When it comes to product design for soft and hard goods, the development process can differ dramatically. From material selection to manufacturing methods, understanding the distinction between these two categories is critical to delivering a high-performing, user-friendly product.
At Kickr Design, our team has deep experience working across both soft and hard goods, plus the hybrid products that bridge the gap. Here’s a closer look at what sets these product types apart, along with real-world case studies that showcase our capabilities.
What Are Soft Goods?
Soft goods typically include textiles and flexible materials—think wearables, bags, apparel, and soft accessories. The focus in designing soft goods is all about the feel, fit, and function.
Key considerations include:
- Material behavior (stretch, breathability, durability)
- Comfort and flexibility during use
- Environmental performance and exposure resistance
- User experience: how the product wears, drapes, and holds up over time
Industries that frequently require soft goods design include outdoor gear, sports, healthcare, military applications, and tech wearables.
Prototyping is essential in this space. It allows us to test for fit, adjust patterns, evaluate materials, and refine the design based on real-world use. We do our sewing prototyping and pattern development in-house to ensure production-ready results.
Case Study – Mantis Gear
We helped Mantis Gear develop a next-gen body armor system aimed at reducing muscle fatigue and improving mobility. The client provided an early prototype; we transformed it into a fully engineered soft goods product with a custom sling system. After just five iterations, we delivered a final design that’s now garnering industry attention.
What Are Hard Goods?
Hard goods refer to products made from rigid materials like injection-molded plastics, metals, and other machined components. These products demand a performance-driven, engineering-first approach.
Key design elements include:
- Precision and tolerance requirements
- Strength and mechanical function
- Manufacturability and tooling readiness
- CAD modeling, DFM, and FEA simulations for validation
Common industries include consumer electronics, automotive, tools, industrial equipment, and manufacturing.
Because tooling and production costs for hard goods are often high, the design process needs to be refined and validated early through digital and physical prototyping.
Case Study – Sum Hydration
Sum Hydration approached us with an innovative idea for a smart beverage dispenser tailored to the fitness world. The concept required integrating hardware, software, and mechanical design. We delivered:
- Custom CAD development
- Prototyping and iteration
- Firmware and PCB development
- Fully functional prototypes for investor presentations and fulfillment planning
What About Hybrid Products?
Some of the most exciting projects blur the lines between soft and hard goods. Think of wearable tech, backpacks with built-in electronics, or outdoor gear with both rigid frames and soft enclosures.
These hybrid designs demand tight collaboration between industrial designers, engineers, and soft goods specialists. At Kickr Design, we pride ourselves on cross-functional teams that bring even the most complex hybrid concepts to life.
Let’s Build Something Together
Whether you’re developing a new soft good, hard good, or something in between, we offer full-spectrum support—from idea to production. We help entrepreneurs, startups, and enterprises bring bold ideas to market through smart design, thoughtful prototyping, and expert engineering.
Have a product idea? Let’s talk.
Reach out here for a free cost estimate and consultation.