Frequently Asked Questions
About HybridStep & Membership (The Vision)
What exactly is HybridStep?
What exactly is HybridStep?
HybridStep is much more than a shoe; it is your personal biomechanics lab that allows you to understand your movement. The system consists of two parts: a shoe with advanced sensors embedded inside (the hardware) and the HybridStep Membership (the software and service), which transforms the data from the shoe into meaningful insights for you.
What is your Mission and Vision?
What is your Mission and Vision?
Our Mission: To decode the language of human movement. We aim to shift the world from "reactive healthcare" (treating pain) to "proactive care" (preventing it) by providing accessible, lab-grade biomechanical data.
Our Vision: A world where every step contributes to longevity. We envision a future where technology is invisible, yet your potential is limitless.
Why can't I just buy the shoe? Why is a subscription necessary?
Why can't I just buy the shoe? Why is a subscription necessary?
This is one of the most important questions. The true value we sell is not the hardware itself, but the continuous and evolving intelligence provided by our artificial intelligence platform.
Think of the shoe as the "body" and the Membership as the "brain."
The hardware (the shoe) collects the data, but the true value lies in Neurment IO™, our AI engine that continuously analyzes that data to provide you with coaching, injury prediction, and health insights.
Unlike a standard shoe that depreciates from day one, your HybridStep Membership ensures your system gets smarter every day via software updates, while also covering hardware replacements.
What exactly do I get when I purchase a HybridStep Membership?
What exactly do I get when I purchase a HybridStep Membership?
Your membership is an all-inclusive access to the ecosystem:
- The Hardware (Free): Your chosen model Smart Shoe
- The Intelligence: Unlimited access to the HybridStep App and analysis.
- The Protection: Proactive Injury Risk Assessment and 24/7 Movement Health Monitoring.
- The Refresh: A brand new pair of HybridStep shoes every 12 or 18 months (depending on your plan) to ensure your cushioning and sensors are always fresh.
Who is HybridStep designed for?
Who is HybridStep designed for?
It is for anyone who moves.
While our data is precise enough for elite athletes chasing marginal gains, our insights are designed for:
- Runners & Walkers: Looking to improve efficiency and avoid injury.
- Health Optimizers: Who want to track their longevity metrics.
- Professionals: Who spend all day on their feet and want to improve posture and reduce fatigue.
Technology: About Sensors & Data (The Science)
What's inside HybridStep? How does it work?
What's inside HybridStep? How does it work?
Each HybridStep shoe is equipped with three core sensors designed to capture a complete picture of your movement:
- IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit): Measures the movement, rotation, and speed of your foot in space.
- FSR (Force-Sensing Resistors): Creates a pressure map showing how much force you apply to the ground and where during your stride.
- Stretch Sensor: Measures how your foot arch works like a spring—how much it flexes and how it recoils energy.
The data from these three sensors is fused by our AI, Neurment IO, to produce in-depth analyses that a single sensor could never see.
What's the difference between this system and my smartwatch or other running sensors?
What's the difference between this system and my smartwatch or other running sensors?
There is a fundamental difference: Location and Depth.
- Smartwatches collect data indirectly from the wrist, the last link in the body's kinetic chain.
- Other running sensors are typically clipped onto the shoe and only measure motion (IMU).
- HybridStep, however, is at the source of movement and force: under your foot. This allows us to measure not just motion, but also force applied to the ground (FSR) and your foot's internal mechanics (Stretch Sensor). Being the only platform that can fuse these three data streams is our biggest advantage, making us unrivaled.
Is my data secure? What is the privacy policy?
Is my data secure? What is the privacy policy?
Your biomechanical data is as unique as your fingerprint, and we treat it with the same level of security. We do not collect your personal health data.
All data transferred from your shoe to the cloud is fully masked and anonymised. This means that no data carries a personal signature or is labelled with personal information.
We represent the gold standard in data privacy and are fully compliant with GDPR.
Do the sensors lose accuracy over time?
Do the sensors lose accuracy over time?
No. Our sensors are industrial-grade components designed to outlast the shoe itself. However, the cushioning of any running shoe degrades after 800-1,000 km. This is why our Membership model includes a Hardware Refresh, ensuring you are always running on optimal structure and precision sensors.
Usage: Practical Information (The Experience)
How often do I need to charge the shoe?
How often do I need to charge the shoe?
Our battery life is among the best in the industry. With heavy daily use (8 hours of active use per day), your shoe can last for about 7 days (one week), and with more moderate use, up to 19 days on a single charge. This means you only need to charge it a few times a month.
Is the shoe water-resistant? Can I run in the rain?
Is the shoe water-resistant? Can I run in the rain?
Yes. HybridStep shoes are designed to be water-resistant to withstand daily scenarios like running in the rain and stepping through puddles. However, they are not waterproof; therefore, swimming with the shoe or fully submerging it in water is not recommended.
Will I feel the technology inside the shoe? Is it heavy?
Will I feel the technology inside the shoe? Is it heavy?
No. All sensors and electronic components are integrated into the sole structure of the shoe in a way that is unnoticeable. Our goal is to offer an experience as comfortable and lightweight as your favorite running shoe. You will only feel the results, not the technology.
Can I use the shoes for other sports (basketball, soccer, etc.)?
Can I use the shoes for other sports (basketball, soccer, etc.)?
The first version of HybridStep is primarily designed to analyze walking and running biomechanics. While it will still collect data during sports with high lateral movements and jumps like basketball, the insights we provide are not yet optimized for these fields. We plan to add analysis modules specific to different sports in the future.
How should I clean the shoes?
How should I clean the shoes?
The shoes can be cleaned like a standard athletic shoe. You can wipe the surface with a damp cloth and a mild soap. However, to avoid damaging the electronic components, you should never put the shoe in a washing machine or fully submerge it in water.
App & Software (The Ecosystem)
What phones is the app compatible with?
What phones is the app compatible with?
The app.hybridstep.com mobile application is compatible with all modern smartphones that support Bluetooth 4.2 or higher, running iOS 15 and above, or Android 8 and above.
Can I sync my data with other platforms like Strava or Apple Health?
Can I sync my data with other platforms like Strava or Apple Health?
This is one of the top priorities on our roadmap. One of our first major updates after launch will be to provide integration with popular sports and health platforms.
Will I have to pay extra for new features?
Will I have to pay extra for new features?
No. Your HybridStep Membership includes all current features as well as all new analysis modules, metrics, and coaching features that will be added to the app in the future, at no extra cost.
Subscription: Orders, Returns & Warranty (The Commitment)
What is your return policy?
What is your return policy?
We want you to join the HybridStep Movement with confidence. Therefore, all our memberships come with a 30-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied for any reason within 30 days of receiving your product, you can contact us to return the hardware (we will cover the shipping cost) and receive a full refund of your payment.
What happens if I cancel my membership?
What happens if I cancel my membership?
You can easily cancel your membership at any time through your customer portal, effective from the next billing cycle. When you cancel, your shoe will stop syncing with app.hybridstep.com and collecting new data. This is because the core service is the continuous analysis and insight provided by the membership, not the hardware itself.
Can I pause my membership?
Can I pause my membership?
Yes, we plan to offer an option to pause your membership for a specific period through the customer portal. This feature will be ideal for situations where you need to take a long break, such as an injury.
Is there a warranty for the hardware?
Is there a warranty for the hardware?
Yes. As long as you have an active HybridStep Membership, your hardware is covered by a 1-year warranty against all manufacturing defects, excluding user-caused damage. If you experience an issue, we will replace the faulty product with a new one for you.