What Cadense Inc. does

Cadense Inc. is a Goleta, California-based adaptive footwear company founded in 2021 (with underlying research dating to 2011 at MIT). It designs and sells shoes built around patented Variable Friction Technology (VFT), a glide-to-grip sole system featuring elevated nylon pucks on the sides of the sole that provide low friction during foot swing and an articulated foam rocker that engages high-friction grip zones when weight is applied. The technology was developed by Dr. Tyler Susko, a robotics specialist and UC engineering professor, in collaboration with Dr. Elliot Hawkes, building on the MIT Skywalker gait research.

The product portfolio includes Original Adaptive Sneakers (men's and women's), the AERIO Sandal-Slide Hybrid, Havena Adaptive Slippers, and an AFO-specific shoe for ankle-foot orthosis users, complemented by accessories such as a Toe Assist Kit, Sit-to-Stand Transition Mat, Shoe Care Kit, and Energy Boost Socks developed with Celliant. Prices range from $149.99 to $229.99 per pair. Cadense targets individuals with walking difficulties from foot drop, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson's disease, neuropathy, cerebral palsy, age-related decline, and AFO brace use, supported by condition-specific landing pages and a network of 700+ recommending medical professionals.

Revenue is generated through direct-to-consumer e-commerce on a Shopify-powered website, supplemented by phone and email support and a clinician referral channel (the Cadense Coaches Program). The company ships to the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. (as of late October 2025). Cadense reports 40,000+ customers and is a portfolio company of the AARP AgeTech Collaborative. It operates with 1–10 employees and has raised a modest $775,000 funding round in 2026, with no disclosed revenue.

Name

Cadense Inc.

Legal name

Cadense Inc.

Website

https://cadense.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cadense Inc. is a private adaptive footwear company that designs and sells shoes with patented Variable Friction Technology for individuals with walking difficulties from foot drop, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson's, neuropathy, AFO brace use, and age-related mobility decline.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Footwear

NAICS

Footwear Manufacturing (31621), Footwear Manufacturing (316210), Shoe Retailers (458210), Shoe Retailers (45821)

SIC

Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842), Retail-Shoe Stores (5661)

akta.pro primary industry

Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear (CRAAACAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comfort, Orthopedic & Medical Footwear Retail (CRAAADAG), Athletic Footwear Manufacturing (Running/Training/Court) (IMAOAIAA)

Keywords

• Adaptive footwear
• Mobility shoes
• Fall prevention shoes
• Orthotic footwear
• Assistive walking shoes

Headquarters

HQ city

Goleta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Adaptive Footwear Sales: One-time purchase of adaptive shoes (Original Adaptive Sneakers, AERIO Sandals, Havena Slippers, AFO Shoes) sold directly to consumers through the e-commerce website. Prices range from $149.99 to $229.99 per pair. Additional revenue from accessory products.
2. Accessories and Consumables: Sale of complementary products including the Sit-to-Stand Transition Mat ($19.99), Toe Assist Kit ($19.99), Shoe Care Kit ($19.99), and Energy Boost Socks, which can be sold alongside or independently of the main footwear products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cadense designs, manufactures, and sells adaptive footwear built around its patented Variable Friction Technology (VFT), a sole system that uses elevated nylon pucks and articulated foam rockers to enable a glide-to-grip walking motion, reducing toe-catch and improving stability. The portfolio covers adaptive sneakers, sandal-slide hybrids, slippers, and AFO-specific shoes sold primarily direct-to-consumer via cadense.com, alongside complementary accessories such as the Sit-to-Stand Transition Mat, Toe Assist Kit, Shoe Care Kit, and Energy Boost Socks.

Product overview

Cadense Inc. is a adaptive footwear company offering a portfolio of products built around patented Variable Friction Technology, which uses elevated nylon pucks and articulated rocker foam soles to help feet glide during swing phase and grip during stance phase. The core portfolio consists of the Original Adaptive Sneakers (Men's and Women's), AERIO Sandal-Slide Hybrids (Men's and Women's), Havena Adaptive Slippers, and specialized Adaptive AFO Shoes for brace users. These are complemented by accessory products including the Sit-To-Stand Transition Mat, Toe Assist Kit, Shoe Care Kit, and Energy BOOST Socks (with Celliant Technology). The company targets individuals with walking difficulties including foot drop, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson's, neuropathy, cerebral palsy, and seniors, selling directly via e-commerce with a Clinicians/Coaches Program partnering with physical therapists and medical professionals across the United States.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AERIO: AERIO is the world's first adaptive Sandal-Slide Hybrid, combining lightweight cushioning, breathable comfort, and patented Variable Friction Technology for smoother, steadier movement.
• Havena

Products and services

• Original Adaptive Sneaker (Women's) Flagship adaptive sneaker for women featuring patented Variable Friction Technology with elevated nylon pucks and articulated rocker foam sole that glides during foot swing and grips during weight-bearing, designed for individuals with walking difficulties such as foot drop, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson's, neuropathy, and cerebral palsy.
• Original Adaptive Sneaker (Men's) Flagship adaptive sneaker for men featuring patented Variable Friction Technology with elevated nylon pucks and articulated rocker foam sole that glides during foot swing and grips during weight-bearing, designed to help reduce toe-catch and support smoother, more confident walking.
• AERIO Women's Sandal-Slide Hybrid World's first adaptive Sandal-Slide Hybrid featuring Variable Friction Technology in a summer-ready silhouette with adjustable heel strap convertible between secure sandal mode and relaxed slide mode, breathable mesh upper, and lightweight cushioning, designed for people with walking difficulties to walk safely on indoor and outdoor surfaces.
• AERIO Men's Sandal-Slide Hybrid Men's version of the adaptive Sandal-Slide Hybrid with Variable Friction Technology, convertible between sandal and slide modes, designed to help individuals with mobility challenges walk more naturally and confidently in warm weather.
• Havena Adaptive Slipper Adaptive house slippers featuring adjustable and supportive design elements for comfort and mobility, targeting individuals with walking difficulties such as Parkinson's or stroke recoveries. Available in Sand and Chestnut colors.
• Adaptive AFO Shoe Specialized adaptive shoe designed for users of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs), featuring extra-wide opening with finger loops for easier AFO entry/exit, multiple volume options (E, 3E, 6E), and Variable Friction sole that glides when lifting is difficult and grips for stability during weight-bearing.
• Sit-To-Stand Transition Mat Silicone anti-slip mat (15.5" x 11.5") designed to neutralize the sliding function of Cadense Adaptive Shoes, providing a stable surface for safer transitions from sitting to standing. Compact for home, office, or travel use.
• Toe Assist Kit Front-facing puck accessory that attaches to the tip of Cadense Adaptive Shoes, extending the low-friction surface to the front edge, designed for individuals with severe foot drop or toe dragging to reduce friction and prolong shoe life.
• Cadense Shoe Care Kit Cleaning solution kit tailored for Cadense adaptive shoes, containing foam cleaning solution, brush, and washcloth designed for the unique materials in the shoes.
• Energy BOOST Socks Performance socks developed in partnership with Celliant Technology, designed to complement Cadense adaptive footwear for enhanced comfort and mobility support.
• Cadense Gift Cards Gift card products available for purchase on cadense.com, allowing customers to gift Cadense adaptive footwear.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40,000+ customers served and 700+ medical professionals recommending the product
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Dr. Tyler Susko (Founder)coreOthersDr. Tyler Susko, a robotics specialist and UC engineering professor, developed Cadense's adaptive footwear using Variable Friction Technology derived from MIT robotics research. He developed the technology in collaboration with Dr. Elliot Hawkes. His robotics and engineering expertise is central to the company's proprietary technology.
• Dr. Elliot Hawkes (Co-developer)coreOthersDr. Elliot Hawkes collaborated with Dr. Tyler Susko on the development of adaptive footwear using Variable Friction Technology stemming from MIT robotics research.
• Cadense Coaches Network (Physical Therapists & Medical Professionals)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCadense has partnered with over 700 physical therapists, doctors, and medical professionals across the United States in its Coaches Program. Each Cadense Coach has a physical sample of the shoes and can help patients assess if Cadense is right for them. Locations span multiple states including PA, MD, NJ, CT, NY, VA, RI, NC, WV, and others.
• AARP AgeTech CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCadense is a portfolio company of the AARP AgeTech Collaborative, a major initiative by AARP to identify and support innovative AgeTech companies serving older adults. This partnership provides access to AARP's network and credibility within the aging technology market.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Aetrex: Aetrex is a well-established comfort and orthotic footwear brand with a broader product portfolio (heels, boots, casual, athletic) plus orthotics inserts. It overlaps with Cadense on comfort/orthopedic positioning but serves a much wider audience beyond mobility-impaired patients.
• HOKA: HOKA builds rocker-soled, highly cushioned performance and recovery shoes that are increasingly used by seniors and rehab patients. While not adaptive-specific, HOKA's maximalist rocker geometry competes for the same fall-prevention and recovery-conscious buyer as Cadense.
• Skechers (Arch Fit / Hands-Free Slip-ins): Skechers' Arch Fit and Slip-ins lines target comfort, hands-free entry, and orthotic support at mass-market price points, overlapping with Cadense's senior and mobility-impairment positioning at far greater scale, distribution, and lower prices.
• Nike (FlyEase / Adaptive line): Nike's FlyEase and Adaptive lines target easier entry and inclusive design for users with disabilities, putting Nike in the adaptive-footwear conversation with massive brand, retail, and R&D resources. While Nike is much broader, FlyEase directly competes with Cadense for adaptive-shoe consideration among athletes and active patients.

Direct peers

• Dr. Comfort: Dr. Comfort manufactures and sells medical-grade footwear, including diabetic shoes and custom orthotics, prescribed through clinicians and sold via DME channels. Cadense and Dr. Comfort both serve patients with mobility and chronic conditions and rely on clinician endorsement as a core distribution lever.
• Drew Shoe: Drew Shoe is a heritage orthopedic footwear brand producing therapeutic and diabetic shoes with removable insoles for custom orthotics. It overlaps directly with Cadense's condition-targeted medical footwear positioning, though Drew leans more on wholesale and clinician prescription while Cadense sells DTC.
• Orthofeet: Orthofeet is the closest direct peer: a DTC brand selling orthopedic and adaptive footwear targeted at foot pain, neuropathy, diabetes, plantar fasciitis, and other mobility conditions, with similar condition-specific marketing and premium pricing. Both brands compete head-to-head for the same MS, neuropathy, and senior consumer.
• Apis Footwear: Apis specializes in extra-depth, extra-wide orthopedic and diabetic footwear for hard-to-fit feet, including AFO and brace accommodation. It competes directly with Cadense's AFO Shoe line and broader medical footwear positioning.

Emerging players

• Billy Footwear: Billy Footwear builds zip-around adaptive shoes originally for children with disabilities, expanding into adult adaptive lines. It shares Cadense's adaptive mission and ease-of-entry design language, but at smaller scale and with a different aesthetic and age focus.
• Kizik: Kizik is an emerging hands-free footwear brand whose step-in, hands-free design serves consumers with mobility, dexterity, or back limitations — a partial overlap with Cadense's adaptive use cases. Both are digitally native, premium-priced, and marketed around ease of use for people who struggle with conventional shoes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cadenseadaptive
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CadenseAdaptive
• Facebookfacebook.com/cadenseadaptive
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cadense
• Instagraminstagram.com/cadenseadaptive
• Pinterestpinterest.com/cadenseadaptive
• TikToktiktok.com/@walkwithcadense

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cadense Inc.