ISPO Award Winner 2025: Torpey Kláw

Torpey, however, is no stranger to pushing boundaries. The brand that has shaped generations of hurleys now turns its attention to an equally important tool: the hand. With the Torpey Klāw, the company introduces a high-performance hurling and camogie glove designed around the anatomy and movement of the human hand and the raw realities of the sport. 

This is not just another padded glove. It’s a rethink—a product built with clinical insight, player feedback, and the idea that athletes should be safeguarded without compromising their performance. The Kláw aims to keep more young athletes in the game, offer elite players uncompromising dexterity, and set a new standard for protective gear in Gaelic sports. 

At the heart of the Kláw lies its defining innovation: a non-Newtonian gel that is soft and flexible when in motion, yet hardens instantly upon contact. Crafted from a blend of vegetable oil, TP, and pre-polymer, this material acts like a responsive shield. Players feel free when catching, striking, and switching grips yet protected when a hurley or sliotar connects with force. 

What makes this technology particularly groundbreaking is how and where it has been applied. Torpey partnered with hand specialist Daniel Harte, who has a Master of Clinical Research, Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, and is a certified hand therapist, to map injury-prone zones across the palmar and dorsal surfaces of the hand. The result is protection that is anatomically engineered to focus on the metacarpals and proximal phalanges—the areas that are most often injured. 

 This targeted approach is especially important in a sport where repetitive trauma is common. Rather than covering the entire hand in bulky padding, Torpey strategically places protective layers where they are needed most. This preserves natural movement while delivering serious protection where it counts. 

The Kláw's standout feature, an exclusive Anti Ball-Bruise Zone, extends this concept further. For the first time in hurling glove design, the palmar side receives dedicated shielding to combat soft tissue bruising caused by high-speed ball impacts. It’s a direct response to one of the most common and frustrating sources of injury in the game. 

A protective glove is only as good as how it feels. The Kláw succeeds in this regard with its open-palm design, which provides a “bare-hand” sensation. By freeing the middle and distal phalanges and the fingertips and second joints, Torpey preserves tactile sensitivity, grip precision, and player confidence. Players can still feel the grain of the hurley, adjust instantly, and pull off reactions that define elite play. 

Moisture-wicking materials keep hands dry, and mono-stretch fabrics enhance freedom of movement. Abrasion-resistant surfaces add durability without stiffness. Every aspect of the glove is designed with ergonomics in mind, from its anthropometrically informed contours to the seamless integration of the Torpey logo into the protective structure.  

The Kláw is also designed with inclusivity in mind. Although it was originally envisioned as a unisex glove, Torpey's development process revealed an important truth: existing options did not adequately serve female athletes. The brand changed direction and developed a dedicated sizing system based on women’s anthropometric data. Female players provided feedback throughout the process to ensure that the glove wouldn't just fit, but also perform well. Comfort, sensory feedback, lightweight mobility, and knuckle-specific protection were all refined for women’s hands. 

In a sport where retaining young female athletes is challenging, this attention to detail matters. For many players, a well-fitting, reliable protective glove can mean the difference between frustration and long-term participation. 

„The Torpey Kláw represents six years of relentless innovation and collaboration between clinicians, product designers, and material scientists. Designed and developed at Torpey HQ in Co. Clare, Ireland, and tested at the Sports Technology Institute in Loughborough University, UK, the Kláw brings engineering and sport science together to solve high contact sport’s unique challenge - finding the optimal balance between comfort, protection and performance. While the Torpey Kláw has been developed for hurling, we also see great potential for this product to be used in other contact sports.“, explains Seán Torpey, Managing Director at Torpey. 

Torpey makes it clear that while all hurlers can benefit from the Kláw, its core target group is athletes aged 6–14. These players are the most vulnerable to discouragement from repeated knocks and bruising. If a glove can boost their confidence, ease their fear of injury, and help them maintain a sense of control, it can foster a stronger, more inspired generation of players. 

However, the Kláw isn’t just for youth. Its performance characteristics—smart protection, responsive feel, and anatomical accuracy—make it equally valuable for adult players who demand equipment that enhances their game instead of limiting it. The glove’s design philosophy aligns perfectly with Torpey’s guiding mantra: "Lead, Never Follow." 

• Use of highly innovative materials.
• A user-specific design attracts all players.
• An easy-entry product that makes the sport more attractive.