PLAE
PLAE is a San Francisco children's footwear brand co-founded by designer Ryan Ringholz and entrepreneur Jonathan Spier. Its shoes use interchangeable tabs for personalisation and are designed to support natural foot development.
| Headquarters | San Francisco, United States |
|---|---|
| Founders | Ryan Ringholz, Jonathan Spier |
| Launch | Summer 2013 |
| Award | Red Dot Award 2014 (Roan) |
| Website | goplae.com |
What is PLAE?
PLAE is a children's shoe brand from San Francisco. It was co-founded by Ryan Ringholz, a product designer who previously led design work for Puma, Diesel, New Balance and UGG, and Jonathan Spier, a Harvard Business School alumnus and founder of NetBase Solutions. The company launched in summer 2013 with the promise of shoes "engineered for fit and customised for fun".
Products and positioning
PLAE applies biometric principles usually associated with elite athletic footwear to protect children's natural foot development. Signature features include:
- Interchangeable tabs and straps that let children personalise their shoes
- The Roan style, which won a Red Dot Award in 2014
- A Growth Spurt Guarantee offering 50% off the next size in the same style if a child outgrows a pair within 30 days
Through its PLAE-it-forward programme, a code at checkout directs 10% of a purchase to a chosen cause.
Why it matters
PLAE was an early example of a venture-backed footwear start-up applying direct-to-consumer thinking and product customisation to the children's shoe category.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded PLAE?
PLAE was co-founded by footwear designer Ryan Ringholz and entrepreneur Jonathan Spier in San Francisco.
What makes PLAE shoes different?
PLAE shoes have interchangeable tabs for personalisation and are designed to support children's natural foot development.