What are Engineered and Technical softgoods?

Softgoods refer to products primarily made from soft, flexible materials, offering benefits in ergonomics, cushioning, durability, and aesthetics. Examples include backpacks, sporting equipment, health monitoring devices, and safety gear, among others. These are made from materials like special fabrics, molded EVA foams, rubber, elastomers, and gels, differing from products made of plastics, metal, or composites.

In many instances, softgoods integrate hard components or electronics, such as sensors, displays, and controls, exemplified by the Oculus. Their construction involves various techniques like industrial sewing, ultrasonic or RF welding, computer-controlled knitting or weaving, injection and compression molding, mechanical fastening, and bonding. 

The design process of soft goods includes unique considerations. Material selection, seam allowances, pattern design, and component assembly play key roles. For instance, in compression molded foam parts, as seen in a Bose headset case or barcode scanner holster, details like fabric lamination and integration into a sewn assembly must be considered.