The Story of Coppsox: From a Scorching Turf Field to a Brand Built to Remove Discomfort

Coppsox didn’t start as a brand. It started as a problem. During summer games on turf fields, where surface temperatures can reach 120 to 140 degrees, athletes’ feet absorb intense heat through their cleats. Shoes trap that heat, and traditional socks offer little relief. Instead of focusing on performance, athletes are distracted by discomfort. That repeated experience became the foundation for Coppsox. The original goal was simple: create something that would allow people to enjoy what they’re doing and focus on performance rather than being limited by heat and discomfort. As the founder says, "I wanted to create something that would let people enjoy the experience more and focus on their performance rather than being uncomfortable." Because the founder plays college soccer, he has been able to share and test Coppsox within the high-level collegiate community, gaining feedback from athletes performing at a high level.

Freshman Year: The Cooling Insole Idea

Coppsox’s journey started in Shreiner’s freshman year of high school with the concept of a cooling insole to regulate foot temperature for athletes playing on turf. The idea was entered into a school Shark Tank-style competition, placing third overall. Though it did not win, the feedback motivated Shreiner to keep pursuing the concept, focusing on solving a real problem experienced firsthand on the field rather than immediately building a business.

Turning Motivation Into Action

Following the competition, an R&D team was contacted to help turn the concept into a physical prototype. That process quickly revealed the gap between an idea and a viable product. Through testing and iteration, it became clear that the insole approach had limitations. It could not efficiently move heat away from the foot, nor could it realistically address sweat, odor, and circulation at the same time. A different solution was needed if the product was going to truly help people.

The Pivot: From Insole to Copper Infused Sock

That realization led to a critical pivot: shifting from an insole to a copper infused performance sock. The product was originally designed with cooling in mind, but development quickly revealed additional benefits. By engineering copper infused fibers throughout the sock to transfer heat away from the foot, the system also reduced sweat buildup, limited odor through copper’s antimicrobial properties, supported blood flow and circulation, and improved comfort during long periods of activity. Cooling was the starting point. Performance, comfort, and recovery became the outcome. The sock proved to be more practical, more wearable, and most importantly, more effective.

Entering the Market and Shark Tank Redemption

With a working product, Coppsox transitioned from concept to business. The brand began selling online through Amazon and Coppsox.com, gaining early customer feedback and learning the realities of manufacturing, fulfillment, and retail. During senior year of high school, Coppsox was entered into Shark Tank again. This time, it was backed by a working prototype and a clearer business model. Coppsox won the competition, validating the importance of persistence, iteration, and execution.

Growth, Partnerships, and Service

As Coppsox continued to grow, it expanded beyond direct-to-consumer online sales and into retail distribution, making the socks available in stores alongside Amazon and Coppsox.com. The brand also began partnering with sports clubs, teams, ministries, and nonprofit organizations. Through these partnerships, Coppsox has helped supply socks to underprivileged kids who want to get into sports in Central America, South America, and India. What began as a performance product for athletes also became a way to serve others, expand access to sports, and make high-quality copper infused socks widely available.

The Patent: Protecting the Innovation

After continued development, testing, and real world use, it became clear that the Coppsox heat transfer system was genuinely distinct. This led to pursuing intellectual property protection. Coppsox now holds a patent on its technology, protecting the system itself rather than simply the use of copper in a sock. The patent marked a transition from proving that the product worked to protecting what made it work.

Beyond Athletes: Who Coppsox Is For

Coppsox was originally built for athletes, rooted in the founder’s background as a soccer player. Over time, it became clear that the same benefits applied far beyond sports. Today, Coppsox is worn by athletes and runners, construction and trade workers, medical professionals, travelers, and expecting mothers dealing with swelling and circulation. Different lifestyles face the same underlying problems of heat, sweat, circulation issues, and discomfort.

What People Say

Across industries, feedback has been consistent. People report reduced foot fatigue, less odor after long days, improved comfort on hot surfaces, and continued use beyond work or training. The outcome remains the same across use cases: fewer distractions and better focus.

The Mission

Coppsox exists to remove physical discomfort so people can focus on what they are called to do, whether that means competing, working, serving others, or navigating daily life. The brand is built with an emphasis on stewardship, intentional design, and service. Coppsox is guided by the belief that ideas and opportunities are meant to be used responsibly to create products that genuinely help people and honor a greater purpose beyond profit.

Looking Forward

Coppsox continues to grow with a clear focus moving forward: ongoing product improvement, expanded partnerships, increased impact, and staying grounded in the original purpose. What began as a response to scorching turf and athlete discomfort has grown into a brand centered on comfort, performance, and service. This is still only the beginning.