BMW uses 3D printing for German bobsleigh team’s footwear

Most sports are dictated by the skill and prowess of the athletes competing but there are also some sports where the sportswear and footwear that they wear can contribute to how they perform. But not all of these sports have customizable or flexible footwear to help the athletes out. Bobsleigh is one such sport and with the Winter Olympics a year away, Germany is partnering with BMW to give their team better footwear to help them compete at the top level.

Designer: BMW

The BMW Group is the technology partner of the German Bobsleigh, Luge, and Skeleton Federatin (BSD) and they have come up with customizable spiked shoes for the bobsleigh team using the power of 3D printing. Regular bobsleigh footwear have defined rows of nails attached to the toe area but these are not replaceable or moveable. Based on track and field shoes, which are more flexible, they came up with threads for screw spikes which are used to attach spike plates on which spike nails can be distributed.

This means that the spikes can be adjusted to a large selection of shoe styles, sizes, and other aspects to make them more comfortable and suitable for the athletes’ needs. You can also adjust the material and geometry of the plates and the placement of the spike nails, giving better acceleration according to the power transmission on the ice. And since 3D printing is used, they get to be more flexible and test out the spikes and make adjustments, without having to spend a fortune and spend so much time manufacturing.

They were able to test out the spike plates during the Bobsleigh World Cup (which ends later this month) and so far, they were able to get positive feedback from the athletes that they made them for. Of course there are still changes that need to be made but they do have 11 months to go for it before the Winter Olympics in February 2025. We’ll also see by then what effect these spikes have on the German team’s performance.

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Innovative modular shoe insole lets you switch between comfort, pain relief, and athletic performance

With a modular design that lets you add and replace inserts under your heel and metatarsal area, the EcoDasher is perhaps the only shoe insert to let you choose exactly how much support or shock absorption you want in your footwear. Perfect for pretty much any occasion, these replaceable pads let you customize your shoes to suit your exact needs, whether it’s for all-day comfort, foot-alignment, pain relief, or even endurance and athletic performance. The same insole transforms to help assist your foot and posture, working remarkably well for work, sports, leisure, and everything in between, giving your shoes the practical edge they need. The EcoDasher shoe insole makes fashion functional again!

Designers: Ethan Lin & Johnny Lv

Click Here to Buy Now: $39 $69.99 ($30.99 off). Hurry, only 7/30 discounted pairs left!

Most insoles just provide lift or arch support, but the EcoDasher isn’t most insoles. The distinct difference in the EcoDasher’s design lies in the two removable pads at the base, and the multiple pad options that come with each insole. Each pad bestows different properties on your insole. Think of your insole as a camera, and the pads as different lenses. Some lenses give you telephoto capabilities, others let you go ultra-wide, and some allow you to go up-close in macro… the pads work the same way, giving your foot just the right amount of support it needs throughout the day and through different activities.

The EcoDasher’s design takes inspiration from the shape of a horse saddle, with curves that support the arches of your foot. The insole’s flexible design provides the right balance between adaptability as well as foot support, letting you get the most out of the shoes you wear. The pads on the bottom help provide the right amount of cushioning depending on your activities. Harder pads give support, softer ones give long-lasting comfort, and special shock-absorbing pads help provide that bounce while running, training, or engaging in any activity.

The two pads sit at strategic positions, right underneath the impact points of your feet. The heel pad, as its name rightfully suggests, sits directly underneath the heel, while the other metatarsal pad sits underneath the transverse arch, or the area between your toe and heel that comes in contact with the floor when you stand on tip-toes. The metatarsal pad comes in 3 varieties – an Oceanfoam pad that offers mild support, the Rebound pad for moderate support, and a FIT pad for extra support. Meanwhile, the heel pad boasts 4 options, Oceanfoam, Rebound, FIT, and an additional Comfort MAX that’s perfect for pain relief.

Together, the 7 pads offer up to 20 unique combinations that you can experiment with to find the ones that suit your requirements the best. Depending on your foot shape, body type (height and weight), fitness, and the activity you engage in, you can choose which pads serve your needs the best (or even use the EcoDasher without pads if all you want is a foot-hugging insole). The interchangeable pads help overcome a variety of scenarios, from daily wear to athletics, or from pain-relief to just simple foot-alignment (for people with flat feet or bad posture). With time, you’ll be able to understand exactly what your feet need throughout the day, helping you adjust your insole accordingly for unmatched comfort.

The EcoDasher still manages to have one more trick up its sleeve, and the clue sits right in its name. While most insoles are made from virgin synthetic memory foam, the EcoDasher is made from a combination of algae-based materials and recycled plastic waste. The insole itself is designed using broken-down plastic waste, and is made to be entirely recyclable, ensuring it never ends up in a landfill or the ocean. Meanwhile, the Oceanfoam pad inserts are derived from algae, and are designed to degrade into natural materials when discarded. Overall, the entire insole is made from 80% recycled materials, and comprises 47% biodegradable elements, while the remaining 53% can be recycled into other plastic products. Unlike other natural materials like cork, the EcoDasher insole is also designed to be flexible without cracking/breaking, and is also breathable and innately anti-bacterial.

Each EcoDasher offers 5 different colors to choose from and is available across 10 different sizes (which can further be trimmed to fit perfectly into your shoes. The pair of insoles ship with 14 pads in total (7 per foot), along with a nifty guide that helps you understand which pads to use based on need. The entire kit comes packaged in a plastic-free FSC-certified paper box which can be recycled after you receive your EcoDashers. The EcoDasher ships globally, starting at a Kickstarter-special discounted price of $39.

Click Here to Buy Now: $39 $69.99 ($30.99 off). Hurry, only 7/30 discounted pairs left!

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Moonwalker X robotic shoes arrive at CES 2024 with improved maneuverability and lightweight modular design

Back in 2022, a pair of motorized shoes dubbed Moonwalker burst into the scene, promising to be the fastest pair on the planet. Developed by Shift Robotics, they hook onto your regular shoes and give you superhuman abilities to glide, as if you’re you are moonwalking.

The Austin-based maker has again touched base at CES 2024 with an improved version called Moonwalker X, and we got hands-on time with these AI-powered shoes at the event. According to founder and CEO Xunjie Zhang, “In developing X, our focus was clear: enhancing productivity without compromising safety.” We second this vision as the product is proud recipient of the “Best of CES 2024” award.

Designer: Shift Robotics

The intended use for these robotic shoes is for commercial and business applications where speed and productivity is the key. For example, in a warehouse or manufacturing facility where human movement needs to be optimized while saving effort for efficiency. That said, the Moonwalker X’s can be put to good use in daily life too – for instance – hurrying to your office in the morning time or commuting in the crowded city streets. There have been other iterations of such rollerblades on steroids like the Segway – Ninebot Drift W1 and Hoverwheel, but they’ve not smashed the popularity button as expected.

In our experience with the robotic shoes at the event in Las Vegas, they do feel lighter being 3.2 pounds each – almost a pound lighter than the original version. Compared to the previous iteration they are slightly smaller and as an added perk are highly modular too for repairability. The AI control system has been re-engineered for better control in tight spaces and the shock absorption capabilities have also been honed. If you’ve keenly followed the progress of the Moonwalker, you’ll notice the number of wheels on each shoe has now been reduced to six from the 10 wheels on the original version.

Shift Robotics has not yet revealed anything about the pricing and says that it’ll be announced in the first half of 2024 when they’ll be ready to ship.

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This wooden shoe rack doubles as a bench and a tray for transient bodies and objects

A lot of the clutter and missing items in our homes are caused by having no proper place to put our stuff. Whether they’re keys or shoes, small objects can lead to big messes when left anywhere and everywhere. Sometimes, it’s not enough just to have a place to put them; you also have to be smart in where you actually place these objects’ homes. Things that you take with you outside but not indoors are often best left near the door, but that space might not always be the best location for shelves. This design concept offers a rather elegant solution to this multi-layer problem, providing a more permanent fixture for temporary things like shoes, keys, earbuds, and even your own tired body.

Designer: Joao Teixeira

Shoe racks are not an uncommon sight inside houses, apartments, and living spaces. More often than not, their placed by the door to make it easy to put shoes on when leaving and have a convenient spot to leave them after you’ve taken them off. Due to the space these pieces of furniture occupy, however, they usually serve a single purpose only and have almost no other use except for shoe storage. It’s practically wasted space, especially if you don’t have that many shoes there to begin with.

Inspired by traditional Japanese architecture like torii gates, “Tokyo” is a shoe rack that goes above and beyond the call of duty, at least if you want it to. It actually serves two other functions in addition to holding your shoes. The cushioned top serves as a comfy bench, perfect for when you need to sit down to take a breather or put on shoes. There is a small tray on one side that lets you put down your phone, keys, and other knick-knacks for a while. Given the multi-functional design of the concept, it’s something that can easily be placed near the door or against any wall. Yes, it will take up a length of space, but you’re getting three for the price of one.

What’s even more impressive is how this design implements those three functions in a beautifully minimalist manner. Like many of Joao Teixeira’s furniture concepts, it involves using bent planks of plywood to achieve simple yet sophisticated-looking forms. In this case, the two legs are bent at opposite angles, but one of them extends upward and curves embrace the cushion, creating a completely flat and solid surface to act as a temporary holding area for small objects. Structural support is provided by a pseudo three-centered arch, also made from bent plywood, that creates a shelf for larger things.

Admittedly, Tokyo hardly looks like any typical shoe rack, which makes it an ideal piece of furniture to place anywhere. The large empty space at the bottom can be home for taller shoes and boots, while the shelf can hold sandals, loafers, sneakers, and similar footwear. Of course, it could also be used to hide books, foldable umbrellas, or other things you might want to quickly grab before you rush out the door. Either way, this shoe rack and bench in one provides a convenient and charming place for shoes and small items, not to mention a comfortable way to catch your breath after coming back home.

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Bugatti x adidas X Crazyfast is the sweetest blue football boot for those who appreciate speed and precision

In a thrilling new collab, luxury meets athleticism; The result? A mesmerizing, limited edition football boot that transcends the ordinary in a flashing harmony of Bugatti and adidas.

Meet the adidas X Crazyfast Bugatti: Crafted as an ode to speed and precision, this remarkable cleat is a fusion of adidas’ X Crazyfast laced boot and the vivid heritage of early Bugatti Grand Prix cars. But these boots aren’t just about pace; they encapsulate the ethos of “Form Follows Performance,” mirroring the very design philosophy that underpins the creation of Bugatti’s hypersports cars.

Designer: adidas x Bugatti

Limited to merely 99 pairs, each X Crazyfast exudes opulence with bespoke Bugatti design elements, making them an emblem of exclusivity. Notably, on the sides are mantras that capture the core values of both companies: adidas‘ “Impossible is Nothing” and Bugatti’s “Create the Incomparable,” symbolizing its relentless pursuit of pushing the limits in sports and automotive engineering.

The infusion of carbon fiber in the boot’s construction makes it lightweight and sturdy. The choice of material plays along with Bugatti’s use of material in exclusive engineering. But the soul of these football boots lies in adidas’ revolutionary Speedframe sole plate, technology that ensures both feather-like weight and formidable strength, enabling lightning-fast acceleration, from where the name is drafted.

The Aeropacity Speedskin, a single-layer breathable mono mesh not only helps with swiftness but also provides stability. It is designed in Bugatti’s iconic hue; the recognizable Bugatti Blue, which aligns it with the brand’s aesthetic. Add to this the boot’s Aerocage lining for support and stability, and these shoes wear snugly akin to the high-performance standards upheld by Bugatti, and requisite of the high-delivery performer on the pitch.

Much like the hyper sports cars, these boots are destined to become cherished collectibles. To add to their exclusivity, the X Crazyfast will be shipped in a unique box designed from carbon fiber, and sold through a very distinctive approach. The 99 pairs will be auctioned via the adidas Collect Web 3 platform from the 8 through 11 of November.

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These All-Day Shoes Are Designed To Be The ‘World’s Most Comfortable Eco-Friendly Footwear’

Clogs get a bad rap because ‘a certain brand’ tarnished their reputation with excessive marketing and overstyling. The truth is, these are some of the most comfortable shoes ever made, and ACTMOS is helping solidify that reputation even more. The average daily-wage worker spends more than half of their day standing. In the US alone, the food service industry sees workers spending more than 90% of their time on their feet, while the healthcare industry has people standing for 70% of their entire job. Needless to say, bad shoes lead to bad posture, which leads to fatigue, sore feet, flat arches, and even injury. Designed keeping ergonomics and on-the-go lifestyles in mind, the ACTMOS comes with a form that gets its seal of approval from doctors, nurses, and service workers, who spend more than half their day on their feet. Styled like the ubiquitous clog but with a more comfort-forward design, the ACTMOS shoes are soft, flexible, non-slip, and well-ventilated. It also helps that they’re designed with eco-friendly materials, ditching the pure EVA foam for 34% biopolymers and 5% biomass.

Designers: Sul A Han, Da Heen Jung & Hyun Ju Lee

Click Here to Buy Now: $75 $105 (25% off). Hurry, only 70/100 left!

While the ACTMOS by VLOMFY gets its approval from the healthcare workforce, the fact that it’s designed for the 95th percentile makes it the perfect footwear for practically anything. Whether you’re doing a quick grocery run or trekking in the outdoors, the comfort and grip the ACTMOS provides lends itself to easier navigation and longer standing without the associated fatigue. It’s perfect for gardening with, has an entirely waterproof design making it ideal for the beach or even the poolside, and gets you through all phases of life whether it’s pregnancy, old age, or even physical recovery.

Non-slip Outer Sole – Prevents slips and stumbles when worn in potentially slippery environments.

Flexible Ridges – Designed with varying thicknesses to allow flexible movement in coordination with your toes and foot bones, this ergonomic design feature means that ACTMOS will not become damaged or wear down more quickly.

No-leak Vents – The triangular vent holes for ACTMOS specifically to prevent liquids from spilling onto the shoe and making you feel uncomfortable.

Ultra-wide Fit – ACTMOS’s wide base allows your foot to sit comfortably within the shoe. It does not scrunch up your toes or add unnecessary pressure to your foot.

Heel Strap – The placement and angle of the heel strap have been specifically chosen to reduce the likelihood of blisters, friction, and discomfort on the heel bone.

The ubiquitous shape of the ACTMOS shoe features a slip-on design that’s quick to wear, with a heel strap that ensures your shoe stays on even as you run from one place to another. The ultra-wide fit houses your foot perfectly, ensuring it doesn’t squeeze your feet from the sides like most traditional shoes, and the soft elastomeric design and ridged top allows it to flex naturally with your feet as you move around. A grippy outsole keeps your feet firmly planted on the ground whether it’s smooth marbled flooring, cobbled pathways, or even the rough terrain of a hillside… and vented sides keep the air-flow going so your feet can breathe naturally, preventing them from becoming sweaty with long work-hours or wear-times.

All Day Long – Designed to provide the most comfortable fit for nurses, doctors, and surgeons who stand on their feet for long periods of time, typically over 12-hour shifts.

The Actmos Polymer – Contains 34% bioplastic sourced from corn and potatoes, and 5% biomass sourced from clam powder.

Sustainability also plays a pivotal role in the ACTMOS’ design. Made to be worn for hours at end, the shoe is built keeping durability in mind. Its unibody design doesn’t come apart or tear at the seams like most regular footwear does, giving you a shoe that lasts dramatically longer than others. At the same time, while most unibody shoes come made entirely from synthetic EVA foam, the ACTMOS Eco-polymer contains up to 39% natural materials, reducing the amount of synthetic plastic used. Roughly 34% of the ACTMOS’ material comprises bioplastic sourced from corn and potatoes, and 5% of the material is biomass sourced from clam powder. This use of sustainable natural materials lowers each shoe’s overall negative impact on the environment by nearly 40%.

Each ACTMOS comes in 3 colors – black, navy blue, and deep khaki. The lack of vibrant colors and flashy designs is a stark contrast from the other unibody clogs you’d see from bigger brands, but after all, the ACTMOS was designed keeping in mind daily-wage workers who spend their entire day standing. It still has a universal appeal, with just how comfortable it is, as well as how versatile it is. The shoes start at $75 a pair, and come in 8 unisex sizes that you can choose from.

Click Here to Buy Now: $75 $105 (25% off). Hurry, only 70/100 left!

The post These All-Day Shoes Are Designed To Be The ‘World’s Most Comfortable Eco-Friendly Footwear’ first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 5 Futuristic Footwear Designs You’ll Be Itching To Get Your Feet Into

With our hectic lives which pretty much involve us running around all day, the right footwear can make a world of difference. Shoes started off as functional designs meant to protect our feet, and yes we need to pick ones that do exactly that, BUT, they should also reflect our style statements and represent our personality and our personal fashion sense. After all, don’t they say that you can tell a lot about a man by the state of his shoes? Personally, I love a good pair of sturdy and stylish sneakers, ones that can get me through the day without giving me any shoe bites, and also match my outfits. However, I do know that this isn’t the case with everybody. People have high demands and expectations when it comes to their footwear, hence designers are unleashing all of their creative juices, leaving no stones unturned in making unique, innovative, and ergonomic shoes. From a laceless shoe concept to Marvel x Nike Football sneakers – these footwear designs are as futuristic, inventive, and fashionable as they can get!

1. Marvel x Nike Football Sneakers

Paul Parsons created the Marvel x Nike football sneakers using MidJourney’s AI. These spectacular sneakers successfully capture the glory and grandeur of the MCU’s iconic heroes and antiheroes. The series includes 9 different footwear models, which are dedicated to the distinctive characters from the Avengers movie, and Wolverine as well!

2. Zaidmann’s Shoes

Created by Zaidmann, this unique shoe design includes two modules that can be attached to build an environmentally friendly silhouette. The shoe is made using two parts – the knitted upper, and a TPU outsole. The shoe features a modular design that allows the wearer to mix and match different pairings for different looks.

3. Plastic Soul

Los Angeles streetwear brand Rose In Good Faith collaborated with sex toy manufacturer Doc Johnson to form a pair of shoes using plastic recycled from sex toys. The entire shoe is created by utilizing a combination of plastic sourced from unused adult toys that have been damaged and non-bleached Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) foam.

4. The Laceless Poseidon

The Laceless Poseidon breaks the mold of how footwear is usually designed, it doesn’t have the usual body of a shoe, instead, it looks like it is enveloped by an alien substance. The Poseidon’s outsole and body merge into one, with organic patterns that look like fingerprints, adding a unique and innovative touch to the shoe’s overall aesthetic.

5. Rewild the Run Sneakers

A graduate of the London University Central Saint Martins, Kiki Grammatopoulos, created a rather unique running shoe that spreads plants and seeds throughout the cities. The outsoles of the shoes are inspired by bison hoofs, and they are designed to encourage people to get involved with rewilding.

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Adidas Allows Homer Simpson To Take Center Stage on Stan Smith Sneakers

In today’s interconnected digital age, memes have become a language of their own, transcending traditional forms of communication and bridging gaps between introverts and extroverts alike. These quirky, often relatable snippets of humor have the power to create communities founded on shared interests and a collective sense of amusement. Riding this wave of contemporary culture, numerous clothing brands have tapped into the world of memes, leveraging their relevance to create products that resonate with meme-loving audiences. Notably, even iconic brands like Adidas have embraced this trend, blending the worlds of memes and fashion in unexpected and delightful ways.

Designer: Adidas

As the world navigated through the challenges of the COVID-19 era, The Simpsons emerged as a symbol of intrigue and even anticipation due to some strikingly coincidental plotlines. The show’s memes, characterized by their widespread relevance and global reach, have cemented The Simpsons’ place in the modern cultural landscape. Leveraging this phenomenon, Adidas has made a shrewd move by selecting a character that seamlessly integrates with its signature color palette and appeals to the meme-loving crowd.

Adidas has seamlessly woven the iconic world of The Simpsons into its renowned Stan Smith sneakers, creating a symbiotic fusion that transcends fashion trends. Following in the footsteps of Marge Simpson, who previously adorned the tennis shoe with her distinctive blue hair, the spotlight is now on her lovable yet hapless husband, Homer. This evolution feels like a natural progression that elicits enthusiastic shouts of “D’oh!” from fans and enthusiasts alike.

Homer Simpson, renowned for his eccentric escapades and endearing quirks, Homer’s iconic presence has been imprinted onto the timeless silhouette of Adidas’ Stan Smith sneakers. With a keen sense of aesthetics, Adidas has masterfully incorporated one of Homer Simpson’s most famous scenes into its design, a scene where Homer backs into a bush, instantly recognizable to meme enthusiasts worldwide.

Gif

The classic vegan leather silhouette of the Stan Smith sneaker retains its minimalist charm, but now, the heel tab is transformed into a canvas for creative expression. An embroidered artwork of Homer Simpson’s unmistakable silhouette, retreating into a lush backdrop of green fleece, adds a playful twist to the classic design. This ingenious integration of a meme-worthy moment transforms the sneaker into a conversation starter, a piece of wearable art that encapsulates humor and style.

Homer’s humor-laden face peeks out from underneath the laces of the shoe’s tongue, a cheeky update that’s sure to bring a smile to anyone who notices. Even the sides of the shoe don’t escape the Simpson treatment; the Stan Smith logo is playfully replaced with Homer’s name, further solidifying the marriage between sneaker and meme.

The attention to detail is paramount, extending beyond the shoes themselves. Custom sock liners adorned with memorable Simpsons characters and a specially designed box that pays homage to the iconic meme complete the package. Even Adidas’ trademark triple stripes are ingeniously incorporated into the design, now an integral part of the foliage that surrounds Homer’s animated escapade.

With a price tag of $120, these Simpson-themed Stan Smith sneakers offer more than just footwear; they embody a cultural shift where fashion, humor, and shared experiences intertwine. Available for purchase through Adidas retailers and online platforms, these sneakers serve as a testament to Adidas’ ability to capture the zeitgeist while maintaining its classic appeal.

In a world where memes have become a modern form of communication, Adidas has not only recognized their significance but has artfully transformed this digital language into tangible fashion. By embracing the universality of memes and harnessing the enduring appeal of The Simpsons, Adidas has once again solidified its place as a trailblazer in merging contemporary culture with timeless style. So, for all the meme lovers out there, it’s time to lace up in a pair of Homer Simpson Stan Smiths and stride confidently into a world where fashion, humor, and iconic moments collide.

The post Adidas Allows Homer Simpson To Take Center Stage on Stan Smith Sneakers first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 Sleek & Futuristic Footwear For The Hardcore Sneaker Geeks

With our hectic lives which pretty much involve us running around all day, the right footwear can make a world of difference. Shoes started off as functional designs meant to protect our feet, and yes we need to pick ones that do exactly that, BUT, they should also reflect our style statements and represent our personality and our personal fashion sense. After all, don’t they say that you can tell a lot about a man by the state of his shoes? Personally, I love a good pair of sturdy and stylish sneakers, ones that can get me through the day without giving me any shoe bites, and also match my outfits. However, I do know that this isn’t the case with everybody. People have high demands and expectations when it comes to their footwear, hence designers are unleashing all of their creative juices, leaving no stones unturned in making unique, innovative, and ergonomic shoes. From the world’s first net-zero carbon shoe to Marvel x Nike Football sneakers – these footwear designs are as futuristic, inventive, and fashionable as they can get!

1. Marvel x Nike Football Sneakers

Paul Parsons managed to concoct the ultimate Marvel X Nike football sneakers using MidJournye’s AI. These innovative sneakers successfully capture the grandeur of some of the MCU’s most memorable heroes and antiheroes. The series features 9 different footwear models, dedicated to distinct characters from the Avengers movie and Wolverine as well!

2. URNBC3’s Shoes

These innovative sandals by URNBC3 are designed to order, based on a 3D scan of your foot. The shoes are sustainably built utilizing natural materials that don’t have a harmful impact on the environment. Each shoe is designed to perfectly and uniquely fit the shape of your foot. They’re designed to be a well-stitched suit to your foot!

3. Weaver+ Shoes

We|aver+ or Weaver+ 3D prints a material that is quite close to knitted fabric, except it uses elastic TPU. The printed shoe looks more like chainmail than typical fabrics, but that’s because the hollow-loose knitting structure provides the shoes with the flexibility necessary to support the growth of children, while also offering stable support to ensure the heels don’t lose their supplements.

4. NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe

NikeCraft GPS Design

NikeCraft GPS X Tom Sachs Collab

The NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe (GPS) is one of the latest addition to the NikeCraft lineup. The shoe is described as an “Ordinary Shoe for Extraordinary People”, as it enables you to do everything everywhere. The GPS shoes are a celebration of the 10-year collaboration between Tom Sachs and Nike.

5. The M0.0NSHOT

Allbirds launched the M0.0NSHOT – the world’s first net carbon shoe at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen on June 27th. The shoes have a net carbon footprint of net 0.0 kg CO2e, and have a minimal all-grey woolly sock-style trainer form with an upper made from regenerative wool, and a bioplastic midsole. It is supposed to be one of the most sustainable mass-produced shoes we’ve seen till now!

6. Zaidmann’s Shoes

Designed by Zaidmann, this shoe design comprises of two modules that can be attached together to create an environmentally friendly silhouette. It is made in two parts – the knitted upper, and a TPU outsole. The shoe showcases a modular design that permits the wearer to play around with different pairings for a varied look.

7. The Laceless Poseidon

The Laceless Poseidon breaks the mold of how footwear is usually designed, it doesn’t have the usual body of a shoe, instead, it looks like it is enveloped by an alien substance. The Poseidon’s outsole and body merge into one, with organic patterns that look like fingerprints, adding a unique and innovative touch to the shoe’s overall aesthetic.

8. Rewild the Run Sneakers

Kiki Grammatopoulos, a graduate of the London University Central Saint Martins, designed a unique running shoe that spreads plants and seeds in cities. The massive outsoles are inspired by bison hoofs and are designed to encourage people to get involved with the cause of rewilding and to prompt a broader and deeper reevaluation of our relationship with nature.

9. Lamborghini Performance Sneakers

The Lamborghini Performance Sneakers were designed by Hussain Almossawi as a tribute to the automotive icon’s 60-year legacy. The stunning sneakers perfectly capture and represent the company’s raging-bull design aesthetic, while functioning as an edgy and innovative piece of footwear with brilliant surface treatment and drool-worthy glowing details around the midsole and the outsole.

10. The Heaven’s Door

The Heaven’s Door is a unique pair of sneakers with a close-toe design and an open-ish ankle aesthetic, much like a slip-on sandal. The shoe features a leather body, punctuated by an elastic strap along the side, which connects the rear flap to the main shoe. It has a rubber outsole that is pretty comfortable for outdoor use in an urban environment, while also subtly hiding the springs in a recessed channel running along the length of the shoe.

The post Top 10 Sleek & Futuristic Footwear For The Hardcore Sneaker Geeks first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 unique + futuristic footwear sneakerheads should grab today

With our hectic lives which pretty much involve us running around all day, the right footwear can make a world of difference. Shoes started off as functional designs meant to protect our feet, and yes we need to pick ones that do exactly that, BUT, they should also reflect our style statements and represent our personality and our personal fashion sense. After all, don’t they say that you can tell a lot about a man by the state of his shoes? Personally, I love a good pair of sturdy and stylish sneakers, ones that can get me through the day without giving me any shoe bites, and also match my outfits. However, I do know that this isn’t the case with everybody. People have high demands and expectations when it comes to their footwear, hence designers are unleashing all of their creative juices, leaving no stones unturned in making unique, innovative, and ergonomic shoes. From the world’s first net-zero carbon shoe to Marvel x Nike Football sneakers – these footwear designs are as futuristic, inventive, and fashionable as they can get!

1. The M0.0NSHOT

Allbirds launched the M0.0NSHOT – the world’s first net carbon shoe at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen on June 27th. The shoes have a net carbon footprint of net 0.0 kg CO2e, and have a minimal all-grey woolly sock-style trainer form with an upper made from regenerative wool, and a bioplastic midsole. It is supposed to be one of the most sustainable mass-produced shoes we’ve seen till now!

2. Marvel x Nike Football Sneakers

Paul Parsons managed to concoct the ultimate Marvel X Nike football sneakers using MidJournye’s AI. These innovative sneakers successfully capture the grandeur of some of the MCU’s most memorable heroes and antiheroes. The series features 9 different footwear models, dedicated to distinct characters from the Avengers movie and Wolverine as well!

3. Rewild the Run Sneakers

Kiki Grammatopoulos, a graduate of the London University Central Saint Martins, designed a unique running shoe that spreads plants and seeds in cities. The massive outsoles are inspired by bison hoofs and are designed to encourage people to get involved with the cause of rewilding and to prompt a broader and deeper reevaluation of our relationship with nature.

4. The Ultimas

Outdoor equipment brand Cub Cadet designed limited edition shoes called The Ultimate Lawn Mowing Shoes or The Ultimas. The black and yellow pair of shoes perfectly complement the Ultima Series lawn mower that was previously released by the brand and is intended for people who want to wear a cool pair of kicks while mowing their lawns.

5. EXPLR 02

Matthew Blunt designed the EXPLR 02 – a pair of shoes that look like the wireframe you see in 3D modeling software, although it has an even higher resolution and a number of empty spaces. The design takes inspiration from the nature of those digital artifacts. Repeating patterns, organic forms, and an almost chaotic composition all come together to create footwear that is both beautiful and intriguing.

6. Lamborghini Performance Sneakers

Designer Hussain Almossawi designed these super cool Lamborghini Performance Sneakers as a tribute to the automotive icon’s 60-year legacy. The sneakers perfectly capture the company’s raging-bull design aesthetic, while creating an edgy and innovative piece of footwear with excellent surface treatment and drool-worthy glowing details around the midsole and the outsole.

7. The Heaven’s Door

The Heaven’s Door is a unique pair of sneakers with a close-toe design and an open-ish ankle aesthetic, much like a slip-on sandal. The shoe features a leather body, punctuated by an elastic strap along the side, which connects the rear flap to the main shoe. It has a rubber outsole that is pretty comfortable for outdoor use in an urban environment, while also subtly hiding the springs in a recessed channel running along the length of the shoe.

8. AC1 Boot

Designed by Brooklyn-based mischief makers MSCHF, the Ac1 Boot is designed to explore the lighter and fun side of hopping around in walking boots that are intended for rehabilitation from a foot injury. The designer got the idea for the sneakers when he saw a person walking in medical boots down Prince Street in New York.

9. Modern Synthesis’s Shoes

Modern Synthesis is using bacteria to create a pair of shoes! The biotechnology company is now looking at growing or cultivating “microbial textiles” in its laboratory and using this to create a more sustainable material for shoes and other kinds of footwear. They are using the sugar you can derive from plant waste and microbes and then turn it into nanocellulose.

10. UV-Zhu’s Nike Conceptual Series

UV-Zhu’s Nike conceptual series are basically inflatable structures paired up with daily objects resulting in kicks that you would probably never see at the Nike showroom. The ankle straps are made from white garters, silicone, and paper-based tapes. The outsoles have been power-packed with springs so that they can allow the wearer, to walk without actually putting any effort into walking!

The post Top 10 unique + futuristic footwear sneakerheads should grab today first appeared on Yanko Design.