Tag Archives: shoes

These futuristic Iron Man sneakers concepts will make you feel like a superhero

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Over the decades, certain fictional characters have become iconic brands themselves, spurring numerous themed products to tickle fans’ fancies. This is true for childhood friends like Mickey Mouse and Hello Kitty, as well as for more mature characters like superheroes such as Superman, Batman, and Iron Man. Branded apparel often simply use color schemes or character art, but few actually make you feel like the character unless you start getting into the realm of cosplay. These sneakers concept, however, throws all those conventions out the window to present designs that straddle the line between fantasy and reality, making you wish that this footwear did exist just so that you can literally step into the shoes of an iconic superhero.

Designer: Khalil Zahirian

Some superheroes, especially the most popular ones, are designed to be controversial, often to prove that even those who wear tights and capes can be flawed. One shining example is Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, whose escapades as a playboy and an alcoholic may make some question where his moral compass really points to. Few, however, will ever doubt the genius inside the armor, and this collection of sneaker design concepts tries to showcase that creativity in a form that you could wear without looking too overbearing.

There are a few design elements of the Iron Man costume that have become iconic throughout different versions. There are the predominant red and gold colors, of course, but there are also the “Repulsor” lasers that shoot out of the supes’ hands. The movies have also put the spotlight on the glowing blue Arc Reactor chest piece. One important element of the armor that is often overlooked is the boots that make it fly.

All these elements are smashed together in a single piece of footwear that leaves no room for doubt that these are Iron Man sneakers. Not only does the color scheme match expectations, but there are also plenty of embellishments that take the design a few levels higher than simple branded footwear. The cutouts on the top, for example, are clear nods to the aforementioned Arc Reactor, while the blue lights around the soles and even on the outsoles give the image of shoes that are ready to blast off at any moment. The faceted surfaces, atypical of most sneakers, give it an armor vibe, even without the brushed metal finish.

Some elements of these concepts seem to be feasible today since we already have sneakers that light up at every step. Others, like that metallic sheen, might be a little harder to pull off. The shoes are definitely not designed for practical use or even comfort, as there are no clear mechanisms for loosening or tightening them. It definitely comes close to being the ultimate Iron Man sneakers that fans would definitely wear proudly when they finally become reality.

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A viable solution to footwear industry’s waste is this pair of recyclable modular shoe you’ll never get tired of

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Do you want to wear a different colored shoe tomorrow? You’ll either pull it out of your shoe rack or head to the nearest store to pick up a new pair. A few months later, you have two shoe pairs lined up for the landfill or an incinerator. For us that’s only like a loss of favorite shoes. For someone environmentally conscious, it is a deliberate attempt to add to the unrecyclable heap of waste on the planet.

Most of the shoes we wear are made from a mixture of materials that are difficult to break down and thus recycled. Eventually, what we dispose of meets a single unproductive and perilous fate: the landfill! Of course, designers have realized the footwear industry needs alternatives and have been experimenting with 3D printing reusable and eco-friendly materials. Case in point, this pair of recyclable modular shoes.

Designer: Nao Zaidman ­

The solution proposed by Zaidman comprises two modules, which can attach together – most effortlessly – to create an environmentally friendly silhouette. Made in two parts: the knitted upper and a TPU outsole, the shoe boasts a modular design permitting the wearer to play around with different pairings for a varied look.

This the wearer can do with least burden on their shoulder: the modular recyclable knitted shoes are completely recyclable at the end of life. The extra imperative feat is possible because of the 3D printed TPU flexible filament outsole (crafted in a single unit without any adhesives) and a completely elastic yarn mesh upper.

The two-part design becomes one unified pair when the elastic cords (knitted from the same yarn used for the upper) overlaid on the breathable upper are attached to the hooks in the flexible base. “The components are very easy to attach, wear, and take off,” and even allow the wearer the option of replacing a worn-out upper or sole, or retrofitting a different colored upper with an old sole, or a new base with an old upper. So, it’s one shoe pair for a lifetime with zero footprint at the end of life.

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Invisible shoehorn gives your back a break and blends into the background

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We often take for granted how some of the most common tools are poorly designed until we have to deal with them, presuming we even have one around. Granted, not everyone might need a shoehorn to put on their footwear, but when you do, you might end up scrambling to look for one near your door. Worse, you might end up injuring your back because, while it’s designed to help slip your foot into your shoes, a shoehorn doesn’t take the rest of your body into account. Of course, that’s only true for your run-of-the-mill shoehorns that try to be cute and look like a small foot or something similar. A more thoughtful design would be willing to throw away those conventions and break stereotypes, like this rather striking shoehorn that doesn’t look like a shoehorn at all.

Designer: Kairi Eguchi  for Takeda Design Project

Click Here to Buy Now: $255 $299 (15% off and free worldwide shipping at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours.

You definitely wouldn’t recognize this shoehorn if you came across it either near the door or near a shoe rack. Even if you look closely at it, it would simply appear as a half-silver, half-clear rod that stands like a decoration to accentuate your home. It does serve that purpose when it’s not in use, but this “disappearing” shoehorn is definitely one of the most well-designed household tools of its kind.

When you pull out the metal part of the rod from its stand, you get a smooth, polished shoehorn that stands 700mm (around 27in) tall, tapering from the cylindrical handle down to a thin curved tip. At this height, it’s trivial to slip the shoehorn between your foot and your shoe without having to bend down precariously. It would have been simple enough to make a long shoehorn and call it a day, but the ALIGN LINE shoehorn uses that ergonomic design to create something not only useful but also beautiful.

The actual shoehorn is literally only half of the whole product. The other half is a clear acrylic holder that mirrors the shoehorn in shape. The transparent material of the stand creates a distinctive contrast with the stainless steel shoehorn, making it appear as if it’s floating in mid-air. It also helps the design blend with its surroundings, matching with whatever theme or motif you might have going in your home. The dome base is also made from stainless steel and has a low center of gravity to provide stability to the structure. It sits well below the metal tip of the shoehorn, reinforcing that illusion of a piece of metal floating in your house.

The invisible shoehorn’s thoughtful design carries over to the meticulous attention paid to crafting this tool. The shoehorn is carefully finished to ensure a smooth surface that won’t snag and tear delicate socks or stockings when you use it. Small details like these may be almost invisible to the eye but have a big impact in making this steel and clear shoehorn not only an ergonomic tool but also a thing of beauty.

Click Here to Buy Now: $255 $299 (15% off and free worldwide shipping at checkout). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours.

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Top 10 futuristic footwear designs that sneakerheads will absolutely love

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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 Balenciaga high-heel sneakers to “decaying” shoes that are made from organic materials – these footwear designs are as futuristic, inventive, and fashionable as they can get!

1. Balenciaga High-heel Sneakers

This Balenciaga high-heel footwear concept was designed by OJB Studio keeping potential future technologies in mind. “In this Balenciaga concept, [current] manufacturing boundaries and constraints were excluded, with freedom and imagination leading the way”, Ollie of OJB Studio told Yanko Design. “This process enables a fast and efficient way of experimental aesthetic ideation, providing some rather wild, yet desirable designs.” The brief for the specific concept was to create a Balenciaga high heel for the near future, inspired by elements of a sneaker. It’s purely a visual exercise that aims at determining what the future of fashion in the footwear industry will look like.

2. The Kajola Shoe Collection

The Kajola shoe collection is made to look like decaying footwear as the materials used are natural. Because of the way, it’s designed, it’s really more of a piece of artwork than functional footwear. They want to call it “living artifacts” made from various biomaterials like volcanic dust, clay, and even cacao powder and so as the years pass by, it will naturally curl into itself, just like leaves and other organic materials do when they decay. They are named after an area in Nigeria and a trip to local forests. The idea is to push what other things plants can be used to create.

3. 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! Sponges and myriad kinds of soft padding have been squeezed in between these layers, creating comfy cushioning for the wearer. Some of the shoes have also been equipped with a layer of candy, and eccentric bristles as the outsole.

4. The Heaven’s Door

The Heaven’s Door has a unique design style that combines the close-toe design of a shoe with the open-ish ankle aesthetic of a slip-on sandal. The shoes have a leather body, punctuated by an elastic strap that runs along the side, connecting the rear flap to the main shoe. A rubber outsole hints at comfortable outdoor use in an urban environment while hiding the springs away in a recessed channel running along the length of the shoe. Although remarkable in their automatic opening/closing abilities, the shoes don’t try to look futuristic – because they are not.

5. AC1 Boot

Meet the AC1 boot by Brooklyn-based mischief-makers MSCHF created to explore the lighter side of hopping around in walking boots meant for rehabilitation from a foot injury. As good as the sneaker design seems for the Gen-Z, the inspiration story is equally interesting. In 2015 CEO Lukas Bentel saw a person waking in medical boots down Prince Street in New York. He thought it to be the “most interestingly designed object,” especially the function-over-fashion character. According to him pondering over objects that aren’t intended to be aesthetic and given the least attention when it comes to design, can end up “looking really interesting and out there.”

6. Averted Vision

Defined by its cushioned design and minimalist profile, Averted Vision is practical and trendy. The cushioned soles take up around half of the shoe’s side profiles, providing ample bounce for playing without gravity. Conceptualized without shoelaces, Averted Vision could benefit from textile technology to form-fit around the wearer’s feet for a snug, comfy fit. The silhouette of the shoe seems to be inspired by designs of today, like Yeezy Foam Runners and Boosts. These days, it sometimes feels like we’re a stone’s throw away from life on Mars, so it’s not surprising that designers who tapped into the future are influenced by the trends of today.

7. The Heinekicks

What are the Heinekicks? Quite simply put, they’re limited edition sneakers FILLED with beer. There are only 32 pairs available in the world, and yes, you heard it right, they actually contain soles filled with the new Heineken Silver. Heineken promises these liquid-filled kicks “will have you Walking on Beer”. The Shoe Surgeon maintained the brand’s iconic red, green, and silver colors in the shoes as well. He power-packed the sneakers with a sleek green lenticular upper with silver and red accents. A removable metal bottle opener has been integrated into the tongue of the shoes. This could come in pretty handy when it’s time to pop open a cold one!

8. adidas x Victorinox EQT 93 sneaker

This is the Adidas x Victorinox EQT 93 sneaker by the German activewear brand for people who have a very active lifestyle. When needed the most, the sneaker has the Swiss brand’s EDC snug in place for any fixing, cutting, or other tasks. The shoe is based on the EQT 93 sneaker and modified for this exclusive offering. According to Veronika Elsener, Chief of Marketing at Victorinox – “We are thrilled with the outcome of the products which bring unique design and exciting details.”

9. Sim-Plis-Tech

The brief was to create a pair of shoes that can be used by the “urban nomad” which is basically people like me. The designer was able to come up with a concept for a Vans-like pair of shoes called Sim-Plis-Tech, taking inspiration from a mixture of space, alien life, corals, and skate parks. We get something that looks like what an astronaut would wear while walking around Mars and also something we city folk can wear around while traipsing in the urban jungle.

10. The 38%_2101 Running Shoes

Space-X Sneakers for Mars Process

38%_2101 Running Shoes for Mars Materials

Once you’ve set foot on Mars, it may be nice to wear something cool and durable like the 38%_2101 Running Shoes for MARS. The pair is based on the Y-3 running shoes and looks very futuristic. The designer decided to go for the Y-3 because the brand has a futuristic vision. The 38%_2101 Running Shoes for Mars appear to be out of this world, but the pair is also something we can still wear on Earth. The designer’s process included several other inspirations like aerospace equipment and minimal color units and a few items with sharp shapes.

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This shoe styler concept helps you put your best foot forward every day

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A good number of people pay very close attention to the shoes they wear, day in and day out. They make sure the shoes are not only comfortable but also stylish, matching whatever look you might have going for that day. A bit ironically, however, most people don’t give their shoes a second thought after taking them off. Most of us take special care of the clothes we wear but are content to just leave shoes by the door, in the closet, or anywhere convenient. The lack of care for footwear, however, will have very negative consequences for our feet down the road, so this shoe styler appliance concept tries to envision an easy and convenient way to make sure you’re always starting the day fresh from head to toe.

Designer: Yeounju Lee

Given how we use them, our shoes are bound to get dirtier and more worn out than our clothes. Despite that fact, few of us probably think of proper shoe care beyond airing them out once in a while. That sad state of footwear comes to bite us back, however, when we start to feel uncomfortable in our own shoes, not to mention get irritated or smelly feet from our beloved sneakers. Just like any chore, it isn’t a matter of just laziness but more because of the lack of tools that make such a task easy and efficient.

Shoe styler appliances are starting to enter into people’s consciousness for these exact reasons. We are already making it easier to take care of our clothes using technology, so it’s only fair and perhaps long overdue that shoes finally get the same treatment. Day starter is such a concept and it focuses on not just storing shoes properly but also cleaning them to keep them in tip-top shape for as long as possible.

At first glance, you wouldn’t even be able to tell that the appliance is designed for shoe care. It looks more like a short cabinet with a stylized ridged door. Behind that door is indeed a sort of storage, one that’s designed to keep shoes sanitized and dry. This would help prolong the life of footwear, depending on the type of material, of course. There are different lengths of “sticks” that either hang your shoes up or keep boots straight so that they don’t get deformed over time.

Day starter, however, isn’t just simply storage for shoes. Using the appliance actually starts with the slide-out tray that you step on when you’ve returned for the day. The details of the design are a bit murky, but at some point, the shoes are washed and dried to clean them before storage. There are even bins for water that you’ll have to fill and eventually empty.

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The shoe storage also functions as a shelf, particularly for things you might need when going out. It’s the perfect place to put down keys that you’ll pick up again the next day, turning it into that one place you’ll never forget. The design admittedly has some limitations, such as the number of shoes that can be stored inside at the same time. It does, however, bring to mind the importance of caring for footwear, especially given how we critically depend on them to go places.

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Squatty Slides Footwear Turn Every Toilet Into a Squatty Potty

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Created by Matty Benedetto of Unnecessary Inventions, Squatty Slides are a pair of footwear with extendable bases to raise your legs into the optimal position for taking care of business. And by taking care of business, I mean pooping, just to be clear. Probably too clear. My guess is you already knew what I was talking about.

The Squatty Slides feature a compartment on the bottom that opens, extending the platforms, and, after twisting them to lock into place, are ready for action. Hopefully not any crazy action, though. Hopefully just some healthy, regular action thanks to a well-rounded diet and not Taco Bell for lunch AND dinner.

Are Squatty Slides practical for regular wear? Probably not, considering they appear to be made of hard, 3D-printed plastic. I guess you could wear them around the house, though, but then why wouldn’t you just put an actual Squatty Potty in the bathroom? Maybe this is where the ‘unnecessary’ in Unnecessary Inventions comes from.

[via Neatorama]

Crocs partners with 7-11 for convenience store footwear line

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For those who follow product design like us, we most likely have a list of brands that we would like to see collaborate or partner up, no matter how unlikely the two industries would meet. However, never did I imagine a Crocs and 7-Eleven team-up. To be honest, I don’t ever “ship” Crocs with any other brand given my long-standing dislike of the shoe brand. But here we are in 2022, and that’s exactly what we’re getting.

Designer: Crocs

The much-maligned but still hugely popular shoe brand will be releasing a new footwear line that was designed in collaboration with the convenience store king 7-Eleven. Again, this is not something that people have been clamoring for but if you like both brands, then this will probably be in your Christmas wishlist. It will definitely be a conversation starter if you wear something like this outdoors during the fall or winter season.

There are not many details available yet but they have released some photos of what the footwear line will look like. There is a white pair of slippers with the 7-11 (or 11/7 in the U.S) colors present in the straps. There are also two clogs, one dominantly black and one mostly orange, with the 7-11 colors on the soles. If you want to keep up with the latest update, you can sign up for a mailing list.

All three pairs also have the various jibbitz shoe charms that Crocs users love putting on their shoes. You have 7-11 logos and various popular products like the slurpee, hotdog, pizzza, etc. I wouldn’t mind having those charms but not on my shoes. And even though I love 7-11, that’s still not enough to make me want a pair of these. The footwear collaboration line will be available on, you guessed it, November 7 aka 11/7.

The post Crocs partners with 7-11 for convenience store footwear line first appeared on Yanko Design.

Minimalist wall-mounted shoe rack helps store footwear while decluttering your space

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If you don’t have space for a shoe rack and you cringe at the idea of just leaving your shoes in a cluttered heap inside or outside your house, Avril has you sorted. No, not the Canadian rock singer, the wall-mounted shoe-rack. Designed to uplift your space by uplifting your shoes, the Avril shoe rack by Ylisse sits on your wall, providing a nice angled shelf to dock your shoes when not worn. Unlike conventional racks with horizontal shelves, the Avril’s angled design sits closer to the wall and occupies less real estate space, making it perfect for small homes, houses with narrow entrances, and even hotel rooms. Plus, the shoes are easy to access at all times, giving Avril the upper hand over your floor-based shoe rack that requires you to hunch over to find your shoes!

Designer: Hubert Therrien

Click Here to Buy Now: $153. Exclusively for YD readers.

“We bought a house, and despite the space we were gaining, the entrance hall was still filled with shoes”, said Avril’s designer, Hubert Therrien. “Jogging shoes, walking shoes, work shoes… all of them were cluttering up the doorway and piling up really quickly.” The idea of coming home to a living room or doorway cluttered with piles of shoes didn’t appeal to Therrien (and why should it?!), so he designed the Avril as a much more elegant, space-saving, minimalist, and easy-to-maintain alternative.

Simply put, the Avril is a powder-coated sheet metal rack that mounts onto any wall. Designed at a precise angle, the rack just protrudes a mere 5.1 inches from the wall, but holds at least 3 pairs of shoes per shelf. Mounting is rather easy, and maintaining the rack is simple too. Just place your shoes into the rack’s angled shelf when you need to store them… and if the shelf ever gets dirty over time (and it probably will), simply unhook it off the wall and wipe it down or rinse it under a gardening hose before drying it and mounting it back!

The Avril Shoe Rack comes in textured black or matte white finishes, and is designed to last for years!

Click Here to Buy Now: $153. Exclusively for YD readers.

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“Decaying” shoes are made from organic materials

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If you’re the kind of person whose shoes last for years and years, you sometimes don’t know if they’re still wearable especially if you haven’t worn them for a long time (like say, during the pandemic). But as long as it’s still wearable, especially if it’s your favorite, then you probably wouldn’t mind wearing it as long as it’s still okay. But if it looks like it’s decaying or falling apart, would you still keep it and wear it? That’s an interesting question to ask when faced with a pair of “living” footwear that looks like it has seen better days.

Designer: Yussef Agbo-Ola of Olainyi Studio

The Kajola shoe collection is made to look like decaying footwear as the materials used are natural. Because of the way it’s designed, it’s really more of a piece of artwork than functional footwear. They want to call it “living artefacts” made from various biomaterials like volcanic dust, clay, and even cacao powder and so as the years pass by, it will naturally curl into itself, just like leaves and other organic materials do when they decay. They are named after an area in Nigeria and a trip to local forests. The idea is to push what other things plants can be used to create.

The collection is made up of nine experimental shoe designs, all shaped similar to slipper-like footwear. The soles are made from a mixture of plant fibers, clays, plant starch, and other materials that can be used as a base. The upper portion is made from other natural fibers and mixed with natural additives like herbs, sand, flowers, and algae. They are actually hand cut and sewn and they even used a Japanese shoe patcher sewing machine to create this. Normally this machine is used to repair leather goods so you know it can withstand tough materials.

They are planning to develop a wearable version of this next year although I’m not sure if people would be interested to wear something that looks like it. Well, it’s pretty cool looking and can be a good conversation piece if anyone asks you “Why are you wearing an old pair of shoes?”.

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Vans-like shoe concept designed for the “urban nomad”

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When I was younger, I always though that when I reach middle age, I would start wearing more “grown-up” shoes like heels, sandals, etc. But now that I’m actually here, I find myself more attracted to the comfortable, durable, and simple sneakers, boots, and other sturdier footwear (no crocs, never crocs). And since I live in the city and I walk to and from work, I really need something that will not make my feet cry but also would look fashionable in a minimalist kind of way.

Designer: Gabriel Pimentel

The brief was to create a pair of shoes that can be used by the “urban nomad” which is basically people like me. The designer was able to come up with a concept for a Vans-like pair of shoes called Sim-Plis-Tech, taking inspiration from a mixture of space, alien life, corals, and skate parks. We get something that looks like what an astronaut would wear while walking around Mars and also something us city folk can wear around while traipsing in the urban jungle.

The design has a mesh inner bootie that will let your foot breathe plus a water resistant upper part. You also get velcro covers on the side, double zipper in the front, and boa lacing at the back. The outsole is inspired by the classic Vans waffle pattern but with a more modern look with a hex pattern in the areas that get the most wear and tear. You get a textured toe bumper that will help you get more traction and you also have a slash pocket on the side.

The renders show three different colors to choose from based on the original inspiration board. You get cool gray, deep blues, and red earth-tones, adding to the minimalist look that the shoes are going for. This is a pair of shoes that I would definitely go for in case it ever goes to market. Despite all the “features” mentioned, it still comes off as simple and stark but also still fashionable enough that you’d want to add it to your OOTD. Hopefully the design also translates well to an actual pair of Sim-Plis-Tech shoes.

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