Tag Archives: sneakerhead

This biodegradable shoe is crafted using waste materials and 3D knitting!

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Sneaker culture has encouraged creativity but also added to a lot of waste since it is a part of fast fashion. Traditional sneakers have a short lifespan and with ‘drops’ increasing, people tend to buy and throw much faster. The complicated construction and the use of different materials (rubber, textile, various plastics, etc.) make these almost impossible and unprofitable to disassemble or recycle which is why Burfeind designed Sneature which is a sustainable sneaker alternative for the eco-conscious sneakerheads.

The shoe is crafted from many waste materials. The yarn made of dog hair (Chiengora) which is a biological waste being upcycled – this is innovation. Sneature is biodegradable as well! The design does take into account the functional requirements of a trainer and individual customization by the user. The process uses a 3D knitting technology that allows for customization and on-demand production while using the lowest possible energy consumption method.

The membrane is a protein-based 3D knit made from dog hair. It transports the functional properties of flexibility, stiffness, and air circulation with a very second-skin feel, similar to the sock sneaker style we’ve been seeing. These materials have natural properties that provide water absorption and release and anti-static properties. A thin layer of flexible bio-rubber/bioplastic forms the transition from the membrane to the sole. The junction of the membrane and sole is water-repellent against splashing or moisture from below awhile protecting the membrane in areas that quickly wear out. The transition also serves as a cushion and protects against rapid abrasion of all other areas in order to extend the lifespan of the shoe. The sole is made of mushroom mycelium which can be used as a composite material with local vegetable waste. The area is designed to be made of bioplastics which means this material can be produced at home or in a maker‘s lab like DIY materials.

“The sneaker was segmented into functional and structural areas (membrane, transition, sole) in order to implement the tested materials in a suitable way, taking into account the functional properties of the different areas. Because of the possible integration into an industrial production process, the membrane – the integrative core of the shoe – was created using a 3D-knitting technique. In order to approach the problem and conceptualize a solution, a fundamental factor for the ecological properties of every product – the material was examined. The design is based on a series of material experiments with natural raw fibers,” says Burfeind.

Designer: Emilie Burfeind

Attention sneakerheads – Adidas Originals and LEGO have linked up!

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Sneakerhead or not, the Adidas x LEGO collaboration will certainly tug at your heartstrings (or maybe shoelaces?) with its playful vibe. The upcoming ZX 8000 sneaker collaboration was announced by Adidas Originals as a part of its ongoing A-ZX series. Stepping on LEGO blocks but now they can’t hurt you because you have made allies with the enemy HA!

Adidas usually has the classic monochromatic shoes with a few bold limited-edition drop and this sneaker design certainly incorporates elements from both brands in a way that none are overpowered – so you can recognize those Adidas curves but you can also relate to the LEGO colors! Digital sneaker god, Sean Wotherspoon, received a pair ahead of the official release and shared images that unveiled more details like LEGO’s iconic logo on the tongue tag and a miniature LEGO man modeled after him! The detailing on the shoes with grooves and ridges brings in the element of the connecting blocks and the shape of the shoe itself has a very 90’s Adidas aesthetic. It is refreshing to see a bright red sole on a shoe other than Louboutins. One of the most thoughtful details is the green LEGO block that seems to hold the laces in places and I am assuming this shoe will come with versatile lace options as well.

The special pair also comes in an equally unique shoebox crafted with interlocking plastic bricks – while most will find this to be a cute branding touch, it is important to remember the global plastic problem and hold huge brands like Adidas and LEGO accountable. Good sneaker design is cool, but waste-free packaging is cooler and since sneakers are a part of streetwear it would be wise to keep the streets clean. The ZX 8000 is going to be priced at $130 and is set to be released on September 25th, 2020.

Designer: Adidas and LEGO

Kick up a storm with these uber cool sneaker designs

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What happens when a sneakerhead meets a product designer? Well, these designs the result of such a collaboration. From the iconic Nike Air Max 1 with it’s golf-inspired makeover to sneakers that have been created from chewing gum that lines the city’s streets, we have a sneaker design that will surely make you a sneakerhead if you already aren’t one!

A-symmetrical Championship Air Jordan 1 by Dominic Ciambrone aka the Shoesurgeon in collaboration with the Golden State Warriors.

The Link by Padwa Design, Olga Kravchenko & Yehuda Azoulay is free like a flip-flop, safe as a shoe.

This NIKE Air Yeezy II ‘Red October’ designed by Kanye West was officially launched instantly selling out 11 minutes after being announced via twitter.

The Amsterdam metropolitan area introduces gumshoe, a sneaker with soles made from chewing gum taken from the city’s streets

The iconic Air Max 1 gets a golf-inspired makeover with the upcoming release of this Grass colorway by Nike 

The “F1” sneakers mark the designers’ first signature sneaker silhouette where the future wearer gets to pick and choose custom elements in the shoe’s construction by Shift Studio

Paris inspired Nike Sneakers revamped by Dominic Ciambrone aka the Shoesurgeon

Puma’s self-lacing sneakers come with a touch-sensitive control panel.

Native Shoes makes plant-based sneakers from pineapple and eucalyptus by Mike Belgue 

Tropic Shoe is made to be worn everywhere and that’s including being worn underwater by Tropic Design

The Grit by Aarish Netarwala’s sole collapses when your foot lands on the ground, and material physics pushes it to expand when your foot is lifting off the ground too, allowing it to absorb impact, and release energy.