Footwear Beyond Fashion (SUPER GALLERY)
9,576 Views - Click for Larger Image
This Super Gallery showcases shoes that are more than just fashions statements. While some may still look stylish, each has a purpose beyond protecting the foot and looking chic. Some have high tech functionality, others are socially conscious and some are even used to spread messages. The cluster finishes off with special shoes intended to enhance health and athletic ability.
Tech & Functionality
The workers of the oldest profession in history will be able to wear high-heeled shoes equipped with Global Positioning System, emergency alarm and liquid-crystal display. Women who offer sex for money in brothels, cabarets or just in the streets have been exposed to a great quantity of dangerous … [More]
While the top of these shoes have ordinary black sandal straps, the LED Alina Shoes have a clear Cinderella heel that glows in brilliant colours. They come in different heel shapes, from wedges to stilettos, and each pair is capable of glowing in red, green or blue as each shoe has three LEDs. Be… [More]
The Soul Fusion Glow Shoes will give you an extra height boost during the day, then take you into the evening where you can become the light of the party. The shoe soles glow in bright green or blue by lights embedded in the raised platform. The unisex sneakers are intended for ravers, but anyone … [More]
I thought the Wi-Fi Detector T-shirt we featured was truly awesome, albeit so geeky, no one with a hint of fashion savvy would dare wear the digital display. These sneakers, on the other hand, aren’t as flashy, but still work as fully functional hot spot finders. As you wander around town, an inte… [More]
These “Aphrodite” platform heels actually have an alarm system built in, which emits a piercing noise to scare attackers and they are also equiped with a GPS receiver. So if a prostitue is in trouble they can push a button and their exact location will be available to emergency services or thei… [More]
The Verb for Shoe footwear was designed by MIT graduate Ronald Demon. The kicks are high tech sneakers that use two air balloons and a computer to automatically the adjust cushioning based on the activity of the wearer. “The on-shoe computer is constantly monitoring the activities, adjusting the c… [More]
Electrolux an appliance manufacturer unveiled its vacuum shoe concept model; it features a thick and ugly sole designed to clean dirt as you hobble around. According to t3 “They’re still at the concept stage, but if the company’s executives have any sense at all they’ll push them into produc… [More]
How much walking can a woman do in this pair of sleek-as-none-of-your-business stiletto shoes? Not a whole lot, I’ll tell you that much. However, if you do manage to walk in them, they’ll keep track of every step you take with their built in counter. Perfect for the calorie-counting woman who doesn’… [More]
Look it’s a bird, a plane… Nay my friend tis a Transformer shoe. Well not exactly a “full sized” shoe, as the Transformer shoe has been scaled down to 1/2 size, so it won’t make your mourning jogs any more exciting. But it will look pretty awesome in your toy collection for only $59. They are Nike… [More]
“Do you have change for a hundred? Yeah, I have a real hankering today for a pair of those new shoes.” Shoe manufacturer, Onitsuka Tiger, has placed a shoe vending machine on Carnaby Street in London. They are selling their new red/blue/white Mexico 66s in 6 sizes directly from an electronic vending… [More]
The new Isaac Daniel Fele is a shoe that includes satellite tracking (via GPS) as well as a heart monitor. You can use the shoes to track yourself (or kid) in an emergency, monitor your run, or maybe just find out who stole your shoes. Alternatively, you could just buy a pair of cheep shoes and tr… [More]
You would have to be a seriously dedicated gamer to buy a pair of sneakers with a built-in NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) crammed into it. But I’m pretty sure the shoes will attract quite a few die-hards out there who live to play video games. The sneakers are fully functional giving the user o… [More]
Having wet feet has to be one of the most physically uncomfortable feelings, right after having your nostrils invaded by the stench of rotting shoes. To ensure you won’t have to endure either much longer, a new invention has hit the market—and get this—it’s environmentally-friendly, too! Th… [More]
At Adidas shop on the Avenue des Champs Elysees, customers are enjoyed the new way of shoe fitting. With the new technologies, customers don’t have to take off their shoes. Just standing in front of a virtual mirror, customers can browse a variety of models and colors by simply pointing at product… [More]
The Camileon Heel is just the shoe every city girl has ever dreamed of! These transforming shoes have adjustable heels so you can always be comfortable. You look smashing in those pumps—they absolutely make the outfit… but after trudging around the mall for hours, or downing one too many with… [More]
Ever get thirsty at the beach? Well, these sandals from Reef will help you out! They hold your liquid of choice (i.e. vodka) in the soles so that every day is better. Go to http://www.islandsurf.com and check them out. They are called the Dram! Cheers! [More]
Women have been suffering the side effects of wearing high heels for many decades now. Steve McIntyre has investigated and come out with a totally new type of shoe: the sensitive shoe. The idea is very simple, yet effective and potentially revolutionary. Key pressure points are stimulated as you … [More]
Ladies, if you’re looking for a little extra comfort on your next night out, how about a pair of electric cinderella shoes? They’ve got a built in stun gun that packs a 100,000 volt punch… Ouch! Excerpt From Giz Magazine: May 10, 2006 The Electric Cinderella shoes idea began as part of Simona Br… [More]
Writing from the Sole
Do you want footwear that leaves an impression? Then you can find no better than the range of shoes from Shoes of the Fishermen. These are simply brilliant! The Shoes of the Fishermen area series of shoes that leave the words “Jesus” (right foot), “Loves You” (left foot) in sand and other wet groun… [More]
Everyone who goes to the beach wants to make a statement. From the suit they wear to their footwear. Paolo Ulian’s print beach sandals design will have you getting all kinds of attention! These clever sandals have the words “Whoever Loves Me Follow Me” printed on the bottoms so when you walk across … [More]
Eco
Nike has created a $500,000 track made entirely from recycled running shoes. The facility features a basketball court and running track. “We’ve discussed everything from soccer fields to Lord knows what. Last year, Nike, which in some other cities has done this, approached the city about where the… [More]
So a hot actress decides to become a designer… who cares, right? However, if she designs vegan shoes, it becomes a different story. Natalie Portman designed a collection with Te Casan that have no animal products. Portman, who has been a vegetarian since childhood, is practicing what she preache… [More]
Nike’s latest line of shoe design is garbage. Literally. The Nike Trash Talk are actually made from manufacturing wastes, which is kind of hard to believe looking at their crisp white design. They were designed based on the shoes worn by Steve Nash of the Phoenix Sons, hence the electric orange la… [More]
These stylish shoes are actually the world’s first eco-friendly shoes intended for golf, allowing the wearer to wear green on the green. The Enviro shoes are made from 99% environmentally sustainable materials and look very sophisticated too. They use chrome-free, organic vegetable-tanned leathers… [More]
Trend Hunter covered the launch of Veja in 2006, the first organic sneakers made out from organic cotton from Brazil, natural latex from the Amazon Forest and ecological leather. From that time, an enormous number of brands have followed the lead of ecology to sell more; but Veja has kept true to it… [More]
Veja Sneakers are so cool! Materials used are organic cotton produced by a cooperative of small Brazilian producers and rubber from wild Amazon Hevea trees. It was inspired by Brazilian volley shoes from the 1970s. According to Veja the fair trade premium paid to the producers aims at financing con… [More]
British designer Georgina Goodman puts her passion, energy and vision to work to create a pair of shoes from recycled drinks cans. Taking over six to make, the stylish and elegant pair of shoes was made from drinks cans Georgina had collected for recycling at home and in her workshop. Hand-craft… [More]
If shoes were a bit of sticky choice for the sustainability-minded fashionista, Hetty Rose now solves the problem. At a cost. Hetty Rose of UK is designing hand-made shoes made of recycled vintage material. The flagship Kimono collection is prepared with vintage Japanese kimono fabrics. This effecti… [More]
Yellow Port shines as an original and committed Green company. They’ve been manufacturing shoes from recycled tires and trucking canvas for years in Brazil and are finally making some inroads in Canada and the United states via Ejust Inc. If you like this concept, you’ll like the eco-friendly shoe… [More]
“Every year, in the UK, 900,000 tonnes of textiles are thrown into landfills. Worn Again believes some things are just too good to go to waste… Since 2003, Terra Plana have been making good-looking eco-friendly shoes, in the UK, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Romania, Morocco and Mexico - always looking… [More]
Blake Mycoskie did the right thing. As he started his venture, TOMS Shoes, recreating the alpargata (a traditional shoe made and used by southamerican farmers similar to Vans or Keds) he developed a social concept to support his new business with a simple concept: “The idea is for every pair you sel… [More]
Fitness & Action Shoes
Still searching for those shoes that were really meant for walking? Your answer to difficult foot-related problems is finally here. Actually, the MBT shoes, designed in Switzerland as orthopedic shoes, have been around in Europe for a while. Basically, the shoe is more of a technology than a fashio… [More]
The booming popularity of Yoga isn’t letting up, and neither is the continued production of Yoga wear. Following in the footsteps of Lulu Lemon is Swamisz (swa-meez), the long-awaited footwear for deep-breathing, holistic fitness buffs. Although they don’t promise you enlightenment, the shoes were… [More]
If you’ve always wanted to get a bit more bounce in your step, here’s your chance! The Kangoo Jumps rebound exercise shoes are loaded with springs to help hop higher than ever on your own two feet. They reduce impact by 80% so they’re really easy on your joints, hips and spine. Vital Juice D… [More]
Armani has collaborated with Skorpion Skates on these sleek $425 Emporio Armani Skorpion Quadline Roller-Skates. The ultra light weight EA7 Skorpion Quadline roller skates can be attached to any shoe and features a Quadcoil suspension and steerage system with independent spring suspension for each … [More]
A huge part of the skater lifestyle is in presenting a certain look. The iShoes are an invention that haven’t made it to production yet, but when they do, they are sure to roll off the shelves. The shoes come in men’s sizes 8 to 12 and in 7 to 11 for women’s sizes. Four inch wheels offer good stab… [More]
Reebok and Microsoft Zune have collaborated to create a limited edition sneaker and Zune MP3 player featuring Denver Nuggets superstar shooting guard Allen Iverson. An etching of the superstar will appear on the back of a limited-edition 8GB Zune packaged with a pair of Reebok shoes called the “Zune… [More]
The F50 TUNiT is the new customizable hi-tech Adidas boot unveiled recently in the UAE. The boot allows players to choose among the different looks the shoes has to offer. “Choose the fit and comfort level by inserting your preferred chassis,” says launchwire.com. “This hi-tech boot is the thi… [More]
There’s no other reason to buy these gold golf shoes other than you just wanting to show off. Anybody can have the latest humongous driver, but show up at the clubhouse with these babies, and you will get notices. Puma made the Concorde Gold shoes that really are meant to wear on the course. Wet or … [More]
Just released by Hummel and exclusively revealed on Footwear Department Manager, Richard Kuchinsky’s blog, First Pullover The hummel 8.4 PIO is set to change the way performance sports footwear is viewed. The 8.4 PIO FGX football boot uses a unique combination of design and technical features to al… [More]
The Beijing Olympics are fast approaching and sports apparel companies are gearing up for the frenzied, mad-crazy merchandising that this grand event always unleashes as kids and adults alike endeavor to “Look Like Mike” or in this case, Los Angeles Lakers superstar shooting guard, Kobe Bryant. Th… [More]
Vibram has released its latest climbing shoe / sandals which include separate slots for each of your toes. As Vibram states, “Go barefood - without leaving yourself exposed” [More]
References: trendhunter
Comment: on Top 42 Functional Shoes
| 
Edit
Bianca Bartz
High-Heeled Shoes with GPS for Prostitutes
Glowing Heels - LED Alina Shoes (GALLERY)
Light of The Party - Soul Fusion Glow Shoes (GALLERY)
Wi-Fi Sneakers - A Step in the Right Direction (GALLERY)
Aphrodite Platform Pumps
Computer-Manipulated Sneakers - The Verb for Shoes (GALLERY)
Vacuum Shoes - Clean as You Walk
Flashy Fitness Footwear - Step Counter Shoes
Transformer Shoe - More than Meets the Foot?
Shoe Vending - Onitsuka Tiger’s Sneaker Vending Machine
Satellite Monitoring in Your Footwear (GALLERY)
Video Game Footwear - Nintendo Right in your Sneakers
Eco Shoes Dryer - Battery-Powered Sweat Eliminator
Virtual Shoe Fitting - Adidas Lets You Test Shoes Without Trying Them On
Transformer Shoes - Adjustable Camileon Heel (VIDEO)
Drinking Shoes - Walk With Your Vodka
Sensitive Shoes - Reflexology Technology Eases The Pain of High Heals
Stiletto Defense - High Heel Shoes With Built in Stun Gun
Statement Footwear - Jesus Loves You Sandals
Write Love Notes in The Sand With Print Beach Shoes By Paolo Ulian
Nike Donates $500,000 Field Made of Recycled Running Shoes
Vegan Shoes - Natalie Portman Designs For Te Casan
Shoe Made of Garbage - Nike Trash Talk
Eco Friendly Golf Shoes - Enviro Brings Green to the Green
Organic Sneakers in Amsterdam - Veja Collection By Christine Phung (GALLERY)
Organic Shoes by Veja (GALLERY)
Aluminium Can Recycled Shoes - Tear Your Feet to Shreds?
Sustainable Fashion - Handmade Shoes by Hetty Rose
Recycled Shoes - Yellow Port Shoes Made From Recycled Tires and Trucking Canvas
Eco Friendly Shoes
Social Conscience Footwear - Business Inspired by Argentine Alpargata
These Shoes Were Made for Weight Loss - Swiss MBT Shoes (VIDEO)
Yoga Thongs - Swamisz Footwear (GALLERY)
Spring-Soled Bouncing Shoes - Kangoo Jumps (VIDEO)
Designer Skates - Emporio Armani Skorpion Quadline Roller-Skates (GALLERY)
Electric Powered Skates - iSkate For Alternative Commuters (VIDEO)
Co-Branded MP3 Basketball Sneakers - Zune Reebok Answer XI
Customizable Hi-Tech Soccer Shoes - Adidas F50 TUNiT (GALLERY)
Gold Footwear On The Green - Puma Golf Shoes
Luxury Soccer Shoes - New Football Boot by Hummel (GALLERY)
Celebrity Endorsed Olympic Branding - Nike Hyperdunk-Kobe PE (GALLERY)
Vibram Fivefingers Climbing Shoes
Urban Retrospectives
Favorited by 
