It's often assumed that in order to maintain safety when walking on snow and ice that a pair of spiky boots is required, but the Gripforce ice boots aim to change this. Rather than requiring wearers to deal with a pair of boots that always have the spikes exposed, Gripforce boots feature spikes that only pop out when needed.
The Gripforce boots work by allowing the spikes to pop into action when the wearer is stepping on soft ground like snow and ice and staying hidden when on hard surfaces. Users can also switch the Gripforce ice boots into off-mode in order to keep the spikes from popping out at all if worn during times when there's no snow or ice.
The Gripforce boots, including the Reykjavik, Copenhagen, Zermatt and Toronto styles, are currently being funded on Kickstarter.
Retractable Spike Ice Boots
Gripforce Boots Feature Spikes that Only Pop Out When Needed
Trend Themes
1. Adaptive Footwear - Opportunities to design other adaptive footwear that changes based on the external environment or specific situations.
2. Smart Materials - Development of new materials that react to external stimuli such as temperature, pressure, and traction potential.
3. Sustainable Footwear - Opportunities to design eco-friendly and recyclable footwear with retractable spikes.
Industry Implications
1. Outdoor Apparel - Can incorporate retractable spikes technology in clothing and accessories for outdoor usage.
2. Sportswear - Add spikes to shoes for activities like hiking, soccer, football, and other sports where a better grip is needed.
3. Tourism and Travel - Opportunities exist in designing footwear that combines comfort with safety for people who travel in snowy and icy destinations.