Monthly Archives: February 2014

3D Printing, footwear, Shoes, technology

Popdiatribe: Step Into The Future

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Tweet from Feetz Custom Fit Footwear
Tweet from Feetz Custom Fit Footwear

The above tweet was clipped from the account of Feetz, a company that employs 3D printing technology to perfect custom fitting footwear for folks with orthopedic problems such as different sized or abnormally shaped feet.  Using a proprietary “SizeMe” imaging process, Feetz asks customers to send pictures of each foot so their tech team can create proper fitting shoes you can slide on within seven days. Check out their site for more information, and a chance to be a beta tester.

Science fiction is indeed becoming reality. Footwear giant Nike, who used some 3D tech in the design of their Superbowl cleats (and at the time of this post, is looking to employ 3D modeling specialists), made news this month via a hint from designer Tinker Hatfield about a self-lacing system that resembles what Marty McFly sported in Back to the Future 2.

Video game company Konami co-branded with Puma to release some Metal Gear Solid high-tops. Eastman Footwear recalled 12,000+ pairs of Coleman branded children’s shoes due to a laceration hazard from poorly designed metal shoestring rivets. Writer Taryn Luna penned a great rundown of the latest batch of maximalist running sneaks. I purchased my first can of Obenauf’s Leather Preservative for boots to combat the snow, slush, and salt of New York and Boston this month; so far so good!

footwear, pop, Shoes

The First Popdiatribe

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I hope you are having a happy shoe year so far.  This will be the first of many Popdiatribes, where I will run through monthly observations about footwear and the feet that fit them. In my home of New York City, it has been wet, cold and salty (in that order). That means boots, and proper boot care. Don’t be that guy who never takes off his All-Stars trying to navigate slushy northeast sidewalk ends, unless you have bread bags over your socks. Or maybe you are a running enthusiast who wears Icebugs.

Swedish Icebug trainers - icebug.se
Swedish cold weather trainers – icebug.se

Late last year, I couldn’t ignore the stories about how NBA star LeBron James wasn’t loving the design of his signature Nike high tops. Then on January 2nd (Heat vs. Golden State Warriors) he fell during the game and sneakerheads wondered out loud about the tread marks left on the court- presumably from the soles of the improved version of those Nikes. Maybe he just went to an unclean movie theater before the game? The NBA also saw New York Knickerbocker J.R. Smith being suspended for repeatedly pulling opponent’s shoelaces untied during free-throw formations. Remember to double-knot your laces whenever you visit Madison Square Garden. NBA All-Star week is coming up and all the big companies are rolling out more kicks than you can blow a whistle at- remember to save for retirement!

I’m thinking of doing a periodic piece called “shoes I was curious about, but never bought”. Clogs would be on the top of that list. I have always heard they were an excellent choice for people  who worked on their feet all day. “But what if there is an emergency where you have to run?” I would say. No matter, I really enjoyed Rebecca Adams’ HuffPo piece Why Dansko Clogs Are Pretty Much The Best Shoes In Existence .

New Balance did something with Disney, Adidas got 2 Chainz, Converse did Black Sabbath, Vans did The Beatles, and have also dipped their toe into high-school art class with their Vans custom culture contest. Actress Sarah Jessica Parker stepped into the market with her own line of shoes. The term maximalist shoes is now coined, and I have to walk away from this computer right now.