Tag: shoes

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Apparel

uGALE keeps cooped up feet from offending coworkers

It can make for a really long work day when the guy or girl in the cubicle next to you decides to relax and take off his or her shoes, unleashing smelly feet upon the entire staff.

uGALE provides a nice solution to this odorous problem. uGALE is a unique insole designed to keep feet cool, dry and odor free. The product also claims to offer relief for foot problems such as athlete’s foot, mycosis, dermatophytosis or intertrigo. The uGALE insole includes a micro-compressor that sends air through built-in ductwork and keeps feet cool in the process. This prevents the sweating and bacterial growth that causes foot odors, an especially common problem when feet are cooped up in shoes all day long. Notably, the foot cooling mechanism in the insole is connected to a Bluetooth controlled app that is compatible with both iOS and Android.

uGALE seems like a great way to keep feet cool, comfortable, and healthy.  Shoe-loving backers might also like to check out ZEM shoes, and Bast Shoes. This campaign seeks to raise €18,000 (~$20,000 USD) by April 16, 2015. Early bird backers can get one product for €260 (~295 USD) with an expected delivery of June 2015.

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Apparel Connected Objects Sports

Turning Shoe helps athletes avoid injury and perfect their form

When playing baseball, golf or other similar sports, stress is often placed on the body when swinging a bat or club, throwing a baseball, or making other unnatural motions that the body is unaccustomed to.

patent-claimedThe Turning Shoe is a smart shoe designed to reduce this type of stress and impact to the body by promoting a more natural swinging motion for baseball and golf players. The Turning Shoe eDrive Plus adds a sensor that sends information about users’ movements to their smartphones via a mobile smartphone app. Its maker plans to ship the shoes in six color designs. Turning Shoes for baseball and golf will cost $299 each, while Turning Shoe eDrive Plus for the same two sports will cost $395 each. All will ship in October provided that a campaign goal of $50,000 is met by April 16.

 

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Apparel

DVa shoes let feet rock out in different styles for ultimate fashion statement

Many people have too many shoes. Pairs upon pairs all offering something different, whether it be a different function or a completely different style altogether.

DVa is a two-in-one shoe that offers multiple styles all in one. The shoes feature holes, tops, Velcro panels, and laces that can all be combined or removed to produce different styles. Some styles offer a boat shoe look while others present more of a sneaker aesthetic. The shoes come in either back or yellow, with black and brown being the options for the laces.

DVa (perhaps to sound like diva?) offers versatility and function. The shoes work for either women or men and look like a basic canvas sneaker, a popular style these days. That said, the execution of this particular product is lacking. No matter what formation the shoe can be turned into, the result is never very attractive. One pair of DVas will cost backers $38 for delivery in May 2015, provided the product can meet its $15,000 Indiegogo goal by April 4, 2015.

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Home

Sole Stacks keeps shoes in an artsy looking rack

For those who believe that one can never have too many pairs of shoes, here is a storage idea that will get them off of the closet floor and someplace where they can be more easily organized and found – hanging right on the wall.

Sole Stacks is a modular, art deco looking wall mount for storing shoes. The product comes in three sizes: the five rack for five pairs of shoes, nine rack for nine pairs, and 13 rack 13 pairs. Racks can also be stacked. The unique slope saves space so more shoes can be stored, and is intended to be complimentary with the furniture around it. Some assembly with tools is required. Which tools are needed is not clearly specified, but it doesn’t appear to be particularly complex.

This seems like a very convenient way for shoe fanatics to keep all of their shoes organized and accessible. Shoe-loving backers may also want to check out Zem shoes and Bast shoes. This campaign seeks to raise $10,000. Backers get one five-stack Sole Stacks for $60 with an expected delivery of April 2015.

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Sports

Court Grabbers keep players from slip slidin’ away

There’s little that’s more annoying on a basketball court than when a tight score is making the game “up for grabs” and a dirty court is making getting traction a near impossibility. Anxious players lick their hands, rub the bottom of their shoes, and hope they don’t get sick later.

Court Grabbers restore traction to shoes in a quick, easy and safe way. Before the game or practice begins, the player laces the base strip onto their shoe once, applies traction gel to the traction pad, and slides it onto the base strip. It clicks in place and stays secure throughout the game or practice. Then whenever traction is needed, the player wipes the bottom of their shoe across the traction pad on the top of their other shoe, and dust, dirt and traction is restored to shoes. This means players have traction available at all times when on the court. When the traction pad gets dirty, just toss into the washer and dryer. It’s not clearly indicated how frequently the product should be washed for optimum game traction results. The product has been declared “permitted for play” by NCAA and NFHS, and is presently being used by players in 42 states and 11 countries.

This product’s appeal will be pretty much limited to its niche market of basketball enthusiasts, aspiring professionals and pro ball players. Backers looking for an easy way to tote all their sports gear might want to check out the Zondo Firefly Backpack campaign, and those looking for a way to monitor and improve their game might want to check out the LUUV campaign. For $15, backers get one product with an expected delivery of February 2015, if the campaign can raise $20,000.

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Health and Wellness

AnkleMax sets out to avoid the same-ol’ sprain old

Sprained ankles can be a bear. Not only are they painful, but also take an extremely long time to heal. Some ankle sprain pain can last for years. AnkleMax hopes to prevent sprains before they happen. Using stabilizer technology, this product attaches to your shoes and helps absorb awkward angle impact so you remain safe. AnkleMax comes in many different colors and is compatible with all shoes, or so the campaign says. This product does not impede the natural motion of your foot and remains unobtrusive as it sits on the outside of the shoe. One pair can be had for $75 with estimated delivery in December 2014. AnkleMax hopes to raise an ambitious $100,000 on Kickstarter.

AnkleMax is an interesting addition to the ankle sprain prevention market. Shoes like those from Ektio are designed with extra support to make sure sprains don’t happen. Ringing in at about $140 per pair, these sneakers claim to keep your ankles straight. AnkleMax, while pricey, are compatible with all shoes, making them much more versatile. The attachment process is vague, however. If they can easily be transferred from shoe to shoe, then they’re well worth the price. If one must purchase a pair for all of their shoes, the price may get a little high.

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Apparel

Zubits keep your laces in magnetically held places

Shoe-tying is learned early on in life… for the fortunate. For those who don’t like laces, slip-on shoes and Velcro are always options. Zubits lets sneaker enthusiasts use magnets to secure their shoes. The laces are woven through two small magnets that secure together in the middle. The magnets used are extremely strong for maximum security. Zubits are compatible with many different types of sneakers as long as they have laces. One pair will cost backers $20 with choice of color and size for estimated delivery in January 2015. These sneaker fasteners hope to raise $29,000 on Kickstarter.

People love anyway to make their lives easier. ZIPPED uses the same concept, but turns laces into zippers rather than magnets. Zubits are easier to use and less gaudy-looking than ZIPPED. Although, Zubits will need to over more color and design choices to really excite backers. Still, the alternative fastening technique’s convenience may prove too much for backers to resist.

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Apparel

Aussie’s boomerang design keep Interchangeable Flip Flops close to the feet

Interchangeable Flip FlopsFlips flops are a summer favorite for footwear, despite the fact that they can be kind of flimsy. Straps will rip out of the base of the shoe many times, causing chaos for those away from home. Interchangeable Flip Flops uses a unique “boomerang” design that makes straps more secure. In addition, they come with extra straps in different colors, making the shoe more versatile and fun. For anyone whose ever broken a flip flop, this Australian product seems well worth it. Backers can donate $25AUD for one pair of shoes and a pair of extra straps. It seems a small premium for a a bit more reliability and style options although for the summery shoe wearer. Interchangeable Flip Flops hopes to raise $30,000 on Indiegogo.

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Apparel

ZEM Shoes blends beach-friendly comfort with colorful style

ZEM ShoesWhether one wants to run like the wind, ride the waves like a fish or just play in the sand with the kids, Zem Shoes has your feet covered for these and other feats. The Zone of Endless Motion athletic shoes include multiple options to suit ll kinds of moods — fitness, wellness, water sports, fashion or just an active lifestyle are all complimented by comfort and flexibility. For $39, backers get one pair of ZEM Shoes with an expected delivery of July 2014.

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Apparel

Bast Shoes revive weaved look from the past

Bast Shoes 46926a9bd9dcf1c65d7c8a294bef8896_large[1]If you’re the type who likes to set the trends, or in this case, reset them, Bast Shoes will be an item that you can appreciate. The natural birch tree shoes are woven by hand from fallen trees found in Siberia. The style was apparently common many centuries ago when weaving stuff by hand was the norm. For $25, backers get a pair of “step-ins” with an expected delivery of August 2014.