Gizmodo: footwear

Verb for Shoe Auto-Adjusts Comfort With Built-in Computer

Kit Eaton — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:30:00 EDT

The adapting Verb shoes from VectraSense Technologies, an MIT spin-off company, have been in development for a while, but now they're finally ready to buy. They're not quite Marty's amazing Nike's from Back to the Future 2 but they are clever: the built-in twin air bladders are controlled by an on-board computer that detects what activities you're up to and adjusts the air pressure accordingly.

The idea behind the design is that the shoes are always comfortable, adapting dynamically. And if that's not 21st Century enough, then the shoes also have built-in wireless networking which can let you swap contact info with other Verb wearers nearby, and connect up to a PC so you can access the autocomfort settings. Activating the wireless mode is achieved by tipping your foot vertically and holding it for five seconds, so you shouldn't trip it off accidentally.

Partly because of all this technology, and partly because they're hand-made to order, a pair will set you back $699.99. [Verb via Talk2MyShirt]

Good-Bye Foot Raunch, Helloooo Minty Freshness!

Wilson Rothman — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 09:48:43 EST

Thanks to a new springy plastic insert for shoes, Japanese people will be spared the embarrassment of letting their foot smells waft through public places. Instead, they will experience the embarrassment of adding a strange breath of mint to every establishment where they are required to de-shoe. At every step, the insert pumps out a small dose of mint essence, replacing—and hopefully not just mixing noxiously with—your natural, potentially horrible foot odor. It's a hell of a trade-off. Would you use it? [Reuters]

Electric Mini Shoe City Complete With Godzilla...What?

Sean Fallon — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:24:55 EST

Japanese footwear company Onitsuka Tiger is getting a major promotional boost thanks to this 1 meter long illuminated shoe developed by the folks at Freedom of Creation. The work is intended to "communicate Onitsuka Tiger's Japanese roots" in the form of a highly detailed city-shoe. It has everything from billboards to buildings —and if you will notice, the Onitsuka Tiger stripes represent streets and highways and a Godzilla-like monster looms over the city.

Freedom of Creation has also developed smaller versions of the shoe to be placed in Onitsuka Tiger stores worldwide. They have even gone so far as to develop USB stick and key ring versions to spread the product awareness even further. Now that's what I call marketing! [Freedom of Creation via Dezeen via DVICE]

Heated Insoles Probably Won't Char Your Feet

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:56:36 EST

For those interested in having warm feet and tempting fate by walking on top of two rechargeable lithium batteries, Scarpa has announced a new insole (or "footbed," as they seem to be calling them these days) designed especially for you. The Grizu footbeds have a temperature sensor that keeps things inside your shoe a toasty 38° C, but they also include a remote control to adjust the temperature to personal preference.

They're made for outdoorsy types, so the circuitry has a fail-safe to keep it from exploding if you happen to, say, wade through a stream on your hike. This almost definitely won't happen to them. The Grizus are scheduled to be available for ~$300 this winter. Make sure the shoes you're putting them in have removable insoles. [Scarpa via Trail Gear Blog]

- Josh Ziegler

Car Slippers Light Up the Bathroom Trail

Jason Chen — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 18:30:44 EDT

We've seen flashlight slippers before, but were they in the shape of a car? Definitely not. These Illuminating Car speakers? Definitely shaped like cars.

Not only do they have little light-up headlights that come on when you step in them, they're "ultra-soft" and plush, which means they'll be super comfortable on the cold floor of your bathroom. Plus, they cover your entire foot, so you won't have to worry about accidentally peeing on yourself thanks to horrible aim at 3 a.m. [Product Page via Techie Diva]

Bring Out The Bruised Kid in You with Roller Lights

AddyDugdale — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 03:34:19 EDT

These Roller Lights are the equivalent of strap-on wheelies for the disco generation - provided you don't weigh more than 176 lb. , the two-wheeled toys attach to your shoes and flash away with their three color lights.

Tempting as it would be to announce the birth of the Gizmodo Roller Lights team, I don't think it will happen*. But since these things are reminiscent of Heelys, those strange trainers-with-casters that make ver yoof of today look like they're gliding along (as well as making them forget how to walk), and, at around $25, cost a third of the price, they are an alternative. Plus, you can borrow them when he's at school and you're late for work.

*If anyone is interested, don't hesitate to get in touch. Giz tee-shirts, yellow banana hammocks, plus the all important protective gear - I can see us now on America's Got Talent.

[GoBaz via UberReview]