Shoes started off as functional designs meant to protect our feet, however with time they’ve now turned into style statements, a representation of our personality and our personal fashion sense. After all, don’t they say that you can tell a lot about a man by the state of his shoes? Personally, I love a good pair of sturdy and stylish sneakers, ones that can get me through the day without giving me any shoe bites, and also match my outfits! However, I do know that this isn’t the case with everybody. People have high demands and expectations when it comes to their footwear, hence designers are unleashing all of their creative juices, leaving no stones unturned in making unique, innovative, and ergonomic shoes! From Nike-inspired minimal trendy shoes to watercolor sneakers – these footwear designs are as futuristic, inventive, and fashionable as they can get!
1. Averted Vision
Defined by its cushioned design and minimalist profile, Averted Vision is practical and trendy. The cushioned soles take up around half of the shoe’s side profiles, providing ample bounce for playing without gravity. Conceptualized without shoelaces, Averted Vision could benefit from textile technology to form-fit around the wearer’s feet for a snug, comfy fit. The silhouette of the shoe seems to be inspired by designs of today, like Yeezy Foam Runners and Boosts. These days, it sometimes feels like we’re a stone’s throw away from life on Mars, so it’s not surprising that designers tapped into the future are influenced by the trends of today.
2. The Watercolor Sneakers
Controlled organic forms and patterns inspired the Watercolor Sneakers. The designer mentioned this pair was an exercise on surface modeling, visualization, and CMF exploration. It’s only a concept, but we want the design to go into production and the sneaker market. The pair is no Nike or Adidas, but the brand can consider the design. It doesn’t feature any shoelace as it’s a slip-on. The upper appears to be something similar to the Charles Birshaw Modular Mule. There is a separate tongue, but the shoe collars are like Nike’s Flyknit.
3. UV-Zhu’s Collection
Has the designer UV-Zhu gone overboard with the footwear? You’d be forgiven to think in the affirmative. To put things in the designer’s perspective, UV-Zhu is seasoned in toiling with everyday objects to ‘fashion’ them in outlooks that aren’t everyday fashion. And this is aptly reflected in the footwear collection at hand. The silhouettes with puffy soles and spongy uppers may just have you gliding in them the moment you happen to step in, but would you?
4. The Feebees Sock Sneakers
The Feebees Sock Sneakers are considered sustainable now because they take advantage of a recycling system that turns old shoes into new ones. However, the journey to the final version hasn’t been easy as there have been several stages of development. Here comes the adult version from the original sock shoes for the kids—finally arriving after a decade. The Feebees Sock Sneakers can improve your running position. It can also help with your balance and maintain the elasticity of your calves. The sneakers are mainly for running, but they are also ideal for outdoor activities, walking, workout, or everyday use. Each pair gives you the feeling of barefoot walking, which has a lot of benefits.
5. The Stela Basic
This pair is set in black but looks more like charcoal. There’s a bit of matte finish for a bit of elegance. However, the entire design of the pair makes the shoes more decorative. It’s more for making a statement than for comfort. The Black Monolith in space inspired SCRY founder Zixiong Wei. You can’t miss the futuristic vibe as it’s something you can imagine floating in space. Someday, when the earthlings can visit Mars or whatever planet, the Stela Basic can be the pair you bring. You may not need comfortable shoes there because you may be floating, but at least you can be stylish for it.
6. NASA-inspired football shoes
Wouldn’t you want to see a Messi vs Ronaldo match-up on the moon to settle who’s the GOAT once and for all? Sure, they would either be wearing space suits or be literally flying around while trying to kick the ball, but wouldn’t that be fun to watch? Well since that is still pretty far into the future (we might get Ronaldo and Messi’s children playing by that time), having a space-themed and futuristic design for football cleats is the next best thing. The question on the designer’s mind is what if NASA started making football boots. What he came up with are futuristic-looking designs inspired by the moon and space but are also minimalistic in their aesthetic. It uses basic colors like white, blue, red, and silver, adding an outer space sheen to the boots.
7. The Poseidon
Designed as a part of the #lacelesschallenge organized by Laceless Design, the Poseidon takes inspiration from the ocean and the variety of creatures that live in it, and expresses the language of the marine in the form of a lifestyle sneaker. In borrowing from the ocean’s vast library of visual inspiration, the Poseidon does look otherworldly, almost like it’s from a different planet altogether.
8. Earth Moc
Designed as a passion project, Daniel Shirkey’s Earth Moc was created as a potential recovery shoe for hikers. Shirley’s prime objective was to figure out how one single material could fulfill every aspect of a shoe’s experience from its flexibility to comfort while giving your feet the support they need after a tough hike. Shirley’s design even comes with treads on its underside that additionally allow you to do some light hiking, giving the right amount of traction required on moderately uneven surfaces and dirt paths.
9. The Rainforest Walk
The Rainforest Walk is a pair of sneakers that lets you enjoy walking in a more natural way, like walking in a rainforest. The design has been imagined to compliment the natural functions of the body. The style of the shoes follows the pattern and visuals from a natural source. The idea of walking barefoot isn’t the only reason for the design. It mimics the natural form of the foot of muscles—like the roots of a tree crawling along with the earth. The shoe starts with a custom anatomical build and is then covered with different patterns that appear to be hugging the foot.
10. The 38%_2101 Running Shoes
Once you’ve set foot on Mars, it may be nice to wear something cool and durable like the 38%_2101 Running Shoes for MARS. The pair is based on the Y-3 running shoes and looks very futuristic. The designer decided to go for the Y-3 because the brand has a futuristic vision. The 38%_2101 Running Shoes for Mars appear to be out of this world, but the pair is also something we can still wear on Earth. The designer’s process included several other inspirations like aerospace equipment and minimal color units and a few items with sharp shapes.