Mid July sees sportswear giant Reebok introduces the Space Boot SB-01 with Floatride Foam Technology: a shoe currently being tested by astronauts and trumpeted as the first major evolution in space footwear in over 50 years.
18 July saw Reebok unveil its Floatride Space Boot SB-01 – which includes the brand’s revolutionary Floatride Foam technology to create the extremely lightweight space shoe.
The cosmic footwear is being developed in partnership with aerospace equipment experts David Clark Company, to create an innovative space boot offering astronauts ‘lightweight protection and support while optimizing comfort and performance’.
The boot has been specifically designed to be worn with the space suit which will shuttle astronauts to and from the International Space Station in Boeing’s new vessel – the CST-100 Starliner.
The zip-up boot is made from a fire-resistant polymer named Nomex, while inside, a stretchy, adaptable mesh allows the astronaut a full range of movement while keeping the shoe securely on their foot in a weightless atmosphere.
The minimalist design features simple white branding printed on top of a blue-to-white gradient and aims to complement the royal blue spacesuits the astronauts will wear on their mission.
“Weight is a huge factor in space travel with just a single pound having big financial implications. Traditional space boots were made of rigid leather with firm soles and were not integrated into the actual space suit,” said Matt Montross of Reebok Innovation.
“Reebok Floatride Foam introduced three revolutionary elements to the space boot; it decreased the overall weight significantly, it brought the added comfort in a space boot and support that you would expect in a running shoe and it delivered a new level of sleekness and style.”
Floatride Foam technology was first introduced in April 2017 with the launch of Reebok’s Floatride Run advanced running shoe.
The development of both Floatride Run and Floatride Space Boot SB-01 has led to another Reebok Running innovation – the Reebok Floatride 100g racer (100g in men’s size 9).
“Athletes often tell us that with a lightweight performance running shoe, they can potentially increase their speed, but often times also sacrifice cushioning. Traditionally, super lightweight products equate to less cushioning- but not with the Floatride Racer. Floatride Foam technology allows you to maintain optimal cushioning in a super lightweight package,” Montross continued.
“Reebok Floatride Foam introduced three revolutionary elements to the space boot,” he continued.
“It decreased the overall weight significantly, it brought the added comfort in a space boot and support that you would expect in a running shoe and it delivered a new level of sleekness and style.”
Traditionally, astronauts walk around in tough leather boots with firm soles, which looked like cumbersome buckets of cement.
The initiative was promoted by media partners across the digital and social space.
"The first evolution in space footwear in over 50 years.”https://t.co/lDf1Aeakd3
— HYPEBEAST (@HYPEBEAST) July 18, 2017
Reebok returns to space with revolutionary new boot for astronauts https://t.co/n4KKx9n9pJ pic.twitter.com/DmiCttqs5R
— Sneaker News (@SneakerNews) July 18, 2017
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The space boot initiative, at this stage at least, is mostly a quirky, fun-fuelled PR push.
But Reebok isn’t a brand that shies away from trying new things: after all, it has 3D printed shoes with gloopy liquid rubber and also grown footwear from corn and cotton.
What’s next?
Space shoes of course!
Actually, this isn’t the first time Reebok has released a space-related shoe.
Last year the brand launched the iconic Alien Stompers worn by actress Sigourney Weaver in the 1986 sci-fi film Aliens.
While rivals Under Armour created gear for astronaut Mark Watney (played by Matt Damon) in a promo for Ridley Scott’s “The Martian”.
And Nike’s Back To The Future self-lacing boots have been released at least twice since the film came out back in 1985 (see case study).
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