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The MBT (Masai Barefoot Technology) shoe claims to replicate the walking conditions of the Masai of Kenya. Both back problems and shoes are unknown to the Masai, who travel with a hop step over the spongy earth of their homeland. MBT shoes have a curved sole that creates a walking step of slight imbalance, activating muscle groups that normally atrophy in the flat-shoe user. The FitFlop presents a different interpretation to designing the imbalanced step of barefoot walking (without the bare feet). The FitFlop sole is comprised of a synthetic in variegated density, creating what FitFlop calls a “microwobbleboard” effect.

The effectiveness of FitFlops were analysed through recordings of 3-Dimensional motions and forces during gait. EMG data were collected on the Medial Gastrocnemius, Tibialis Anterior, Quadriceps and Hamstrings.

The only thing more fabulous than fashion is Fashion Technology. Here are a few useful links:

Moondial

Alison Lewis   <– In particular check out her links page for a MASSIVE list of resources for all your fashion, physical computing, and conductive textiles needs!!!

ZCouture Fashiontech Panel Contest   <– Coming up this fall! Send them a short essay, win a prize!

Glenn Bach has a great blog on Pedestrian Culture today and throughout human history. Very useful bibliography as well as comprehensive links.

As part of our very serious research on the physical health benefits of walking and the emotional health benefits of owning numerous pairs of high heels, we joined a session of Legwork, an exercise class combining principles of yoga and pilates, designed to target the muscles necessary for walking properly in heels. Following the challenging mat workout was a lesson on walking in heels. Students brought their favorite or most difficult pair, and with the aid of booming Bitch Hop, we learned to strut like supermodels. Most memorable were our instructor’s very accurate as well as hilarious demonstrations of the various mis-walks that most women perform on a daily basis, inflicting themselves with blisters and back problems, not to mention inadvertently impersonating chickens or horses at dressage.  

Victor Chu, founder of Legwork and a seasoned designer of women’s shoes, also has a very interesting fashion technology portfolio.

An article in the New York Times about Dr. David Ogilvie’s study, ‘Interventions to Promote Walking,’ highlights the finding that programs emphasizing environmental benefits of walking were effective in getting folks off the couch and onto the sidewalks! Read the article here.

Learn more about this research.

A carbon fiber is a long, thin strand of material about 0.0002-0.0004 in (0.005-0.010 mm) in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in microscopic crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber. The crystal alignment makes the fiber incredibly strong for its size. Several thousand carbon fibers are twisted together to form a yarn, which may be used by itself or woven into a fabric. The yarn or fabric is combined with epoxy and wound or molded into shape to form various composite materials. Carbon fiber-reinforced composite materials are used to make aircraft and spacecraft parts, racing car bodies, golf club shafts, bicycle frames, fishing rods, automobile springs, sailboat masts, and many other components where light weight and high strength are needed.

Carbon fibers are classified by the tensile modulus of the fiber. Tensile modulus is a measure of how much pulling force a certain diameter fiber can exert without breaking. The English unit of measurement is pounds of force per square inch of cross-sectional area, or psi. Carbon fibers classified as “low modulus” have a tensile modulus below 34.8 million psi (240 million kPa). Other classifications, …

We asked New York City women about their relationship with their heels. Here’s what we found out:

Colleen 

1. How often do you wear heels? Everyday.

2. On what occasions do you wear them? To work, going out, to the deli…

3. What kinds of shoes do you like? Something over the top of VERY plain. I prefer something with a high heel, but recently started wearing some lower heel and even flat shoes (sneakers).

4. How do you feel about high heels? I feel like some of my legs are missing when I do not have them on… Sometimes they are painful, but when I wear flat shoes I get pains in my legs because they’re not used to stretching so much that my heel can hit the ground. 

5. How high are your heels? 2.5-4inches.

6. What kind of heels do you like? I have many stiletto heels, but usually wear medium thickness, because most boots come with those kind of heels. In the summer, I wear a lot more really thin heels because I don’t like clunky open shoes unless they are a wedge heel to make a statement. 

7. How often do you buy shoes? I am always on the hunt! I buy them …

Spring-loaded action added to women’s high heeled shoes makes for a high-powered pedestrian vehicle that lifts you higher and gets you where you’re going faster. Inspired by the urban walking woman, her notorious investment in her footwear, and especially her desire to live more sustainably.

HOW IT WORKS

A carbon fiber leaf spring in a c-coil shape is bolted to the truncated heel of a shoe. The kit includes a pair of springs, attachment component, and instructions. The kit model allows for spring rate tailoring based on the wearer’s height, weight, and lifestyle. The wearer brings the kit and her favorite pair of heels to her neighborhood cobbler who affixes the springs, hotrodding her shoes. 

WHY WE LIKE IT (aka The Goods)

The Upshoes spring kit acknowledges that the term ‘transport’ is interpreted more widely than in industrialized nations. Walking, cycling, animal-driven vehicles and even wheelbarrows are transport too, and must be considered in transport planning. Upshoes provide an alternative transport technology that decreases the consumption of fossil fuels in urban areas where walking is an efficient way to get around. 

Tailored to the individual, the kit …

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