Innovative shoe designs are constantly emerging, even when you think that everything that could be done with shoes has been done. One of the most impressive technologies when it comes to shoemaking right now is 3D printing, which provides the potential for people to create a completely custom pair of shoes. As well as providing an optimal fit, 3D-printed shoes also unlock the potential to correct foot problems or irregular walking patterns that may cause shoes to wear faster, such as if you’re prone to dragging your heels.
Although the art of making shoes by hand is a dying craft, big brands like Nike and Adidas are looking to lo-tech crafts as a source of inspiration, as seen in the Flyknit and Samba Primeknit, which have knit textures that make the shoes more sock-like, flexible and comfortable.
95 Innovative Shoe Designs
94
Found Object-Constructed Shoes
Winde Rienstra's Shoes Make Use of Unconventional Materials
93
Delicately Folded Footwear
Unifold by Horatio Yuxin Han is Made from One Piece of Material
92
Artistic Custom Shoes
Wear Your Favorite Video Game Icons on Your Feet with These Video Game Shoes
91
3D-Printed Pumps
The Instant Shoe Concept Proposes Perfectly Tailored Footwear
90
Technological Footwear
The Cedric Fiazinski Ultimate Bespoke Shoe is Custom-Made
89
3D-Printed Wedges
Hoon Chung Footwear Collection Offers Curvy & Cute Styles
88
Blade-Infused Runners
Adidas Takes Running to the Next Level with the New Springblade (SPONSORED)
87
Sock-Like Sneakers
The Nike Free Flyknit Grips the Foot Like a Sock
86
Atypically Constructed Footwear
Designer Anna Korshun Doesn't Use Glue or Stitching for Shoes
85
3D Printed Sneakers
The Nike Football 3D Printed Shoes are Unbelievable
84
Folding Flat-Pack Footwear
EIN/Tritt Origami Shoes
83
Beehive High Heels
The Honey Natasha Shoe Has the Fashion World Buzzing
82
Shoe Made of Garbage
Nike Trash Talk
81
Rainbow-Colored Runners
Nike's Flyknit Racer and HTM Shoes are Vibrantly Knitted Fashion Styles
80
Sock-Like Sneakers (UPDATE)
The Nike Free Flyknit 2013 Launch Collection is Like a Second Skin
79
Bespoke Shoe Tattoo Services
Oliver Sweeney is Inviting People to Get Tattooed Shoes by Henry Hate
78
Sharp Skeletal Stilettos
These Janina Alleyne Designs are the Future of Footwear
77
Futuristic Running Shoes
Y-3 Combines Technology and Fashion in its Latest Running Shoe
76
Eco-Friendly Interchangeable Shoes
These Eco-Shoes are One-of-a-Kind Customizable Designs
75
New Media-Inspired Footwear
The Spring/Summer 2014 Y3 Adidas Shoes Are More Artful Than Sporty
74
Titanium 3D-Printed Heels
These Titanium 3D High Heels are Anything But Ordinary
73
Shoe Brand-Inspired Exhibits (UPDATE)
The Flyknit Collective Features Art Inspired by Nike Shoes
72
High Performance Geometric Shoes
The Nike Free 2014 Running Shoes Leave the Competition Trailing
71
Illusionary Chain-Linked Heels
Casadei's Chain Link-Inspired Collection Boasts Edgy Shine
70
Printed Pliable Footwear
Earl Stewart Uses 3D Printing Technology to Create His XYZ Shoes
69
Printed 3D Nylon Shoes
The Pauline Van Dongen 'Metamorphosis' Line at The Future of Fashion
68
Inside-Out Street Shoes
Elisa Van Joolen's Inverted Kicks Show an Unseen Side of Shoes
67
Futuristic Transforming Trainers
The MORPH Adaptive Sole Changes to Fit Your Footwear Needs
66
Stylish Oxblood Running Kicks
These Nike Lunar Flyknit Chukkas Blend Running with Streetwear
65
3d-Printed Latticed Footwear
The Strvct Line by Continuum Fashion is Filled with Delicate Designs
64
Lace-Tying Eliminators
ZIPPEDs Allows You to Put on and Take Off Your Shoes with Absolute Ease
63
Vibrantly Knitted Runners
The Nike Lunar 1 Kicks Use Flyknit Technology to Help Athletes Soar
62
High-Top Flip Flops
Chuck Taylor Sandals are a Badass Beach Essential
61
Flawless Foot-Hugging Runners
The Under Armour SpeedForm Fits Like a Bra for Your Feet
60
Superior Spring-Like Sneakers
The Adidas Springblade Offers Unparalleled Running Performance
59
Hybrid Footwear
Toe-Less Sneakers by Kim Kiroic for Spring 2010
58
Skeletal Stilettos
The Melonia Shoe by Naim Josefi and Souzan Youssouf
57
Lightweight Leaping Shoes
The Kobe Bryant Sneakers Slither Like a Snake
56
Fantasy-Inspired Footwear
Danuta Tydor Presents a Psychedelic Shoe Collection
55
Foldable Footwear
Minimax Reduces Waste From Packaging
54
Hand-Knitted Soccer Cleats
These Adidas Soccer Cleats Have an at-Home Feel
53
Men's Angled Heels
The Jeffrey Campbell Switchblade Shoes Transform You Into an Instant Rockstar
52
Gamma Ray Basketball Sneakers
The Nike LeBron 11 'Gamma Blue' is Inspired by Science
51
Paper Running Sneakers
Cardboard Nike Air Shoes Can Be Mistaken for a Real Shoe
50
Foldable Waterproof Wellies
The New Foldable Hunter Boot Fends From Rainy Days While On the Go
49
Ergonomically Stylish Summer Shoes
The Pluggz Men and Women's Summer Shoes Are Comfortably Chic
48
Dapper Laser Cut Shoes
The Laser Cut Shoes from 'Carven' are Perfect for the Stylish Man
47
Ballet Flats in a Bag
Tipsy Feet
46
Sock Hybrid Soccer Cleats
Adidas Released a Surprising Knitted Football Shoe and Sock Combo
45
Vegan Footwear Lookbooks
The Good Guys Don't Wear Leather Advertisements Are Animal-Free
44
Personalized Printed Pumps
DreamHeels.com Lets You Design Your Shoe & Earn Money
43
Transforming Seasonal Footwear
The Deformation Slippers Fold From One Type of Shoe into Another
42
Malleable Leather Accessories
The Linda Sieto Cut & Fold Collection is Enchanting
41
Blind-Aiding Sneakers (UPDATE)
The Le Chal Shoes Use GPS & Vibrations to Guide the Impaired
40
Cardboard Sneakers
I HAVE POP Creates Shoes Made Out Boxes
39
Stick-Constructed Stilettos
Take a Walk on the Wild Side with Julia Kaldy
38
Space Age Lightweight Footwear
The Nike Mercurial Victory IV CR7 IC Boasts Top Sports Technology
37
Customized Sprinting Shoes
'Designed to Win' Footwear Will Help Athletes Run Faster
36
Bright Fold-Down Footwear
The Visvim FW11 Shoe Collection Boasts Unique Patchwork Designs
35
Balancing Act Booties
Trippen Dream Shoes Have a Strappy, Unconventional Aesthetic
34
Illuminating Snowboard Boots
The Nike LED Snowboarding Boots Will Light Up Your Board
33
Fibrous Footwear Designs
The Liz Ciokajlo Natural Selection Collection is Made Out of Eco Material
32
Padded Sole Heaters
ThermaCELL Heated Insoles Prevent Wet Shoes and Cold Feet
31
Phone-Integrated Footwear Art
This 3D Printed Shoe Commemorates FreshFiber's Unusual iPhone Cases
30
Ultra Light Cleats
The adizero F50 Crazylight is the Lightest Cleat Ever
29
Foldable Featherweight Footwear
The Timberland Radler Trail Camp Shoe is a Portable Hiking Boot
28
Luxe Car Sneakers
The adidas Sport Bounce: S³ Has a Futuristic Aesthetic
27
Sock-Inspired Sneakers
The Nike HTM Flyknit Chukka Takes Cues from Warm Winter Socks
26
3D-Printed High-Tops
The Sneakerbot II Shoes Can Be Crumpled, Stashed Then Reshaped for Wearing
25
Backward Nature-Inspired Footwear
These shoes by Rene van der Berg Feature Backwards Heels
24
Recycled Rain Boots
Boots by 'Waste for Life' are Made From Recycled Plastic Bags
23
Blade-Like Training Shoes
The Adidas Springblade Razor Shoes Have Blades Protruding from the Soles
22
Folded Footwear
Marloes ten Bhomer's Origami-Inspired Heels (UPDATE)
21
3D Printed Shoes
The Rapidform Shoe by Chau Har Lee is Geometric in Shape
20
Vibrant Lightweight Kicks
The Nike 'Flyknit Lunar1+' Sneaker Collection is Cushioned
19
Foldable Eco Footwear
Pocketflops are Fashionable & Convenient Flip Flops
18
Coral-Like Shoe Soles
The A Wrong Mongrel Collection by Ross Barber is Comprised of Wearable Art
17
Self-Healing Living Sneakers
The Protocells Trainers Form a Literal Second Skin Around Your Feet
16
Sweat-Free Shoe Technology
GEOX’s XENSE Shoes Have Pores That Exude Sweat and Odor
15
Optical IIllusion Cubic Sneakers
The Pierre Hardy Cubicorama Kicks are Spectacularly Geometric
14
Lumber Kicks
Michael Lau Designs Nike SB Faux Wooden Shoes
13
Wooden Block Shoes
The Pernilla Collection by Cat Potter is Inspired by the Art of Ricky Swallow
12
Barefoot-Simulating Soccer Footware
The Nike 'Hypervenom' Shoes Provide a Nude Feel on the Field
11
DIY LED High-Tops
Light Up Sneakers Will Jolt Up Your Ensemble with Electricity
10
Customizable Cut-Out Footwear
Uncut is a Pair of Slippers at the Tip of Your Scissors
9
Revolutionary Knitted Soccer Shoes
Nike's Magista is Changing the Soccer World for the Better
8
Sleek Nordic Rain Boots
The Unikia Nordic Grip Wets are Comfortable and Stylish
7
Paper Pop-Up Shoes
The CoupleOf ‘Lily' Laced Shoe by Nadav Bignitz is a Fun Replica
6
Purse-Infused Flip-Flops
Reef Stash Sandals Lets You Keep Your Personal Items at Foot's Reach
5
Flexible Skate Shoes
The Nike SB Lunar One Shot Shoe is a Skateboarder's Dream Shoe
4
Space Foam Sneakers
The 2012 Nike Pantheon Shoes Use Materials Inspired by Astronauts
3
3D-Printed Wedges
These 3D-Printed Pumps are Made Overnight with a System from Cubify
2
Cardboard Shoes
Decorative Craft Footwear Unfit for a Rainy Day
1
Foldable Footwear
'City Slips' Give Your Feet a Second Wind
Related Ideas
Spectacular Splashing Footwear
These Cry Baby Shoes Reference the Puddles of Tears of a Woman
Artistic Custom Shoes
Wear Your Favorite Video Game Icons on Your Feet with These Video Game Shoes
Levitating Shoes
These Clear Platform Creepers from Y.R.U Make it Look Like You're Hovering
Peculiar Feline Pumps
Designer Kobi Levi is Behind These Cat Themed High Heels
Thin Brand Logos
These Well-Known Brands Are Transformed with Barely-There Minimal Logos
Ombre Running Shoes
The Nike WMNS Roshe Run Print Comes in Laser Crimson and White-Bright Grape
Striking Icicle Stilettos
The Ice Queen Shoe is Fit for a Cold and Hard Woman
Weaponry Women's Footwear
The Boss Shoe was Inspired by the Designer's Volatile Ex-Girlfriend
Handbag-Inspired Sneakers
The En Noir x Buscemi 125mm Sneakers Hit New Levels of Lavish
Self-Lacing Shoes (UPDATE)
Nike Brings It Back to the Future with the Re-Release of the Nike MAG
Eco-Friendly Interchangeable Shoes
These Eco-Shoes are One-of-a-Kind Customizable Designs
New Media-Inspired Footwear
The Spring/Summer 2014 Y3 Adidas Shoes Are More Artful Than Sporty
Cutting-Edge Sports Equipment
The Agent CTRUS Football Changes Color When It's Passed the Goalpost
Unnecessarily Jagged Sole Sneakers
The Rick Owens x Adidas Originals Tech Runner Pushes Boundaries
Shoe Box Structures (UPDATE)
This Adidas Pop Up Shop Showed Off Its Stan Smith Collection
Refugee Footwear Photography
A Long Walk by Shannon Jensen Captures a Heart-Wrenching Reality
Fashionable Fitness Trackers
The Gold NIKE+ Fuelband SE Looks More Like Jewelry Than Gym Equipment
Swamp-Inspired Sneakers
The Air Max LeBron 10 Low 'Swamp Thing' is Creepy
Inside-Out Street Shoes
Elisa Van Joolen's Inverted Kicks Show an Unseen Side of Shoes
Liquid Metal Footwear
The Lunar Force 1 Hi SP Are Golden Sneakers for the Summer Season
Futuristic Transforming Trainers
The MORPH Adaptive Sole Changes to Fit Your Footwear Needs
Logo-Incorporated Classical Paintings
Swoosh Art by Davide Bedoni Modernizes Vintage Artworks
Stylish Oxblood Running Kicks
These Nike Lunar Flyknit Chukkas Blend Running with Streetwear
Film-Inspired Footwear
The New Megatron Nike Sneakers Fill Geeks with Glee
Classy Skater Kicks
The Adidas Busenitz ADV Skate Shoe Is Fancy and Skate-Ready
Vintage Polychromatic Sneaker Designs
The Adidas Originals Remix Oddity Flip Conventional Style
NBA Star Footwear
The Nike Basketball 2014 Elite Series Team Collection is in Time for Playoffs
Cupid-Struck Stilettos
Heart Breaker Shoes Should Be Worn as a Warning for a Certain Type of Woman
Stone-Inspired Designer Kicks
Balenciaga's Marble Sneakers Boasts an Organic Vein Print
Fierce Animalistic High Heels
The Charlotte Olympia She Wolf Pumps Feature Hungry Wolves
Shoe-Inspired Supercar Wraps
The Lamborghini Aventador King's Pride Celebrates LeBron's New Shoe
Exotic DIY Shoe Accents
Add Animal Print to Any Pair of Sneakers with This Simple DIY Guide
Glowing Logo Boots
The Nike Snowboarding LunarENDOR Quickstrike is Visible for Afar
Pro Bowl-Inspired Footwear
These Floral Print NIKE Air Trainer 1's are Pro Bowl Themed
Retro Cigarette-Packaged Kicks
Jason Ruff Repurposes Cigarette Packaging for his Sneaker Art
Mirrored Accessory Photoshoots
The Editorial by Leandro Farina for Surface Magazine is Reflective
Rough-Hewn High Heels
The Rock Shoe was Made for a Woman with Feet Planted Firmly on the Ground
Vintage Victorian Booties
Etsy's Retro Leather Booties are a Great Halloween Costume Accessory
Vision Loss Apps
The Retina App Lets Users Experience the World of Blindness
Toy Soldier Stilettos
The GI Jane Shoe Represents the Desirable Daughter of a Colonel
Luxe Walking Shoes
These Balenciaga Sneakers Marry Comfort with Luxe Design Details
Geology-Inspired Footwear
Barbora Veselá's Geology of Shoes Takes Cues from Rock Formations
Hand-Knitted Soccer Cleats
These Adidas Soccer Cleats Have an at-Home Feel
Oscars-Inspired Basketball Shoes
Nike Released Very Unexpected Oscar Awards-Inspired Air Jordans
Bedazzled Bunny Shoes
Stand Out with These Sparkly Platform Shoes
Sock Hybrid Soccer Cleats
Adidas Released a Surprising Knitted Football Shoe and Sock Combo
Upscaled Fitness Bracelets
Stay Active in Style with the Rose Gold Nike+ Fuelband
Color Blind-Addressing Browsers
Google Chrome ReColor Project Will Allow Users to Adjust Colors
Iconic Footwear Brand Hybrids
The Newest Air Jordan Release is for Jordan Fans and Runners Alike
Colorado-Inspired Sneakers
This Special Edition of the Colorado Eighty-Five Celebrates Ski Slopes
Optimized Blind Air Filters
The Window Air Purifier Works with Existing Architectural Ventilation
Color-Infused Cleats
This Nike Launch Introduces Colorful Limited-Edition Cleats
Playful Soccer-Inspired Lights
This Soccer Ball Lamp Will Brighten Up a Little Soccer Fan's Room
Festive Christmas Kicks
Celebrate Christmas in Style with the Nike Lebron 11 Christmas Shoes
Tactile Sight Devices
The Braille Contact Lens by Bar Ilan University Gives Sight to the Blind
Sleek Monochromatic Kicks
The Balenciaga Holiday 2013 Collection Features Some Great Sneakers
Space Age Lightweight Footwear
The Nike Mercurial Victory IV CR7 IC Boasts Top Sports Technology
Department Store Sneaker Collaborations
New Balance and Harrods Team Up to Create the New USA 574s
Tribal Studded Slip-On Shoes
The Roshe Run Slip On for Spring 2014 is a Complete Remodel
Bottle-Popping Footwear
The Reef Bottle Opener Sandals Will Make Enjoying Beers on the Beach Easy
Opalescent Rainbow Shoes
These Platform Shoes From Y.R.U are Certainly Colorful
Intentionally Cumbersome Jewelry
Hana Karim's Unusual Jewelry Designs are Unusually Heavy
Shoe-Tying Cheatsheets
The EZLeaps Shoe Tying Tool by Eileen Sloan Simplifies the Tedious Task
Deadly High Heels
The Cigarette Shoes are Smoking Hot
Handheld Braille Writing Robots
The Braigo Braille Printer is a Handheld Machine for the Blind
Festive Sneaker Collabs
Adidas' Christmas in Hollis Run-D.M.C Sneakers Are Just Festive Enough
8-Bit Running Sneakers
The Nike Free Trainer 7.0 is in Honor of Warren Sapp
Basketball-Inspired Skate Shoes
These Vans Era 'Knicks' Are a Cross Between Sports
Batik Skater Sneakers
The VANS x Della Shoes Feature a Rustic West African Tie-Dye Print
Money-Hungry Sneaker Decals
The Jeremy Scott Sneakers are Designed with Dollar Bills
Grandpa Skater Kicks
The Nike SB Stefan Janoski AC RS is Skater Approved
Cozy Wool Slip-Ons
The Glerups Slippers is Referred to as the Indoor Shoe
Blade-Like Training Shoes
The Adidas Springblade Razor Shoes Have Blades Protruding from the Soles
Sports Ball-Themed Socks
These Funny Socks Look Like Sports Balls When They Are Rolled Up
Cute Critter Feet Snugglers
These Mouse Slippers by H&M Baby are Soft and Warm
Gazing Blindness Photography
These Ruben Plasencia Canino Photos Make You See Things Differently
Glamorous 1940s Star Pumps
The Charlotte Olympia Leading Lady Heels Feature Rita Hayworth
Zebra-Inspired Sneakers
The Nike Air Flightposite 1 Exposed 'Zebra' Is Zoo-Inspired
Self-Healing Living Sneakers
The Protocells Trainers Form a Literal Second Skin Around Your Feet
Dark Manadarin Sneakers
The Nike SB Zoom Stefan Janoski Is Dark and Floral
Impressive Football Prostheses
The Impetus Soccer Prosthesis Enables Amputees to Play More Sports
Slick Turtle Kicks
The Custom Donatello Nike Air Force Sneakers are Perfect for TMNT Fans
Six-Paneled Soccer Balls
Adidas' 2014 World Cup Ball Has Only Six Panels Instead of 32
Anti-Odor Footwear
The Toe Half Socks Strap to Your Feet to Cover Up Bad Feet Smells
Acorn-Embroidered Curved Heels
The Alexander McQueen Suede Wedges Add Beauty
Six-Paneled Soccer Balls (UPDATE)
Adidas' Brazuca Has Been Highly Tested for the 2014 World Cup
Sweet Sundae Pumps
The Sundae High Heels from Charlotte Olympia May Have You Craving Ice Cream
Gigantic Inflatable Sports Equipment
Keep Track of Your Gear with the Personalized Soccer Ball
DIY Leather Footwear
Designer Sara Gulyas Has Created a DIY Shoe Assembly Kit
Revolutionary Knitted Soccer Shoes
Nike's Magista is Changing the Soccer World for the Better
Sleek Nordic Rain Boots
The Unikia Nordic Grip Wets are Comfortable and Stylish
Flexible Skate Shoes
The Nike SB Lunar One Shot Shoe is a Skateboarder's Dream Shoe
Iconic Monster Slippers
These Godzilla Slippers are Ideal for Stomping Around in Something Cozy
Self-Closing Smart Blinds
Jalousier Will Close Your Blinds Whenever it Gets too Bright
Sci-Fi Kitty Slippers
Combine Your Love for Star Wars and Hello Kitty with These Adorable Shoes
Bronzed Metallic Mules
These Chic Zara Shoes Make a Seamless Transition from Day to Evening
Spooky Christmas Movie Pumps
Get Ready for the Holidays with the Nightmare Before Christmas Heels
Pink Cancer Awareness Pumps
Show Your Support for Finding a Cure with These Breast Cancer Shoes
Space Station Soccer Balls
The Death Star Soccer Ball Brings the Force to the Field