Avid athletes and weekend warriors alike are really going to dig the new Reebok RealFlex U-FORM+. Reebok's newest addition to its RealFlex line is designed to literally form to your foot. To do that, all you need to do is heat the shoe with a hairdryer for two minutes until the logo on the back goes from black to red. Then, lace the shoe up and give it two minutes to form to your foot.
The Reebok RealFlex U-FORM+ sports a synthetic mesh layer inside its upper, which allows it to be shaped when heated. The shoe company says that the RealFlex U-FORM+ can be reheated and reshaped many times over without damaging the overall quality of the shoe. According to Bill McInnis, head of Reebok Advanced Concepts, the idea behind the shoe is to give everyone the chance to own custom-built footwear.
Shape-Shifting Athletic Shoes
The Reebok Realflex U-FORM+ Reconfigures Itself to Fit Your Foot
Trend Themes
1. Customizable Athletic Footwear - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing technologies and materials that enable athletes to customize their footwear for optimal performance and comfort.
2. Heat-molded Shoes - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Creating heat-responsive materials that can be molded to fit the shape and needs of each individual's foot.
3. Sustainable Shoe Design - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Designing shoes that are reusable and can be reshaped multiple times without compromising their quality or sustainability.
Industry Implications
1. Athletic Footwear - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introducing heat-molding technologies to the athletic footwear industry to offer personalized products that cater to individual needs.
2. Sports Equipment - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Applying heat-molding capabilities to various sports equipment, such as helmets, gloves, and protective gear, to enhance comfort and performance.
3. Material Science - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Exploring and developing heat-responsive materials and textiles that can be used in various industries, including footwear, clothing, and furniture.