Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 478,197 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,287 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 107,665 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,287 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 107,665 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,232 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 478,197 cutting edge ideas.

Armored Shoe Substitutes

Clean the Sky - Positive Eco Trends & Breakthroughs

The Swiss Protection Socks Make it Safe to Go Shoeless

— February 12, 2012 — Lifestyle
The new Swiss Protection Socks are taking the barefoot movement in a completely new direction. These socks from the Swiss Barefoot Company are similar to Vibram FiveFingers, in that they encourage people to ditch athletic shoes for a more natural feel. The Swiss Protection Socks take things further than other natural shoe designs by eliminating the structure of the shoe altogether.

The Swiss Protection Socks is essentially a heavily armored sock designed to be worn in place of a shoe. The sock is made from 50% Kevlar, 32% polyester, 10% cotton and 8% spandex. The socks half-Kevlar composition ensures that your feet are protected from rocks and other ground hazards while the polyester and spandex signal flexibility. The socks are meant to be worn in all manner of outdoor athletic activities (rock climbing and running are shown in the images here). The socks sell for $73 for an ankle pair and $78 for a long pair.
Trend Themes
1. Barefoot Movement - Opportunity for companies to innovate armored socks like the Swiss Protection Socks for a more natural feel in athletic activities.
2. Protection Socks - Investment in protective socks with a heavily armored composition will redefine innovative design in the sock industry.
3. Natural Footwear - Companies can explore natural footwear designs with an elimination of the traditional shoe structure for a more minimalist approach.
Industry Implications
1. Athletic Footwear - Opportunity for athletic footwear companies to capitalize on the increasing popularity of the barefoot movement with more natural and protective footwear designs.
2. Sock Manufacturing - Socks with heavily armored designs will drive innovation in the sock manufacturing industry towards protective athletic socks.
3. Outdoor Gear - Incorporating natural footwear designs will give outdoor gear companies a competitive edge in appealing to consumers seeking a more authentic outdoor experience.
5.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness