Shoes started off as functional designs meant to protect our feet, however with time they’ve now turned into style statements, a representation of our personality and our personal fashion sense. After all, don’t they say that you can tell a lot about a man by the state of his shoes? Personally, I love a good pair of sturdy and stylish sneakers, ones that can get me through the day without giving me any shoe bites, and also match my outfits! However, I do know that this isn’t the case with everybody. People have high demands and expectations when it comes to their footwear, hence designers are unleashing all of their creative juices, leaving no stones unturned in making unique, innovative, and ergonomic shoes! From Nike-inspired minimal trendy shoes to Layer’s modular sustainable sneakers – these footwear designs are as futuristic, inventive, and fashionable as they can get!

1. Averted Vision

Defined by its cushioned design and minimalist profile, Averted Vision is practical and trendy. The cushioned soles take up around half of the shoe’s side profiles, providing ample bounce for playing without gravity. Conceptualized without shoelaces, Averted Vision could benefit from textile technology to form-fit around the wearer’s feet for a snug, comfy fit. The silhouette of the shoe seems to be inspired by designs of today, like Yeezy Foam Runners and Boosts. These days, it sometimes feels like we’re a stone’s throw away from life on Mars, so it’s not surprising that designers tapped into the future are influenced by the trends of today.

2. The Feebees Sock Sneakers

The Feebees Sock Sneakers are considered sustainable now because they take advantage of a recycling system that turns old shoes into new ones. However, the journey to the final version hasn’t been easy as there have been several stages of development. Here comes the adult version from the original sock shoes for the kids—finally arriving after a decade. The Feebees Sock Sneakers can improve your running position. It can also help with your balance and maintain the elasticity of your calves. The sneakers are mainly for running, but they are also ideal for outdoor activities, walking, workout, or everyday use. Each pair gives you the feeling of barefoot walking, which has a lot of benefits.

3. NASA-inspired football shoes

Wouldn’t you want to see a Messi vs Ronaldo match-up on the moon to settle who’s the GOAT once and for all? Sure, they would either be wearing space suits or be literally flying around while trying to kick the ball, but wouldn’t that be fun to watch? Well since that is still pretty far into the future (we might get Ronaldo and Messi’s children playing by that time), having a space-themed and futuristic design for football cleats is the next best thing. The question on the designer’s mind is what if NASA started making football boots. What he came up with are futuristic-looking designs inspired by the moon and space but are also minimalistic in their aesthetic. It uses basic colors like white, blue, red, and silver, adding an outer space sheen to the boots.

4. The Rainforest Walk

The Rainforest Walk is a pair of sneakers that lets you enjoy walking in a more natural way, like walking in a rainforest. The design has been imagined to compliment the natural functions of the body. The style of the shoes follows the pattern and visuals from a natural source. The idea of walking barefoot isn’t the only reason for the design. It mimics the natural form of the foot of muscles—like the roots of a tree crawling along with the earth. The shoe starts with a custom anatomical build and is then covered with different patterns that appear to be hugging the foot.

5. The 38%_2101 Running Shoes

Once you’ve set foot on Mars, it may be nice to wear something cool and durable like the 38%_2101 Running Shoes for MARS. The pair is based on the Y-3 running shoes and looks very futuristic. The designer decided to go for the Y-3 because the brand has a futuristic vision. The 38%_2101 Running Shoes for Mars appear to be out of this world, but the pair is also something we can still wear on Earth. The designer’s process included several other inspirations like aerospace equipment and minimal color units and a few items with sharp shapes.

6. Prima

Prima is an inclusive shoe design that combines a swivel mechanism with a shoehorn to allow users of varying cognitive and motor levels to put on and wear their shoes with ease. While it might seem that shoes are one size fits all, for those with degenerative joint disease or arthritis, putting on shoes first thing in the morning comes with a share of difficulties. To help solve this issue, designer Jean-Michel Rochette developed Prima, a type of shoe designed for older folks and those living with joint pain to put on and wear with ease.

7. The Black Monolith

This pair is set in black but looks more like charcoal. There’s a bit of matte finish for a bit of elegance. However, the entire design of the pair makes the shoes more decorative. It’s more for making a statement than for comfort. The Black Monolith in space inspired SCRY founder Zixiong Wei. You can’t miss the futuristic vibe as it’s something you can imagine floating in space. Someday, when the earthlings can visit Mars or whatever planet, the Stela Basic can be the pair you bring. You may not need comfortable shoes there because you may be floating, but at least you can be stylish for it.

8. The LAYERS sneakers system

The LAYERS sneakers system was a 2021 nominee for the Green Concept Award. It’s been recognized for its design and objectives. Diogo Pimenta knew what he was doing as he made his design easy to assemble and disassemble. It’s a fact that for sneakers to be durable, they need to be properly glued, stitched, and assembled. The process is effective, but it makes the sneakers challenging to disassemble or recycle. The unsustainable method now has a solution: a self-locking system.

9. The Yatay Model 1B

The company introduces the Yatay Model 1B as a new pair of sneakers made of vegetable materials. The idea isn’t new, but we’re excited to know more similar and sustainable efforts are entering the market. With this pair, Golden Goose is inching forward to its mission of becoming a carbon-neutral company. It aims to be a sustainably-run brand with its numerous efforts starting with its partnership with another brand that offers plant-based and recycled materials.

10. The Nike CryptoKicks

Nike and RTFKT’s first digital sneakers have been released and they call them the Nike CryptoKicks. It’s a design based on the Nike Dunk Genesis sneaker, and this is Nike’s foray into the world of NFTs, and eventually the metaverse. RTFKT labels this creation as the “Future of Sneakers” and we truly second that statement. Nike did hint at their interest in crafting digital sneakers and wearables back in November 2021, so after all this reveal isn’t a major surprise for keen followers.