French based insole company Digitsole, is looking to bring footwear into the digital age with the “First Connected and Heating Shoe.” Digitsole showcased their new shoes at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in early January, as well as ISPO where they won an award in the “Footwear Outdoor” category. Their products will let users connect to their shoes via a Smartphone app, which provides a verity of features including temperature control.
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Digitsole first introduced their high tech insoles in 2014. The insoles, which were developed with the help of Zorn-Tech, provide a step counter, calorie tracker, and also heating capabilities. By connecting to the app, the user is able to control the temperature of their shoes, helping to stay warm and dry in the cold. These soles also track steps taken and by inputting the users height and weight the application calculates calories burned as well. Since the step counter is located in the insole itself it provides more accurate results than wrist based trackers.
These insoles are able to be transferred into almost any shoes and could be very useful to those that suffer from cold feet. The user can put these in work boots, running shoes, snow boots, ski boots, etc. However for the time being, if you are heating your shoes the battery only lasts for around six hours. The USB powered charge can last over a day if the soles are not being used to heat your feet and are currently being sold online in Europe and North America for $199.00.
This winter Digitsole entered the world of shoe manufacturing with their launch of three separate “Smartshoes,” all of which incorporate their insoles. The three designs have a wide range of styles, from plain pumps to high tech sneakers that resemble something the Jetsons might wear.
Their most high-tech shoe offers a self-tightening and loosing option controlled by the app, as this sports model does not have laces. It also features a shock absorbent measurement, while offering the same heating and tracking capabilities provided by their insoles. The other two shoes are much more basic: a low-top sneaker (available in blue, white, and red) and a women’s pump. However these more basic models will only provide the warming, step tracking, and calorie burning options.
Digitsole is banking on their consumers being prepared to step foot into the digital age, as the brand hopes to manufacture and sell 10,000 shoes this year alone. Smartshoe’s are currently available for pre-order ($350.00) now, with shipments beginning in the fall of 2016.