These boots are made for walking … in space. Adidas subsidiary Reebok has developed a pair of galactic boots that “is being tested by astronauts now,” according to the Canton, MA-based company.
The Reebok Floatride Space Boot SB-01 - this is the official name of the space boot - has been designed to accompany the final space suit which will shuttle astronauts to and from the International Space Station in Boeing’s new vessel, the CST-100 Starliner.
Developed in partnership with David Clark Company, the space boot had to be extremely lightweight, as Matt Montross from Reebok Innovation explained in a statement.
“Weight is a huge factor in space travel with just a single pound having big financial implications,” Montross said.
To accomplish this goal, Reebok used its Floatride Foam technology, first introduced in April of this year with the launch of one of Reebok’s running shoes, Reebok Floatride Run.
“Reebok Floatride Foam introduced three revolutionary elements to the space boot,” Montross explained. “It decreased the overall weight significantly, it brought the added comfort in a space boot and support that you would expect in a running shoe and it delivered a new level of sleekness and style.”
Montross added that traditional space boots were made of rigid leather with firm soles and were not integrated into the actual space suit.
In April, Reebok announced it will bring plant-based footwear to the market later this year.
