Core77

Last week, we showed you Nike's forthcoming Flyknit kicks, which seek to combine the comfort of a sock with the support and protection of a sneaker. Now it's come to our attention that a Swiss company has already been on this track, with a slightly different approach: Get rid of the sneaker altogether.

The somewhat misleadingly-named Swiss Barefoot Company wants you to wear their socks, which are made from kevlar with polyester nubs on the sole, and nothing else. The tone of the copy (and the voice in the video below) has that same no-nonsense Teutonic tone as the Materialica competition brief:

There are shoes that proclaim the barefoot feeling recently. Shoes can not do so naturally, a sole separates the foot from the ground and they also don't protect against injuries... The Swiss Protection Sock (SPS) is designed for people who like to go barefoot without the risk of injury from sharp objects or the feeling of rubber soles.

The special and patented fabric with a polyester nubbed sole offers protection from shells, broken fragments, other natural elements or dangerous objects and offers at the same time maximum freedom as if one is only wearing a sock.

I like the concept, but can't see myself ever wearing these around New York or any other city. There are just too many gross, random liquids that I need a rubber sole to protect me from.

See also: Biodegradable Footwear by 01m OneMoment

More: Footwear | Materials • Comments (2)

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