Core77
e
- Topics
- Features
- Awards
- Careers
-
Firms
- Firms
- Search Firms;
- Firm Projects
- Forums
-
More...
- About Us
- Contact Us
- Advertise
- About
- Terms of Use
Shortly after moving to the country, I saw one of these in a neighbor's basement, and thought it was a workholding device for woodworking.
Enter a caption (optional)"No, it's a boot jack," he said, doing an excellent job of hiding his surprise that I didn't know what it was. (City boy, here.)
Out in these rural parts, boots are more common than Nikes, so it makes sense that everyone has a boot jack. What doesn't make sense to me is their design. You use them like this:
Getting the first boot off, no problem. The part that doesn't make sense to me is that you then step on the jack with your freshly-exposed sock. More often than not, when I take my boots off, they're muddy. I assume you'd get fresh mud on the jack when taking the first boot off, then transfer that mud to the bottom of your sock when bracing the jack to remove the other boot. I looked around and every boot jack I saw, despite minor differences in detail, appears to have this same flaw:
Enter a caption (optional)
Enter a caption (optional)
Enter a caption (optional)
Enter a caption (optional)
Enter a caption (optional)
Enter a caption (optional)I actually think this would make an interesting assignment for an ID student: How would you design a similarly minimal object that gets the boots off, but keeps your socks clean in the process?
Rain Noe
Rain Noe is a writer and industrial designer based in New York City.
16 Comments
-
The "solution" to this design "problem" is a doormat. Do you routinely come inside with mud on your shoes?
Step 1: Wipe off your feet outside (or wash them off with a water hose if super muddy).Step 2: Go insideStep 3: Use boot jack!Report as spam-
Wiping your boots off before you use the boot jack is the obvious solution. Those who don't immediately think of it were probably raised in a barn. /snark
!Report as spam
-
-
I think this is resolved:
Doormat - Wet RemovalBoot Brush - Dry and Mud RemovalBoot Jack - Boot Removal!Report as spam -
Put a second one next to the first? If homemade, easy, cheap, compact.
!Report as spam -
I would suggest putting the fulcrum/leg on the top as well as the bottom. That way you could remove one boot, flip the jack over and remove the other boot.
!Report as spam-
Neat and compact, although you do have to bend down to turn it.
!Report as spam
-
-
i suggest extending the stepping surface with its fulcrum to fit two feet, one for the dirty boot and the other for a bare sock separated by a barrier for no cross-overs.
!Report as spam -
Extending the stepping surface for two feet spaces, for the contaminated boot as well as the clean sock and then extended fulcrum makes sense to me....
!Report as spam -
Not thinking of a doormat is the problem. Cause when there’s mud on your shoes and you don’t wipe it off before taking off the boots, you’d probably step into mud no matter what.
Perfect example of a designer making incorrect assumptions!Report as spam-
I have yet to see a glimpse of evidence that Rain is actually a designer
!Report as spam
-
-
The heel-to-toe stance makes balance much more difficult. I sometimes remove my shoes by standing the toe of one on the heel of the other, and I almost always need to lean on something for balance. I would mount the jack to a base 3x as wide, and stand feet side-by-side to use. Solves the sock soiling problem too.
!Report as spam -
In my limited observations the people who use boot jacks aren't using them with their muddy boots. Like the example in the video, crocodile belly boots aren't typically the kind of boots you get dirty like that.
!Report as spam -
Take boot 1 off halfway, then remove boot 2. Kick boot 1 off.
!Report as spam -
Just make the stand on part wider, but try to remember to take the same boot off first ... :)
!Report as spam -
I don’t know about minimal, but I’ve seen them with an arch over them and a swinging paddle that acts as a brace for the toe of the boot while you use your hands on an upper t-bar as purchase. Ends up being quite a large piece of hall furniture though!
!Report as spam -
Where are you, again? I've lived in semi-rural Ohio most of my life and have never come across one of these. Also, the only people I've met with boots like that are "cowboys" who like to line dance and drive lifted trucks.
!Report as spam
Related Reading
-
Nike Introduces Self-Lacing Sneakers in a New Context
As a former basketball player, I can attest to the discomfort that comes along...
By Emily Engle - January 15
1 Comment -
Studio Hagel Collabs With Ecco, Creating 18 Different "Technical" Shoe Designs
The collection pokes fun at streetwear's obsession with unnecessary functionality
By Emily Engle - December 20, 2018
-
Having My Feet Scanned by a Fancy Newfangled Shoe Size Measurement Device
This Aetrex scanner is nifty, but I don't think it's more accurate than a Brannock Device
By Rain Noe - December 18, 2018
3 Comments -
Great, Classic, Long-Lived Design: The Unsung Brannock Device
Where would footwear design be, without an accurate way for customers to find the right shoe size?
By Rain Noe - December 18, 2018
Continued Reading
-
-
Combine Your Love of Graphics & Architecture as a Graphic Designer at SHoP Architects
Company: SHoP Architects Location: US – New York, New York Job Level: GRAPHIC DESIGNER...
By Coroflot Jobs - November 15
-
Jon Sauer's Incredible Rose Engine Turning Patterns
Technical mastery combined with artistic expression
By Rain Noe - November 15
-
The Maximum Viable Product
Designers should strive to do more than simply solve problems
By Michael DiTullo - November 15
3 Comments -
Unocup Duo Designs Dos Into Uno
This new disposable coffee cup design aims to rid us of our dependence on plastic to-go lids
By John P. Kazior - November 15
-
Is Apple Sleeping? Motorola Returns to Human-Focused Design Dominance with Their Incredible Folding Smartphone
They've brought back the Razr, and it looks to be a doozy
By Rain Noe - November 15
3 Comments -
Sponsored PostMichelin Challenges Creatives to Upcycle
Michelin North America is celebrating its 20th global design competition, Michelin Challenge Design, in...
By Core Jr - November 15
-
-
Facadism: When Architects are Forced to Design New Buildings Behind Existing Facades
Spitalfields Life's new photo book, "The Creeping Plague of Ghastly Facadism," documents examples from London
By Rain Noe - November 15
-
Sponsored PostCurrently Crowdfunding: A Portable Espresso Maker, Magnetic Cutlery, and More
The most notable campaigns of the week
By Core Jr - November 14
-
Get $400 Off an SLA 3D Printer--If You Own (Any) FDM 3D Printer
Both FDM and SLA have their place. Formlabs is hoping you'll use both
By Rain Noe - November 14
-
The Jester: A Microphone Designed for Modern-Day Content Creators
German design agency SMAL brings the decades-old design up to date
By Rain Noe - November 14
1 Comment -
This Bay Area Packaging Designer Paired Silicon Valley Vibes with a Zero-Waste Ethos
by Yi Mao for ArtCenter College of Design
By Core77 Design Awards - November 14
-
McMansion Hell Site Tackles the Wealthy Suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Looks like bad design is a nonpartisan issue
By Rain Noe - November 14
-
Display Your Passion for Crafting Experiences as an Exhibit Designer at Exhibitpro, in Columbus, OH
Bring your positive mental attitude and work in their new state-of-the art facility
By Coroflot Jobs - November 14
-
Eco-Friendly Construction Breakthrough: Lego-like Hempcrete Blocks That Don't Require Framing
The interlocking bricks are also temperature-regulating and fireproof
By Rain Noe - November 14
Core77's Design Directory
L. Strong
Paulo Buchinho
K
{Welcome
Create a Core77 Account
Already have an account? Sign In
By creating a Core77 account you confirm that you accept the Terms of Use
K
Reset Password
Please enter your email and we will send an email to reset your password.