5/12/2006

Japan space sneakers are ultra-high heels
physorg.com: May 12, 2006—-A Japanese shoemaker is developing lightweight sneakers for outer space, hoping to help astronauts keep their muscles from wearing down due to the rigors of zero-gravity. Asics Corp. has teamed up with the Japanese space agency to create the sneakers … with a soft heel and flexible sole, weigh only 130 grams (4.6 ounces) each and incline slightly upward toward the toes. “By having the slant, the shoes would stretch a wearer’s calf muscles even in the no-gravity environment”…more…

So what is so “retro” about these space sneakers?

Well, for hundreds of years, Japanese carpenters have worn what is called jika-tabe (地下足袋) which literal translation charmingly renders as “underground digitized socks” hee, hee. To this day, Japanese construction workers of spilt-toe “foot gloves” with rubberized bottoms. Ninja in movies wear these shoes often. Nike used to sell a similar style named “Air Rift” for around $70.00 USD they are a favorite of my friend Where’sDrew.