Reebok develops super-light footwear for astronauts in partnership with David Clark Company

Reebok has announced that its Floatride Space Boot SB-01 is being tested by astronauts, making it the “first evolution in space footwear in over 50 years.” Working in partnership with David Clark Company, the design utilises Reebok’s Floatride Foam technology to create an extremely lightweight space boot, providing protection and optimising comfort for the wearer.

The boot has been designed to accompany the space suit that athletes all wear when being transported to the International Space Station in the CST-100 Starliner.

“Weight is a huge factor in space travel with just a single pound having big financial implications. Traditional space boots were made of rigid leather with firm soles and were not integrated into the actual space suit,” said Matt Montross, from Reebok Innovation. “Reebok Floatride Foam introduced three revolutionary elements to the space boot; 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.”

The technology is also being applied to a running shoe, the Floatride 100g Racer. The super-lightweight running shoe is undergoing testing and will launch next year.