ByAmbud Sharma

September  29, 2021 (IANSlife) For decades , the footwear industry has primarily focused on style, durability, comfort and basic functionality. But in current times, consumers are looking for much more. Dominating trends like the rise of athleisure, smart shoes, and the increasing popularity of fitness as a lifestyle is  the kind of extra value customers are seeking.
 

The footwear industry, overall, like other industries, is in the midst of a significant transformation unlike any seen before. Footwear brands are facing challenges that can be effectively turned into opportunities by making the right decision at the right time. However, to be able to actually do it, businesses need to be familiar with the relevant concepts created by Industry 4.0. As digital integration in the end-to-end value chain has become a strategic priority for companies, concepts like automation, robotics, additive manufacturing, and digital technology have become an integral part of the day-to-day functions of footwear companies.

Therefore, footwear companies must have a vision about how they can make their products futuristic and offer consumers exactly what they want. And the manufacturers who are on the cutting edge of consumer research and material science can deliver great products and consistent and exceptional financial performance.

How Technology is Impacting the Footwear Industry

Now, with a wide selection of new boot silhouettes and diversified shoe styles designed for the working world, not all footwear has been created equal. Also, the PPE industry has emerged to include a variety of versatile footwear. Low-cut work shoes in sneaker style have become popular for jobs that require the kind of movement akin to a sneaker’s athletic origins.

Sure footing is another essential feature which today’s outsoles can offer with tread designs akin to car or bike tires. Sipping to deflect the flow of liquids quickly, new materials with enhanced grip and better traction, as well as an all-around design that maximizes surface area and tests better with Mark II and Satra anti-slip standards are all necessary to ensure greater sure-footedness on the job. Sporty nylon and synthetic uppers with mesh designs that are non-marring provide improved motion and breathability while giving support and structure.

If sneakers aren’t your cup of tea, the market is replete with wedge and hiking-inspired silhouettes. These boots are closer to the traditional ‘work boots’ in look and feel but sit in a new category of safety and performance thanks to modern materials and innovations. The updated version of work boots includes a range of new safety and comfort features, which make for a modern, sleeker, and more comfortable shoe.

Smart footwear goes much beyond the most basic fabrics and materials, adding some kind of performance-boosting aspect to the product. For instance, some of the new materials used have odour-neutralizing properties. Others light up bright when the wearer’s body temperature peaks to a certain point. Now, we have footwear embedded with sensors that can track the total distance travelled, biometric data and the calories burned.

Several global players are also incorporating additive manufacturing inside their products, especially in the sport's shoes and sneakers business. They make in-house 3D prints which are then used in product aesthetics and functionalities, but even for fixtures.

3D printing has specifically proven to be valuable for designing parts of customized footwear, like plates and cushioning materials such as midsoles, outsoles, and insoles. However, the current limits to 3D printing technology are witnessed in finalizing sets of fully capable materials for footwear and putting the tech in action on a production line.

Footwear companies need huge investments and technical know-how in order to create smart shoes. This requires innovative engineering, expertise and a tremendous amount of resources. There are also some social challenges such as consumers yet do not view smart footwear as part of their life. But advancing technology can resolve these issues. Consumers possess more power than ever now, and with agile startups entering the picture and employing the latest technologies to market via crowdfunding, the margin for error is very thin. It’s majorly about who can select the winners and make them market as quickly as possible. Even investors in the growing footwear space will lookout for the same. Hence, footwear manufacturers who know how to use advanced technologies to their advantage will truly stand out amongst the rest.

(Ambud Sharma is the Founder of Escaro Royale.

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