ECTOTHERM - Convertible Boot for Herpetologists

  • Prize
    Winner in Sportswear Design / Footwear
  • University
    University of Oregon
  • Lead Designer
    Daniel Carhuff
  • Professor Credit
    Leslie Speer, Susan Sokolowski
  • Photo Credit
    Daniel Carhuff
  • Design Status
    Concept
  • Project Link
  • Web URL

Description
ECTOTHERM's purpose is to properly equip adventurous outdoor professionals and enthusiasts that need to traverse varying terrain in diverse climatic conditions without the need for multiple types of footwear. The design of this boot was inspired by and modeled after the unique use case of Maryland herpetologists. Herpetologists are those that study reptiles and amphibians. Finding herpetofauna is no easy task, often requiring one to traverse mountains, wade through rivers, cross miles of trails, trudge through muck, and push through off trail environments in a single outing. Maryland serves as a microcosm of the rest of the United States, excluding deserts. This means that it has an extremely diverse set of environments (and the animals to go along with it) that make it as challenging as it is interesting- a perfect testbed for tailoring the ultimate adventure footwear solution. With an instantly convertible and swappable waterproof liner and an exterior base boot that can tackle wading through rivers and scaling talus slopes, this boot can replace Hiking Boots, Wading Boots, Canyoneering Boots, Water Shoes, Mountain Boots, Ankle Gaiters, Knee-High Boots, Desert Boots, and more!

Innovation
This boot is designed to replace Hiking Boots, Wading Boots, Canyoneering Boots, Water Shoes, Mountain Boots, Ankle Gaiters, Knee-High Boots, Desert Boots, Walking Shoes, and more while providing a unique set of versatile features that elevate this design above any single existing option. The pop-up expandable waterproofing portion of the boot is replaceable, swappable, and can dry externally. The materials of the main boot are designed to withstand chlorine decontamination washes and harsh rock. Conversion between dry and wet use-cases can be accomplished in seconds, and the boot can be used with existing 3rd party accessories such as hip waders with the waterproofing portion removed. Additionally, with the waterproofing portion removed it becomes a highly breathable and quick-drying boot ready for warm water features and blazing deserts. The outsole and midsole are designed to optimize surface area and terrain adaptation with flexible sidewalls and stiff support where needed. TPU protective and supportive elements are carefully placed where needed, and removed where they are not. Speed lacing and an elastic gaiter complete the lockdown.

Product Detail
Lenzi PUTek Spider upper panels, knit Nylon Elastane cuff, Nylon woven "trampoline mesh" drainage panels, adhesive fabric finishes, translucent semi-rigid TPU, PU foam, Vibram Megagrip rubber, rubber randing, Nylon woven fabric, Nylon webbing, plastic cord lock, Nylon laces, metal lace hooks, reflective polypropylene piping, Nylon paracord lacing, Dyneema lace loops, PU coated ripstop expandable gaiter fabric, shock cord lacing, Nylon drainage mesh, paint, and digital printed polyester fabric.

Specification
Women's Size 7 looks-like prototype, proposed sizing ranging from Women's 5 to Men's 14, Black/National Geographic Yellow colors.



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