Description As the footwear industry expands, there is a growing demand for high-quality shoes that can withstand rainy and cold weather while remaining stylish and visually appealing. Apex-AR began as a SolidWorks surfacing and KeyShot rendering exercise, intended to explore new surfacing techniques and rendering workflows. I chose to model a shoe because it naturally provides an organic form that is a challenge to model in SolidWorks. I decided I wanted to add more purpose to this exercise and find a footwear market opportunity, which was to create an urban shoe that would implement waterproof materials with a more stable sole and athletic silhouette to provide a more comfortable and confident experience while walking for people living in rainy climates. I also took this chance to combine this with a VBL exercise and choose a brand: Arcteryx. I took inspiration from existing Arcteryx shoes and applied visual elements and different shoe archetypes to my design.
Innovation Apex-AR is a middle-ground shoe meant to bridge the gap between a casual urban shoe and a high-performance outdoor shoe. The majority of urban shoes lack textiles that can withstand rainy and cold environments. This shoe results in a versatile footwear that delivers reliable performance in demanding environments without compromising the comfort needed for all-day, everyday wear.
Product Detail Apex-AR utilizes a waterproof and durable material palette with an athletic silhouette to merge casual footwear with outdoor industry aesthetics. It features elements such as a TPU toe box to provide more protection to the user while walking in abrasive terrain. Its main body is comprised of waterproof and breathable mesh, allowing the user's feet to remain dry when walking through rainy or snowy environments while expelling excess heat produced from walking or running. The shoe's outsole is made from Vibram Megagrip, which provides users with more traction and gives the shoe more longevity to withstand wet climates. The AR in Apex symbolizes "All Round" in archery's product lineup, which balances durability, weight, and weather protection for year-round use.
Specification The shoe is unisex and can come in men's US size 6-12 and women's US size 4-12. The North Star model comes in black and orange. This shoe is meant to be in the lighter side with a weight estimated at around 9.87 oz.
