Issac Daniel one of the early pioneers of the GPS shoe has created his second generation of the shoe the Blue GPS shoe.  It’s perfect for anyone who’s paranoid about being kidnapped or “shanghai’ed.”  Or it’s perfect if you suspect a cheating spouse or significant other.  This news reports details some of the finer points about the shoe.

How it Works

A GPS receiver is built into the shoe.  The shoe has bluetooth so you can link up to 5 different bluetooth enabled cell phones.  These are the contacts that will be contacted if the shoe wearer enables the “emergency contact” button on the shoe.  When the wearer pushes the button a central monitoring station in Miami is alerted and will try to contact established emergency contacts. If these people can’t be contacted they will then contact the police.

The reverse case works as well.  For the times that a person can’t activate the emergency button the Miami monitoring center can track the location of the shoe wearer.  So say my fiance says she’s going antique shopping in New Bern, North Carolina for the weekend.  I want to go with her, but my case load is just too high and I can’t get away from the office.  She goes away and I stay working.  However, I try calling her repeatedly on the cell phone, but to no avail.  Days go by and I don’t hear from her.  I then contact the center and they give me the location of her last known whereabouts.  I got to the address to find …

Honey! How could you??

She’s with NOAH!  Her ex-boyfriend!  That cheating whore!  Thanks Issac Daniels.  You just saved me from a loveless marriage.

Anyway, even crazier is this shoe is supposed to work with Facebook.  So you can send status updates to your heart’s content letting people know exactly where you are.

This could be all yours for $150 (and most likely a $20 monthly service agreement…that seems to be how most of these GPS enabled services work).

It’s not as convenient as the GPS wedding bands, but I tell you…those are coming soon!

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Related posts:

1. FFPI #3: GPS Wedding Bands-Lojack for Spouses
2. FFPI #5: Nick Thune’s Backflip Shoes
3. Say No to H1N1 Flu with Anti-H1N1 Suit

This product idea is comedian/actor Nick Thune’s idea that he recently featured in this Good video.  It’s pretty awesome.

What’s the Problem?

Everyone wants to do back flips because they are so cool, but not everyone can do them because they take a certain degree of skill.  If you invent a shoe that can “do” the back flip for you then you have all the coolness of doing back flips without all the work, skill, and practice that goes into learning how to do a back flip.

How does it work?

The shoe houses a robotic arm and propulsion system.

Backflip Shoe in "Ready to Back Flip" State

When in its resting state the Backflip Shoe is just like any other shoe.

Backflip Shoe in Resting State

However, when you want to perform a back flip you take out the accompanying remote and push the button.

Activate the Backflip Shoes with a Push of the Red Button

After the button is pushed this releases the robotic arm which lifts the shoe and you up at an angle and at the same time the rocket propulsion fires creating an upward force which propels you into the back flip.

The End Result of the Backflip Shoes--A Perfect Back Flip

Simple physics.

Who is the Target Demographic?

Everybody, which includes fat people, old people, and handicap people.

Is it Dangerous?

There are Some Minor Dangers with the Backflip Shoe

Like all rocket propelling devices there are inherent dangers.  Mostly these dangers come from not paying attention to your surroundings like back flipping yourself into the ceiling, ceiling fan, chandelier, or into a moving vehicle.  With great power comes great responsibility.

The Ultimate Promise of Backflip Shoes

World Peace.

Nick put it best. “When everyone can do back flips they are all going to feel like they are part of a team…the back flip team.”  World peace accomplished thanks to the Backflip Shoes.

FFPI, or FuncFash Product Ideas, is a feature where we share either our idea or your idea for an innovative FuncFash idea.  Learn more about it or submit your idea by emailing us at submit@funcfash.com.

Related posts:

1. Kidnapped? Activate Your GPS Shoes!
2. FFPI #2: Blogjam’s Pepto-Bismol Hangover Ice Cream
3. Introducing FFPI: FuncFash Product Ideas

The science says that our body’s feet were built and developed to go around shoeless.  By covering them up especially with extra cushioning and support we rob our feet of sensing the ground which opens our body to more sprains, strains, and other foot injuries.

What are the Benefits of Barefoot Walking/Running?

1. Builds up and strengthen muscles in your feet (adding more support for your body)
2. Fixes and helps realign your natural posture
3. Allows you to feel the ground which increase sensory perception (ie Spidey Senses)
4. Flexes your feet as God and nature designed

While I’m all for going shoeless (I’ve sprained my ankle at least a dozen times and have shin splits – which I blame on unable to find good shoes or now shoes in general) the problem is that it just isn’t practical.  I don’t know about where you live but the streets are filled with gravel, glass, dog poop, and used hypodermic needles.  I love the functional nature of the Vibram FiveFingers barefoot running shoes, but unfortunately they look like plastic gorilla feet and I won’t be wearing them on dates anytime soon.  Luckily, I just learned about TerraPlana’s VivoBarefoot shoes.

VivoBarefoot shoes give you the health benefits of barefoot walking, protection from the junk in our streets, and are pretty stylin’.  Prices average over $100 for a pair, but compared to the other designer brands I’d rather have comfortable sprain-free feet than Calvin Klein’s name printed all over it (no offense Calvin).

Here are some of our favorite Terra Plana VivoBarefoot Shoes:

VivoBarefoot Root

“The Root is another classic in the Vivo Collection. A fun style loved for its convenience factor and adjustable fit. The Velcro closure adds to the flexibility of the shoe and offers great highlight colors for extra appeal.”  Learn More

VivoBarefoot Aqua

“The combination of VivoBarefoot technology and athletic inspired design style make for a perfect trainer or street wear classic.”  Learn More

VivoBarefoot Dharma

“The Dharma is an all year round classic. The Black and Brown are commonly worn for work whereas the fun colors are perfect everyday shoes. The combination of VivoBarefoot technology and simplistic design make for ultra comfort.”  Learn More

FuncFash-ness:  8/10

• Functional:  4/5 (makes your feet feel good AND gives you Spidey senses)
• Fashionable:  4/5 (good materials and a good look)

Where to Buy:

• Endless.com:  VivoBarefoot various styles ranges from $114 and up (last updated 8-8-09).  Currently offering free overnight shipping, free shipping on returns, and a limited $20 of $100 orders (enter code “bts2009″ at checkout).

If you like this kind of stuff subscribe to the RSS feed or get it delivered through email Or follow us on Twitter.

Related posts:

1. Vibram Five Fingers Barefoot Running Shoes are Awesome
2. New Vibram FiveFingers KSO Trek Uses Kangaroo
3. Best Reviews, Opinions, and Information on Vibram FiveFingers

Apparently, we aren’t the only one that find the Vibram FiveFingers an interesting and potentially foot pain and injury prevention device.  We here at FuncFash have scoured the four corners of the internet to find the most best and most useful reviews and resources for the Vibram FiveFingers barefoot running shoes.

Apparently there’s a hot summer sale at RockCreek, a seller of Vibram five fingers:

• Click HERE

In-Depth Reviews/Opinions

• Wired Magazine: To Run Better, Start by Ditching Your Nikes (summary: barefoot running is good, look into Vibram)
• Wired Product Reviews: Vibram FiveFingers KSO and Classic Running Shoes (7/10, surprisingly comfortable, but ugly)
• Barefootrunner.com: Review: Vibram FiveFingers Classic (5/10, look better than they feel)
• Timothy Ferris: Vibram Five Fingers Shoes: The Barefoot Alternative (10 years of lower back pain disappeared)
• justinowings.com: My Bare Feet. Vibram Five Fingers Review (if you like being barefoot you’ll like Vibram)
• Ryan Kano: Got Toes? The Vibram FiveFingers Review (surprisngly comfortable, but did develop blisters)
• GadgetReview: Vibram 5 Fingers Flow BareFoot Shoes (solid build and quality, pain to get on at first)
• nateluzod.com: Gear Review: Vibram Five Fingers (hip/IT-Band injury is now almost history)
• GearJunkie: Vibram FiveFingers Running Shoes (100 miles ran and a Vibram convert)

Video Reviews and Demonstrations

• Backpacker Magazine Review of Vibram FiveFingers KSO
• Legendary Strength Review (watch shoes in action)
• Wired Magazine Reivew
• StandUpPaddleAndSurf Review of Vibram FiveFingers KSO
• Pose Tech Review and Test (watch reviewer put the shoes on)
• Brad Rourke Review (not for everyone, but he loves them)

All Things Vibram FiveFingers

• Vibram FiveFingers Shoes: Site with reviews, information, and pictures of Vibram FiveFingers
• BirthdayShoes:  A site dedicated to Vibram Fivefingers; reviews, pictures, etc…
• Twitter Search Results:  Search results for “Vibram” (lots of happy customers)
• Yahoo Answer Search Reults:  Questions and answers regarding “Vibram”

Misc and Other Info

• Begin to Dig: Fitting Vibram FiveFingers – And Injinji Socks – review
• Keith-In-Training: An Avid User of the Vibram FiveFingers Line Answers Questions

Where to Buy:

• Vibram FiveFingers: Classic $75, Sprint $80, KSO $85, and FLOW $90 (price updated 7-22-09)
• RockCreek.com: Men’s– Classic $74.95, Sprint $79.95, KSO $84.95, and FLOW $89.95; Women’s– Classic $74.95, Sprint $79.95, and KSO $84.95 (price updated 7-22-09)
• REI: Men’s– Classic $75, Sprint $80, and KSO $85; Women’s– Classic $70, Sprint $80, and KSO $85 (price updated 7-22-09)

Features:

• Thin flexible sole and individual toe pockets help strengthen feet and improve balance and agility
• Razor-siped soles increase flexibility and slip resistance
• At the rear is a pull-tab that helps you position your foot to get the best fit
• All are machine washable (and recommended as you don’t wear socks with these shoes)
• Antimicrobial microfiber footbed (prevents germs from chilling in your shoes)
• Various upper materials that mostly comprise of neoprene (different models have slightly different materials)
• Weight varies from 4.25 oz – 6.6 oz per shoe (depending on size and whether male/female)

Special Deals:

For a great variety of running shoes of all popular brands. We found this store.  They have free shipping for a limited time.

If you like this kind of stuff subscribe to the RSS feed or get it delivered through email Or follow us on Twitter.

Related posts:

1. New Vibram FiveFingers KSO Trek Uses Kangaroo
2. Vibram Five Fingers Barefoot Running Shoes are Awesome
3. VivoBarefoot Shoes: Stylish and Good for Your Feet

[Via barefooted.com]

The barefooted.com’s ted was lucky enough to try on a pair and had this to say about them:

When I first put these shoes on, I knew that I had finally felt the most comfortable VFF yet. The kangaroo skin’s soft side is INSIDE the shoe…so your foot is encased in smoothness. Under 6 ounces. Rugged. Breathable. Thank you Gawd!

What’s new with the Kangaroo KSO Trek?  It’s a more rugged version of their popular KSO (Keep Stuff Out model) and according to Vibram they say it is great for: Light Trekking, Trail Running, Fitness Walking, & Travel.  Expect the Vibram FiveFingers KSO Trek to launch in the Fall of 2009 and retail for approximately $125.  Can’t wait?  You should check out their other FiveFinger Models.

**UPDATE**

Found some more information on the Trek and other new Vibram FiveFingers models coming out this fall. Definitely check out this post if you want to learn more about the new shoes coming up.

Or Stop procrastinating and hop on the barefoot revolution NOW!!  Check out RockCreek.com below where they have Vibram as well as other barefoot running tools:

RockCreek.com: Men’s– Classic $74.95, Sprint $79.95, KSO $84.95, and FLOW $89.95; Women’s– Classic $74.95, Sprint $79.95, and KSO $84.95 (price updated 7-22-09)

Update (Hot summer sale at RockCreek):

• Click HERE

On a side note.. we spotted a great deal on athletic shoes at this store.  Free shipping as well until september.  I like how it’s easy to exchange shoes even though it’s online.  That was one of my main beef with buying shoes online before.

If you like this kind of stuff subscribe to the RSS feed or get it delivered through email Or follow us on Twitter.

Related posts:

1. Best Reviews, Opinions, and Information on Vibram FiveFingers
2. Vibram Five Fingers Barefoot Running Shoes are Awesome
3. VivoBarefoot Shoes: Stylish and Good for Your Feet

For the past 40 or so years shoe manufacturers have been putting an increasing amount of “technology” and “innovation” into shoes.  Shoes that promise to make you play basketball like Michael Jordan or shoes that cushion your foot on a pocket of air as you run.  All great stuff, right?  Here’s the thing that I didn’t know until recently… for all the technological improvements that have gone into modern day shoes there’s little evidence that these shoes do anything to decrease the number of foot related injuries.

“People have been running barefoot for millions of years and it has only been since 1972 that people have been wearing shoes with thick, synthetic heels,” — Daniel Lieberman,  professor of human evolutionary biology at Harvard University.

When you look at it from an evolutionary standpoint (that is if you agree with evoloution) it kind of makes sense why we get hurt while wearing our fancy Nike Super Duper Force XL 2000’s.  We just weren’t built to walk and run in shoes the way they currently are designed. Personally I’ve sprained my ankle numerous times, had my fair of shin splints, and in general have had lots of aches in pains in my lower joints.  I’ve tried new shoes, orthotics, tai-chi, you name it…and still eventually have some kind of problems.  The only culprit (besides blaming my poor running form) I can point to is my damn shoes.  My alternative is to throw away my shoes and go barefoot, which surprisingly as I learned makes sense.

3 Reasons Why Barefoot Running Makes Sense

1)  Barefoot feels good.  How often after a long day of hiking or some other activity where you wear shoes do you come and can’t wait to keep your shoes on?  Never, right?  The first thing you want to do is take your shoes off and chuck them as far as way as possible because being barefoot relieves pressure and just feels better.

2)  Strengthen muscles. There are over a 100 muscles and tendons in the foot.  Each of those muscles and tendons contributes to your overall balance and body awareness.  However, when you wear a shoe you prevent those muscles from developing which makes you more at risk for injury (which is why I’ve probably sprained my ankle numerous times).  Take the shoes off and now you can start pumping up those feet.

3) We were born barefoot. Modern humans have been around for over 150,000 years.  Nikes have been around for 30 years.  Do you need Nike’s to become a world class athlete?  No, Ethiopian Abebe Bikila ran the 26 mile marathon in the 1960 Rome Olympics in 2:15:17 winning the gold and setting a world record…all while barefoot.

Meet the Vibram FiveFingers Barefoot Running Shoes Family…

Vibram FiveFingers is perfect for people who want the benefits of barefoot walking or running without the consequences of going barefoot in modern urban society.  There are 4 different product lines that Vibram offer which accommodate a variety of activities and users.

FiveFingers Classic – no frills simple version of the FiveFingers design.  Dries quickly and perfect for Running, Fitness Training, Martial Arts, Yoga, Pilates, Travel.

FiveFingers Sprint – extra loop and hook enclosures add additional fit and snugness making it great for a variety of activities like Light Trekking, Climbing, Canyoneering, Running, Fitness Training, Martial Arts, Yoga, Pilates, Sailing, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Surfing, Flats Fishing, Travel.

FiveFingers FLOW – extra covering on top of shoe provides additional insulation for cold weather envrionments which makes it great for Cold Weather Running, Light Trekking, Climbing, Canyoneering, Sailing, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Surfing, Flats Fishing.

FiveFingers KSO – the KSO stands for “keep stuff out” and that’s what it was intended to do.  The extra mesh on the top of the shoe keep out dirt, gravel, and other nasties and make it good for Light Trekking, Climbing, Canyoneering, Running, Fitness Training, Martial Arts, Yoga, Pilates, Sailing, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Surfing, Flats Fishing, Travel.

FuncFash-ness:  7/10

• Functional: 4.5/5 (prevents used heroin syringes from impaling your foot, but more importantly prevents foot injuries)
• Fashionable:  2.5/5 (you definitely will get stares from wearing it, but probably not the kinds you would like, but hey no more foot pain!)

Learn More:

• Barefoot Running Shoes: Site with reviews, information, and pictures of Vibram FiveFingers

Where to Buy:

• Vibram FiveFingers: Classic $75, Sprint $80, KSO $85, and FLOW $90 (price updated 7-22-09)
• RockCreek.com: Men’s– Classic $74.95, Sprint $79.95, KSO $84.95, and FLOW $89.95; Women’s– Classic $74.95, Sprint $79.95, and KSO $84.95 (price updated 7-22-09)
• REI: Men’s– Classic $75, Sprint $80, and KSO $85; Women’s– Classic $70, Sprint $80, and KSO $85 (price updated 7-22-09)

Features:

• Thin flexible sole and individual toe pockets help strengthen feet and improve balance and agility
• Razor-siped soles increase flexibility and slip resistance
• At the rear is a pull-tab that helps you position your foot to get the best fit
• All are machine washable (and recommended as you don’t wear socks with these shoes)
• Antimicrobial microfiber footbed (prevents germs from chilling in your shoes)
• Various upper materials that mostly comprise of neoprene (different models have slightly different materials)
• Weight varies from 4.25 oz – 6.6 oz per shoe (depending on size and whether male/female)

Related posts:

1. New Vibram FiveFingers KSO Trek Uses Kangaroo
2. Best Reviews, Opinions, and Information on Vibram FiveFingers
3. VivoBarefoot Shoes: Stylish and Good for Your Feet