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Smart Shoes: The Latest Wearable Phenomenon

Do you need activity trackers laced to your feet?

By Sarah Silbert Sarah Silbert Writer Bard College Sarah Lawrence College Sarah Lawrence is a consumer technology writer whose work has appeared in Fortune and MIT Technology Review. She's also a previous senior editor at Engadget. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 2, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Smart Watches & Wearables Eco Tech Electric Vehicles Working From Home Headphones & Ear Buds Smart Home Smart Watches & Wearables Travel Tech Connected Car Tech iPods & MP3 Players No, we're not talking about your favorite light-up kicks from middle school — smart shoes are footwear that promises to track your steps, help you in your training and all-around act as activity trackers on your feet. The trend really stepped it up a notch (pun intended) at CES 2016, when Under Armour released its UA Speedform Gemini 2 Record Equipped Footwear, which is expected to debut in late February for about $150. The company also announced a comprehensive system for tracking workouts, called HealthBox. Of course, Under Armour wasn't the only company to debut smart shoes at the show; we also saw new products from iFit, Zhor Tech, and Digitsole. Whether or not you're convinced a pair of smart shoes should be your latest activity tracker, keep reading for a look at what these products offer and what the current options are. tomemrich / Flickr / CC BY 2.0

The Basics

First of all, let's not forget that Nike already offers Nike+ shoes that track basic stats like distance and speed. The difference with the latest batch of smart shoes is that they promise to step up the technology with additional stat tracking, and some of them integrate with other fitness devices to provide a fuller picture of your activity levels. Under Armour's UA Speedform Gemini 2 Record Equipped Footwear are a solid example of smart shoes that are focused on bringing more data to your workout routine. Much like a regular wrist-worn activity tracker, they include a chip that tracks stats like distance, pace and stride length. Also like many fitness-tracking devices, they can automatically detect when the wearer is running or otherwise moving, and they enter a "sleep mode" when the wearer takes them off and the shoes aren't in use. Perhaps coolest of all, the shoes will store info like how many total miles you've run in them. As mentioned above, Under Armour is far from the only company trying its hand at this category of wearables, but it stands out for taking an approach that goes beyond shoes to include a wristband that measures resting heart rate, a scale that measures weight and fat and a chest strap that tracks calories burned and your active BPM. The idea is that your shoes are an extension of your fitness data system — which, while adding another expense, could paint a fuller, more active picture of your workout stats. As for price, it seems like most smart shoes fall within the $150-$300 range. There are exceptions, like the $450 Digitsole, but this pair doesn't even appear to be focused on tracking your workouts. It's "smart" include step tracking, foot warming and automatic tightening at the push of a button. In other words, they're more about gimmicks than actually tracking every metric of your workout.

Do You Need a Pair

While smart shoemakers may claim that their intelligent footwear offers more accurate tracking than devices you wear on your wrist, that's still not necessarily reason enough to make the switch to this type of footwear. For one, you'll want to make sure you're wearing the most comfortable running or exercise shoes possible — if smart shoes don't fit well, then what's the point of getting more stats? Also, consider your fitness goals. If you're a professional athlete, you probably already have access to the cutting edge of tracking and stat monitoring. If you're a marathon runner, there are no shortage of specialized watches and trackers to help you as well. And if you're a more casual enthusiast, your wallet will be better served by a more budget-friendly device. In any case, it's early days for the latest batch of smart shoes, so unless you're an early adopter, it might not be the best time to lace up. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire What Are Smart Clothes? The 5 Best Gear Fit2 Pro Watch Features The 9 Best Fitness Trackers, Tested by Lifewire Is an Apple Watch Worth It? Apple Watch: Everything You Need to Know Fitbit Versa Lite Review: Fitness Monitoring at a Great Price How to Hide IP Address on iPhone The 11 Best Workout and Exercise Apps of 2022 Apple Watch Not Tracking Steps? There's a Fix For That 10 Best Apple Watch Fitness Apps of 2022 Fitbit Inspire HR Review: A Fitness Tracker You Can Wear 24/7 Garmin Venu Review: A Smart 24/7 Fitness and Health-Tracking Companion The 10 Best Pedometer Apps for Android in 2022 How to Change Activity Goals on Apple Watch Garmin Vivosmart 4 Review: Body Battery, Stress Monitoring, and More Expert Tested: The 9 Best Smartwatches in 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies