Tech innovator ShiftWear has designed ‘hackable sneakers’ using e-ink which allows wearers to change the pattern and colour of the footwear instantly using a mobile phone app.

Wearers can literally customise their shoes on the go – uploading their own designs or selecting from a fast-growing library of images and patterns developed by designers.

The video below shows the concept in action:

How it works

The outer of the sneaker is finished with a high quality e-ink display capable of showing detailed artwork or shifting animations, explains trend monitoring website Springwise.com. Designs are downloadable from an app, where users can upload custom artwork and receive a profit when their creations are used by others.

The shoes use eco-friendly, rechargeable kinetic batteries that keep the screens powered from movement. Designed for durability, the soles contain kevlar and the shoes are waterproof.

Currently crowdfunding on Indiegogo, backers can receive a pair of ShiftWear sneakers with a pledge of US$150.

“With instantly updatable displays, ShiftWear’s sneakers enable wearers to sustainably stay on top of the latest trends in fast fashion,” observes Springwise.com.

“Could businesses offer discounts in return for advertising on the shoes?” Shiftwear is based in the US.