Project Title: EXO-HIKE (redesigning to encourage and support the longevity of women in the outdoors)
Designer Bio:
My name is Cat Owens, and I am originally from Alexandria, Virginia. Since growing up on the Chesapeake Bay, I learned the importance of environmental restoration and sustainability through the oyster restoration project throughout the early 2000s.
Through time, I have developed artistic and design skills in hopes of continuing a path of creation while still embracing stewardship to address the footprint we’ve left behind.
I love being outdoors, and I plan on continuing a path in design where I can continue to create the gear that enhances our outdoor experiences while contributing to a more sustainable relationship with nature.
Project Description:
This thesis initially focused on enhancing physical ability and longevity in outdoor sports. As research progressed, it shifted to address prevalent health issues hindering outdoor activity, particularly due to inadequate footwear design. It became clear that many of these health concerns disproportionately affect women, who often resort to using men’s footwear due to improper and uncomfortable designs.
The widespread use of shoes tailored to men’s foot anatomy and gait patterns reflects broader gender biases in outdoor gear design and foot health. In response, the project aimed to rectify these disparities by recognizing and redesigning current footwear standards to accommodate the anatomical differences between men and women.
This endeavor led to the development of an innovative product: the adventure sandal and hiking boot hybrid. This dual-purpose footwear combines the functionality of both sandals and hiking boots into a single, lightweight, and versatile solution by reducing the need for multiple footwear options and lightening pack weight during outdoor excursions.
The shoe is a physical concept of an accumulation of topics that need to be discussed to come together to widen the accessibility of the outdoors and the physical health of women.
