If you live in an area with a lot of winter weather, you probably own boot spikes. The problem is, once you get inside, they tend to destroy everything they touch. So you take them off outside, go in, go back out, put them on, it’s a long, drawn-out process that’s annoying as hell.
Meindl has decided to fix it by building retractable spikes right into the shoe.
Called the Tecvision system, the inside of the sole of Meindl’s upcoming boots contains a gearing system. Flip a switch on the heel of your boot, and the spikes pop out. You’ll have all the traction you need for crappy weather or slick patches of ice.
Once you’re safely indoors and away from ice sheets, just flip the switch again, and the spikes retract. You still have a boot sole with a lot of traction, but no carpet-destroying spikes.
There are a few trade-offs, like the fact you won’t be able to swap out the soles of your boots once they wear out. On the other hand, being able to feel like James Bond in a snowsuit is worth the money. These boots will be arriving next year.
Meindl [Official Site]