Designer | Artist
What is it?
Raynos are a heated shoe, designed specifically for women with Raynaud's disease in their twenties working in urban environments that utilize outdoor commutes. Raynaud's disease is a spontaneous blood spasm that limits users by restricting blood flow. This results in numbness, pain, loss of feeling, and discoloration of the extremities. By utilizing heating technology and an alternative fastening method, the shoe provides and retains warmth to allow users increased mobility in cold weather environments.
How does it innovate?
Existing solutions for Raynaud's are very limited, with the closest thing to footwear being a heated sock. Socks on the market are obtrusive and not stylish in the slightest. For working women who may be in and out of the office, Raynos provides a cohesive fashion piece to enhance their wardrobe. Additionally, the alternative fastening method is proprietary and designed to specifically go around veins and blood vessels in the foot, which are located primarily on the top of the foot.
What is the impact?
Raynaud's affects 30% of women aged 14-30 in the United States alone, which works out to be about 10.8 million women. Along with this specific demographic, many people spanning a wide range of biological factors, from chronic illness to age. On top of Raynaud's prompting this exploration, increased heat undoubtedly increases circulation for any user. From ice fishers to daily commuters in cold climates, this shoe has the potential to drastically improve anyone's enjoyment of anything in cold weather.
