Lechal Footwear

We love following the latest developments in wearable tech. But it seems like almost every new product is still in beta mode, and a few years of testing away from fulfilling its promise to streamline our everyday lives. This week, though, we’ve been reading about Lechal trainers: Bluetooth-enabled shoes that are already available to buy (well, pre-order. You can’t have everything).

Originally designed for the visually impaired, the trainers aim to replace the maps on your smartphone, by buzzing on the appropriate foot when you need to turn left or right. It’s one of those ‘why didn’t I think of that?’ ideas – we all depend on our smartphones to direct us around London, and it would be great to have a hands-free alternative.

The design comes from Ducere, and Indian start-up who describe their shoes as “the world’s first interactive haptic footwear.” It works by syncing up with Google Maps in your phone – the only difference is that, instead of following the little blue dot and constantly checking for when you should turn right or left, the shoes will indicate a turning by themselves. The name, Lechal, translates as “Take me along” in Hindi.

But that’s not all they do. One of the biggest trends we’ve seen in wearable tech has definitely been a focus on fitness tracking, and the Lechal trainers don’t miss a beat when it comes to that. They’ll calculate how many calories you’ve burned while walking in them. And as an added bonus, we think they’d be great at helping us find new running routes. Just input it into your phone, and get on with your workout without having to stop and check where you are.

Ducere have designed the shoes with a statement look in mind. Lechal footwear has a streamlined, futuristic look and comes in bold colours: it’s definitely for the brave only. If you’d prefer something more subtle, consider buying a pair of their in-soles instead. Designed to fit inside regular trainers, they use the same technology but you don’t have to give up your favourite pair of Nikes. Would you give them a go?

Available to pre-ordere here.