Moon Boots: shoes that come from Apollo

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Moon Boot
Moon Boots come in several colours and change in line with the fashion, but its Apollo-alluding design remains unchanged, and is still just as symbolic. Official Moon Boot website
Credit: Tecnica

We are currently celebrating the fortieth anniversary of Apollo 12, a mission which, four months after Apollo 11, put its name to the first return to our natural satellite (see this Enjoy Space feature). The American lunar programme made its mark and it is not, therefore, surprising that artists and designers were influenced by this great adventure. At a time when the first snows are falling on the ski resorts, let’s take a look at a model of snow boot that was directly inspired by Apollo: the Moon Boot.

Apollo 11+12 - boots
Walking on the Moon was the main feat of Apollo: the boots worn by the astronauts logically therefore inspired Giancarlo Zanatta, the Moon Boot creator. See the images of the Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 missions in our portfolios.
Credit: NASA

Moon Boot's creator Giancarlo Zanatta confirmed to us that Armstrong’s first steps were indeed behind these shoes which have survived the ups and downs of fashion for almost 40 years.

Enjoy Space:
Where did the idea of the Moon Boot come from?

Giancarlo Zanatta: When I watched Neil Armstrong place his foot on to the Moon in this shoe with its completely novel shape, I tried imagining it on the snow and I came up with lots of ideas. With this kind of boot, we could establish a new concept, without left and right feet and in multi-sizes. As soon as they put on their Moon Boots, I think that all holidaymakers today feel a little as if “they have their heads in the clouds”, but in the right sense of the term: it’s escapism!

Enjoy Space: We are now celebrating the lunar programme’s 40th anniversary, has your view of this event changed over the years?

Giancarlo Zanatta: Not really, because this break-through of a man stepping on to another planet is still what dreams are made of...


Visa Lune - Cité de l'espace
Moon boots are featured in the new “Win Your Visa for the Moon” attraction at the “Cité de l’Espace”: would you be able to recognise those that walked on the soil of our natural satellite?
Credit: Cité de l’Espace

The fortieth anniversary of Apollo has obviously led to the launching of a commemorative Moon Boot!
Credit: Tecnica

Published on 20 November 2009

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