Summer Slide: Seamless Toe Post Flip Flop
A minimalist summer shoe merging Porsche's engineering DNA with everyday comfort.
The challenge: Merge comfort, luxury and engineered heritage in a flip-flop
I designed Slide to challenge the conventional flip-flop category by eliminating its most common pain point: The irritating toe post seam. Through material innovation and precise design development, I created the world's first seamless toe post flip-flop, reducing production complexity while enhancing comfort.
Research & Insights
The summer footwear market is dominated by slide sandals and flip-flops — from Adidas Adilette to Birkenstock Arizona. While these products excel in simplicity, traditional flip-flops share a recurring flaw: the toe post seam. This junction between strap and sole creates friction, causes irritation during extended wear, and adds unnecessary manufacturing steps.
I analyzed existing models and identified an opportunity: what if the toe post could be formed without a seam? By integrating the strap directly into the sole during production, I could improve comfort while streamlining the manufacturing process. My goal was to merge Porsche Design's philosophy of precision and reduction with the functional demands of everyday footwear.
Moodboard
Concept Development
I began by sketching multiple strap configurations and toe post variations, exploring how different geometries would affect both aesthetics and ergonomics. Early explorations included traditional Y-straps, asymmetric loops, and integrated arch supports.
The seamless toe post concept emerged as the strongest solution — it eliminated the primary irritation point while maintaining structural simplicity. I developed a strap pattern that mirrors the outsole's geometric language, creating visual continuity inspired by Porsche's engineering precision. Every line serves both form and function.
First sketches for Summer Slide
Technical Development & Prototyping
The seamless toe post is the product's core innovation. Unlike conventional flip-flops where the post is inserted or glued post-production, Summer Slide's post forms naturally during the injection process — resulting in a smoother surface and stronger structural integrity.
First renderings
First renderings
First renderings
First renderings
After several discussions and back-and-forths with development and the suppliers, we had to find another solution, due to the feasibility in manufacturing.
The concept should stay the same, but the manufacturing process would change to a more common one. With the introduction of a knitted lycra sock, that was pulled over the strap, we found a solution that serves both, design and production requirements.
First Rendering of new concept
Refined Rendering of new concept
First prototype abroad
Final Design
The final design embodies minimalist precision. Every surface is sculpted to support natural foot movement, while the integrated outsole pattern extends into the strap geometry — a subtle reference to Porsche's tradition of unified design language.
The strap's gentle curve and optimized thickness distribute pressure evenly, eliminating the hot spots common in traditional flip-flops. The footbed features a subtle anatomical contour that provides support without sacrificing the category's signature simplicity.
Final product
Reflection & Outcome
Slide demonstrates how constraint-driven design can lead to meaningful innovation. By focusing on a single pain point, the irritating toe post seam, I developed a solution that improves both user experience and manufacturing efficiency. It shows, that thinking big, sometimes leads to improvements, even in constraints.
Move All White in Aktion
Sohlenansicht der Sohle in Gum für den Hoizon Farbweg
Move All Black
Move Gum Moss
The Slide demonstrates how precision, simplicity, and comfort can merge into a product ready for the market. It reflects my approach to footwear design: questioning conventions, understanding materials deeply, and letting function guide form.