The Northern Over Boot
A boot that’s worn over other footwear, allowing people to wear what’s comfortable for them in harsh weather conditions.
4th Year Capstone Project
Individual Research & Product
September 2022 - April 2023
8 Month Project
About The Project
Opportunity
The community in Mayo, Yukon, expressed interest in a product that will protect their runners, flats, slippers, mukluks, moccasins, and other footwear from various weather conditions, particularly their harsh winters. They are a strong community who enjoys creating for each other. Producing items within the community and for the community brings them closer together, helps combat high shipping costs, creates more economic opportunities, and represents their Northern pride.
Solution
The over boot design works with a variety of footwear, from Mukluks to runners; it lets users wear what they want while staying protected from outdoor conditions. This product is waterproof, slip-proof, adjustable, and warm. The manufacturing process is designed to be producible in remote communities and even allows for customization.
Co-Design and Culture
Hologram
Throughout the project, community members were continuously consulted using the hologram machines at Carleton University and in Mayo. Meetings conducted through this machine created a way to collaborate with visual aids, such as presenting prototypes before the opportunity to communicate in-person. These meetings provided valuable information and feedback, including insights into the town and potential design opportunities.
Hologram meeting with community members in Mayo.
Mayo, Yukon
Located in the center of the Yukon, Mayo experiences harsh weather, especially during winter. Despite its small numbers, this community is incredibly talented, kind, open-minded, and welcoming. Learning about the community’s way of life and having the opportunity to work alongside its members was an incredible honour and an experience that greatly influenced my understanding of the project
Main Street in Mayo, Yukon.
Crafting and Art
Discovering the importance of individuality, especially through art, informed this project's design and direction, primarily during the definitive design stage. Traditional crafting practiced here includes porcupine quilling, moose hair tufting, fish scaling, beading, and more.
Beading done by an Elder.
Footwear in the Community
To understand which aspects of footwear are most important to community members, both primary and secondary research were conducted. Primary research included conversations with community members and observations of the footwear they wore during our visit. Secondary research focused on existing footwear designed for winter conditions. Conversations with community members were particularly valuable, as this provided an opportunity to explore specific footwear features and needs in greater depth.
Mukluks made by an Elder.
Mukluk Creation and Learning
Creating mukluks alongside Elders and other community members deepened my understanding of traditional footwear and the design features that make it functional and meaningful. This experience also highlighted several opportunities for incorporating these insights into the project’s final design direction.
Mukluks and beading made by Isabel Dukes
Footwear in the World
Modern footwear has evolved to meet the diverse needs of many people, balancing style, comfort, and functionality. Today's footwear designs showcase a harmonious fusion of innovative materials, cutting-edge technology, and contemporary aesthetics. Research into modern footwear, the current market, and user needs revealed that many people already have access to comfortable, ergonomic footwear that provides support for daily activities. However, exploring existing winter boot solutions highlighted several challenges, particularly the discomfort associated with winter footwear and the inconvenience of repeatedly putting on and removing different footwear throughout the day.
Unisex winter boot, by Nat’s. Classic winter boot look.
Fresh Foam X 1080v12, by New Balance. An economic runner.
Hyke Aoh-010 Hi BA8364, by Adidas. An adjustable hiking shoe.
3D Printed Footwear, by Under Armour. A 3D printed concept.
This research confirmed that creating another conventional winter footwear product would offer limited value, as many similar solutions already exist in the market. Instead, the findings reinforced the opportunity to develop a system that complements existing footwear rather than competing with it. By expanding the concept of winter footwear, the design can address gaps in current solutions while improving overall user comfort, convenience, and experience during the winter months.
Prototyping
Prototyping was conducted throughout multiple stages of the project, allowing a wide range of ideas to be explored, tested, and evaluated as the design developed. Using low-fidelity prototypes encouraged rapid idea generation and provided a tangible way to communicate concepts during meetings with community members. These prototypes were especially valuable as meetings were held online through Zoom or using the Hologram. The prototypes made ideas easier to understand, discuss, and refine, resulting in more productive conversations and meaningful feedback.
Throughout the design process, these prototypes served as tangible examples in discussions with community members. This allowed for more meaningful conversations, generated valuable insights, and helped confirm key design requirements. Based on this feedback, the following set of requirements was confirmed.
Easy on-and-off methods
Accessibility for elders
Adjustable
Resistant to cold temperatures
Resistant to wet conditions
Made of available resources
Low-fidelity prototyping and idea generation using different materials and features, exploring options, styles, and ideas.
User Testing
User testing was conducted in both Ottawa, with a diverse group of participants, and Mayo, with local community members. Testing in Ottawa focused primarily on ergonomics and functionality, providing a strong foundation for further testing in the Yukon. Participants were also asked about potential use cases, helping to identify how the product could be applied beyond the Yukon context. These insights provided valuable information about the product’s broader applications and helped assess the potential size and reach of its target market.
Prototype tested with the Mayo community.
Community member interview.
While in the Yukon, a wide range of questions were asked and discussed with community members from diverse backgrounds. Participants ranged in age from 8 to 94, providing a broad range of perspectives and experiences. Interviews explored participants’ daily routines, how they select and use footwear across different seasons, and their thoughts on the current product design. These conversations provided valuable insights into the practical needs, preferences, and experiences of potential users.
Elders emphasized the cultural and personal importance of their mukluks, particularly the individuality and customization they offer. Across the broader community, many participants saw the product as a convenient solution for a variety of situations and were especially interested in its potential to improve the daily lives of older community members.
A recurring concern among older participants was the difficulty of wearing traditional winter boots comfortably. Many reported wearing slippers or loose-fitting footwear indoors because of swelling in their feet and ankles, which can make conventional outdoor winter boots uncomfortable or difficult to put on during the colder months. For these participants, the ability to wear their comfortable indoor footwear inside a warm, protective outer boot was particularly appealing. This feature was seen as a practical way to maintain comfort indoors while still providing the warmth and protection needed outdoors in winter.
Use Cycle
Design Refinement
Refining the design with all the knowledge gained meant that the product has to be manufacturable within the community, needs to provide an opportunity for personalization, has to use materials that are transportable, needs to be warm and insulated, and has to be accessible to all community members in terms of features. The final design takes the community’s needs and applies them. With this design, the over boot isn’t just useful for this community, but for other communities with cold winter weather conditions too.
Final Full Model
Section View Model
Production
3D Printing
Printing the 2-part mould for the sole.
Pouring Silicone
Mixing the RTV2 silicone together then pouring it into the mould.
Assembling
A combination of sewing, assembly, and adhesives.
Selling
Selling the over boot within and out of the community.
Final Design
The Northern Over Boot allows people to wear the footwear they prefer while staying protected in harsh winter conditions. This product can be manufactured in the Northern community of Mayo, Yukon, and is designed to make winter life easier and more accessible for a wide range of users. Its thoughtful features prioritize comfort, ease of use, and versatility, making the Northern Over Boot a practical solution for people with diverse footwear needs.
The look and feel of this product represents different aspects of the community and its values.
Clip and Cinch:
The adjustable cinch allows for a custom fit around their foot and the footwear worn underneath. The metal clip is designed to withstand extreme cold without risk of becoming brittle or breaking like plastic components can. It also allows for quick and easy removal, making the overboot convenient to put on and take off.
Insulation:
Layers of fabric, including Thinsulate and GORE-TEX, are combined to provide warmth and waterproof protection while maintaining flexibility for everyday use. A back zipper allows the overboot to be quickly and easily slipped on and off, making it more accessible and convenient for users.
Laces:
The lacing system is adjustable on both sides of the overboot and can be cinched at the top, creating a secure, comfortable fit. The adjustable laces help keep snow, wind, and cold air from entering through the top of the overboot, while ensuring the boot remains easy to put on and remove.
Sole:
Made from durable silicone, the sole is designed to provide reliable grip and traction in winter conditions. Its pattern draws inspiration from elements of the Mayo landscape and community, including feathers, the Northern Lights, and the Mayo River.