When you think of big-name brands like Nike or adidas, you certainly don’t think of accessibility for individuals with disabilities. But by simply adding a few thoughtful custom details to sneakers from these popular companies, Zipped Brands has changed the shoe game for all those who have struggled to find stylish yet functional footwear.
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The driving force behind this admirable project is 27-year-old Aaron Warren, someone I’d like to think of as a true sneakerhead. Warren was born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which, for those who may not know, is a genetic condition that impairs the control of muscle movement and ultimately leads to muscles becoming weaker over time. So, if there’s anyone who understands the importance of comfortable and supportive footwear for individuals with disabilities, it’s Warren.
Even though he always wanted to wear the “cool” sneakers, it was a challenge given his disability and bent toes. And while there are certainly more adaptive footwear options available now than ever before, Warren wanted to be able to wear the shoes he genuinely loved and felt comfortable wearing, but more importantly, he understood there would be others who felt the same way.
This desire to feel stylish and confident despite his disability prompted him to look into custom shoe choices that could meet his specific needs. Ultimately, it led him to Oliver and Angel at Shoe Man with Angel’s Custom Creations, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Together, they now alter almost any shoe brand you can dream of by adding a handmade, custom zip that wraps around the entire shoe. This small-but certainly tricky-adjustment enables the shoe to open up entirely for better wearability and accessibility. And all of this without compromising the shoe’s looks, shape or comfortability.
This is how their modest but innovative business, Zipped Brands, came to be, allowing other would-be sneaker enthusiasts with similar footwear issues to wear the shoe brands they have only dreamt of owning. From Air Jordan sneakers to Nike Dunk Lows and even Dr Matens, Zipped Brands has made some of the most iconic shoe styles more accessible and wearable for those who may have struggled with traditional laces or slip-on designs. And they’re only getting started with their vision.
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