2026 PFB Busan Unveils Winners of the ‘Shoe Innovation Awards’ in Five Categories

[Financial News] Busan Techno Park (TP) said on the 30th that it had unveiled the five winners of the 2026 PFB Shoe Innovation Awards at the Busan International Shoe, Textile & Fashion Exhibition (PFB), being held at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) from the 29th through the 31st.

First, TubeRock’s Dial Arch 300 was selected for the Best of Innovation Award (Grand Prize). It is a functional walking shoe with side dials that independently adjust the arch support height for the left and right feet. It features a dynamic rolling structure that moves with the transfer of body weight.
Haksan’s Vitro Elite Pro won the Functional Innovation Award (First Prize). The badminton shoe improves shock absorption and stability with a dual-segment midsole structure using low- and high-hardness materials. It supports the heel and ankle with a heel cap and molded foam, while mesh and integrated lace loops enhance breathability and a snug fit.
National PPE Korea’s Carbon Light Core won the New Technology Innovation Award (First Prize). Using a fiber-composite material, it reduced the thickness of the puncture-resistant plate from about 4.0 mm to 1.7 mm, a 57.5% reduction. Designed to ensure puncture resistance and flexibility and to sit between the midsole and outsole, it helped improve the cushioning and comfort of safety shoes.
The Global Innovation Award (First Prize) went to 3D Wind Slide, made by Yanwu New Material Technology Co., Ltd. in Fujian Province, China. The product was made using high-elasticity resin and digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing. Its open lattice structure enhances ventilation, and the design can be extended with a detachable midsole with adjustable height and individually customized insoles.
Myosu by Chilling Ceremony Club won the Startup Innovation Award (First Prize). The product reinterprets traditional rubber shoes as modern leather footwear. Its distinctive feature is the use of men’s and women’s lasts designed specifically for Koreans, based on Size Korea anthropometric measurements, data and consultation.
The winning entries were selected after review by a committee of experts in biomechanics, physiology and technology, which assessed the innovative ideas, functionality and new technologies in each company’s products. Notably, they incorporate a range of innovations, from shoes with personalized designs to new materials and technologies.
Kang Young-ho, head of Busan TP’s Shoe and Fashion Promotion Group, said, “These winning entries demonstrate the footwear industry’s diverse potential for innovation in areas such as customized design, functionality, materials and manufacturing technology.” He added, “We will continue to support technology development and commercialization so that outstanding technologies and creative ideas lead to stronger product competitiveness and market entry.”
[email protected] Byeon Ok-hwan Reporter