Zuliz’s fast-walking shoe product has recently been successfully included in the list of innovative consumer goods in the “Upgrading and Innovating Consumer Goods Guidelines (12th batch)” announced on the official website of the China Light Industry Council. This marks the fifth time Zuliz has achieved this honor, following the success of their travel shoes and cooling shoes in the 7th batch, safety non-slip slippers in the 8th batch, maternity shoes in the 10th batch, and wool shoes in the 11th batch. Zuliz has become one of the few brands in the elderly products field to be selected continuously for five times.
This guideline, known in the industry as the “benchmark for light industry innovation,” has already been validated by the market. Zuliz’s five-time inclusion in this professionally guided selection under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology reflects their technical prowess and market recognition.
“Innovation in elderly products is not just about technological breakthroughs but about a holistic adaptation to all aspects of life scenarios,” expressed the head of research and development at Zuliz in a recent interview, reflecting the essence of the fast-walking shoe’s inclusion. This product, which embodies a decade of technological accumulation, precisely addresses the pain points of elderly individuals in every design aspect.
The standout feature of the product lies in its unique curved sole, which has become its major highlight. Unlike traditional flat designs, this shoe features a dual-arch structure with the front and back lower than the arch part, complemented by a “Y-shaped” balance piece and a flexible insole, enabling a natural gait cycle of “heel landing – midfoot roll – toe-off” for effortless fast walking.
Addressing the common issues of elderly people’s sweaty and slippery feet, the product incorporates a combination of Oxisan antibacterial insoles, fishnet mesh uppers, and a full-sole anti-slip rubber bottom. This solution effectively inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, addressing the embarrassing issue of shoe odor in summer, while the fishnet mesh promotes ventilation and sweat absorption to keep the feet dry in high temperatures. The full-sole anti-slip rubber enhances traction, ensuring stability and reducing the risk of slipping.
The meticulous refinement of aging details truly reflects the brand’s warmth. The heel design with a shoe horn allows elderly individuals to put on and take off shoes effortlessly without bending over. The extra-wide toe box accommodates foot deformities that may occur with age, while the lace-free shoe buckle solves the challenge of tying shoelaces for those with vision impairment. Additionally, the anti-collision structure at the toe and the night vision reflective strip at the heel extend safety protection to high-frequency scenarios like nighttime walks and staircases, creating a comprehensive safety barrier for all times.
Zuliz’s consistent recognition mirrors the innovation and upgrade path of the elderly products industry in China. The issues of homogenization and low-end products are prevalent in the senior shoe market. Zuliz’s breakthrough lies in its ability to translate user research into technical standards. As the first drafting unit of the national standard for “Elderly Shoes,” Zuliz has established a professional database of elderly foot shapes, accurately capturing the core needs of safety, comfort, and convenience for the elderly. This user-centric research and development model has not only earned them recognition from the China Light Industry Council but also secured the first domestic SGS five-star comfort certification for elderly shoes, forming a triple quality assurance system of national standards, enterprise standards, and professional certifications.
Zuliz’s practices provide a replicable model for the silver economy. With five consecutive years as the top-selling brand since 2020 and a service loop of nearly 3000 offline experience stores, their success proves that elderly products can achieve dual breakthroughs in quality and market through technological innovation.
As China’s population aged 60 and above is projected to surpass 360 million by 2030, the elderly products market is entering a period of explosive growth. However, there remains a structural imbalance between product supply and demand. Founder Zhang Jingkang of Zuliz has a clear understanding of this: “Innovation in elderly products should not just focus on adding functions but should delve into the essence of life scenarios.” When more companies, like Zuliz, deeply understand user needs, the silver economy can truly transition from “scale growth” to “quality improvement,” ensuring every step of the elderly is stable and comfortable.
