The shoe that doubles as a sandal

A new kind of shoe that doubles as a sandal for summer has been developed by designers in Germany.

The Nat-2 is a canvas pump designed by K&T that resembles Converse's popular design when zipped up.

However, when the zip is pulled, an open-toed mule is revealed, allowing hot feet to get a bit of fresh air.

Different uppers are also available so that designs can be mixed and matched according to the preference of the wearer.

Wild Goose, a shop in Twickenham, is currently the only place where they are available to purchase and owner Peter Pearce said they are in short supply.

"We were the first to bring these shoes into this country in June, this year and they are well on the way to selling out. The concept of the shoes is absolutely fantastic - and perfect for the summer. It's early days for us but we're confident the Nat-2 shoes are going to be a big hit," he enthused.

A spokesperson for K&T said they allow the wearer to cover any eventuality and could be particularly suitable for frequent fliers.

In related shoe news, a number of sports retailers have launched new designs to coincide with the forthcoming Olympic Games.

Nike has released a BMX inspired shoe in honour of the fact that BMX is now an Olympic sport, while Adidas has relaunched a trainer it previously rolled out for the 1998 games in Seoul, Sheknows.com reports.