THE RAINBOW SOLE EVOLUTION: FROM OG SKITTLES TO NEON LOW 2.0
A Love Letter to Our Rainbow Sole 🌈
Look, we'll be the first to admit it: we have a thing for rainbow soles. It's not subtle. It's not minimalist. And honestly? We wouldn't have it any other way.
What started as a bold middle finger to boring beige baby shoes over a decade ago has become PaperKrane's signature – our calling card, our vibe, our "yeah, that's definitely a PK" moment from across the room. And over the years, that rainbow has evolved, morphed, and shown up in ways that keep us (and you!) coming back for more.
So grab a cuppa, get comfy, and let us take you on a little trip down rainbow memory lane. Because if there's one thing we love more than making rainbow soles, it's talking about them.
CHAPTER 1: The OG Skittle Chelsea – Where It All Began
Let's rewind to where the rainbow magic really took off in the adult range. The OG Skittle Chelsea was the one that started it all – that beautiful, COLOURful rainbow sole that stopped people in their tracks. Bold blocks of colour stacked under a sleek black suede Chelsea silhouette. It was playful. It was rebellious. It was chef's kiss.
These weren't just boots; they were a statement. "Yes, I care about my foot health. No, that doesn't mean I have to be boring about it."
And let's not forget those adorable mini versions – the toddler-sized Skittle soles that actually paved the way for the adult range. The littlest feet rocked the rainbow first, proving that good design works at any size.
The RAINBOW sole became our thing. Our signature. The foundation (literally) for everything that came next.
CHAPTER 2: The RAINBOW Experiments – Playing with Colour
Once we had that OG Skittle sole under our belts, we couldn't stop experimenting. The rainbow was out of the bottle (or box?), and we were having way too much fun to hold back.
Then came the Skits, sleek black leather uppers sitting confidently on that rainbow sole. It was our "dress it up, dress it down" moment – proof that rainbow soles could work for literally any occasion. Sophistication meets playfulness, and they got along famously.
But we weren't done yet. The PK Pops burst onto the scene with the confetti sole – because sometimes you want your rainbow with a side of party. Colourful specks scattered across the sole like happiness exploded underfoot. It was chaotic, it was fun, it was so PK.
All of these beauties were still rocking that original sole shape, but behind the scenes? We were already dreaming bigger, planning the next evolution. Little did anyone know, a whole new sole design was about to change everything.
CHAPTER 3: The Neon Skits Era – A New Sole, A New Vibe
Then came the game-changer: a completely redesigned sole shape. And what better way to launch it than with a fresh take on our rainbow obsession?
Enter the Neon RAINBOW colourway – a neon take on our OG colourway, but still unmistakably rainbow. Wild neon vibes that felt like summer sunsets and festival energy bottled up under your feet.
We dropped it on two absolute bangers. First, the Neon Skittle Chelsea Boot – same beloved black suede upper, bright lime green ankle elastic on our brand NEW neon rainbow sole. Then came the Neon Lows, a fresh interpretation: white leather sneaker with that NEW neon rainbow sole and playful pops of colour through bright laces and colourful heel details.
People. Went. Wild. The neon rainbow hit different. It was where rebellion meets fashion – brighter in tone and bolder in attitude. This was the colourway that said "I'm authentically me, and I'm not dimming my shine for anyone." Be brighter. Be bolder. Be louder. The Neon Skittle sole worked with everything in your wardrobe, from beach walks to brunch, school runs to dance floors, all while refusing to blend into the background.
CHAPTER 4: The Skittle Squad – RAINBOW Soles for Every Vibe
Here's the thing about a good idea: once you've got it, you want to see it EVERYWHERE. So we started putting our Skittle soles on all sorts of silhouettes, because why should the Chelseas have all the fun?
Here's the thing about a good idea: once you've got it, you want to see it EVERYWHERE. So we started putting our reimagined a NEW neon pastel rainbow sole on even more silhouettes, creating what we lovingly call the Skittle Squad.
The Holey Skit introduced a whole new style to the PK family – our tall sneaker boot. Black tie-dye printed cotton canvas meets that iconic pastel neon rainbow sole in a match made in barefoot heaven. Breathable, festival-ready energy for the free spirits. Then we brought back a throwback to the OG Skittle style with the Skittle Low and Skittle Mid – both rocking those classic black suede uppers, but now sitting on our reimagined neon pastel rainbow sole. The Low delivered elegant sophistication with a rainbow wink underneath, sleek enough for the office, fun enough for the weekend. The Mid added that extra ankle coverage for anyone wanting to ease into the rainbow life without going full colour overload on top.
The rainbow sole had officially become PK's signature. You'd see it across a park, down a street, in a café, and immediately know: that's a pair of PKs!
CHAPTER 5: Neon Low 2.0 – The One You've Been Waiting For
Which brings us to NOW. To the moment we've all been building toward.
Remember the OG Neon Skittle Lows that we dropped last year? The white leather kicks with fun colourful laces and heel details? Well, we've brought them back, but not just as a restock. Oh no. We've given them the NEON PASTEL remix they deserve.
Introducing the Neon Low 2.0 – and this time, we're using the current neon pastel rainbow sole colourway. Same dreamy pastel vibes, but refined, evolved, chef's kiss perfected.
Here's what makes the 2.0 special:
🤍 Premium white leather uppers – crisp, clean, ready for anything
🌈 Current pastel neon rainbow sole – the dreamiest iteration yet
💜 Purple heel pop – because details matter
💙 Blue laces – tie it all together (or swap 'em out, we're not the boss of you)
Plus, all the PK goodness you know and love:
- FLAT – Zero-drop for natural posture
- FOOT-SHAPED – Wide toe box for happy toes
- FLEXIBLE – Moves with you, not against you
- FEATHERLIGHT – Won't weigh you down
Available in sizes EU 24-46 (elastic laces for JNR sizes EU 24-36, tie-ups for adults EU 37-46).
Why We Can't Quit the Rainbow Sole (And Why We Never Will)
Here's the truth: we do make shoes in any colour, any style, any sole design. And we love it! But the rainbow? It's just us.
It represents everything PaperKrane stands for:
- Fun – Life's too short for boring shoes
- Freedom – Foot health doesn't have to be dull
- Bold – We're not here to blend in
- Inclusive – Rainbow is for everyone, every age, every style
From the sweet OG Skittle Chelsea boots to the dreamy pastel neon we're rocking now, every iteration has been about pushing boundaries while staying true to what makes feet happy. It's about proving that you can have serious barefoot benefits wrapped in seriously fun design.
And here's the thing: we're not even finished yet.
Next year sees TWO more rainbow sole designs drop, because honestly? Rainbows are forever. We're nowhere near done exploring what we can do with colour, creativity, and that iconic PK sole. The rainbow evolution continues, and we cannot WAIT to show you what's coming. 🌈✨
Ready to Join the Rainbow Revolution?
Whether you're a longtime PK fan who's owned every rainbow iteration (we see you, and we love you), or you're just discovering what all the rainbow fuss is about, the Neon Skittle 2.0 is your moment.
These aren't just shoes. They're a piece of PK history. They're a commitment to foot freedom with style. They're a conversation starter, a mood lifter, and a daily reminder that healthy choice can look so damn good.
So here's to the rainbow. To every iteration, every colourway, every single sole that's made someone stop and smile. Here's to not taking ourselves too seriously, to choosing joy, and to proving that foot health can be fun as hell.
Welcome to the next chapter of PK's rainbow story. We can't wait to see where you take it. 🌈
Related Stories: The Four F's Explained | PK's Vegan Revolution | PK's Origin Story
Shop Rainbow Soles: Holey Skit | Skittle Squad | All Rainbow Styles