Since The Flash's very beginning on The CW, the titular speedster's costume has been more than just a disguise for hiding his identity. For seven seasons, it's evolved from a plain red jumpsuit to a perfect superhero suit with all the trimmings. Although, one significant feature from Barry Allen's iconic DC look has been absent, his boots.
No, the Flash hasn't been running around Central City in his barefoot. He's just receiving an upgrade in Season 8. New promo stills for the returning DC show reveal that Barry (Grant Gustin) will don some shiny new kicks. The golden boots are recognizable as part of the Flash's comic look, which finally completes the ensemble. Keep in mind that there's likely more to the footwear than just a new style for this speedster.
As mentioned, the suit's accouterments offer functionality over style. Cisco Ramon, the suit's creator, packed it from head to toe with tech that would help enhance Barry Allen's metahuman abilities. The lightning bolt chest piece, for example, in later seasons evolved from a plain symbol to a device that can restart Barry's heart in the scenario of it stopping or someone killing him. His cowl offers similar benefits.
The mask does more than conceal his face. It holds a communicator device responsible for keeping Barry in contact with the rest of Team Flash. A headset isn't a big deal while fighting bad guys, but when Central City's speedster needs additional support to tackle multiple enemies, an earpiece is pretty handy to have installed in the cowl.
Nevertheless, what's of interest is how The Flash's writers will work the gold boots into the storyline. Cisco isn't around anymore to keep updating the costume, so there's another big question surrounding where they originated. Of course, the likeliest explanation is Chester developed them. He's become Team Flash's new tech guy since Cisco left to work at ARGUS, and he probably has ideas on how to improve super suits. Chester is a bit of a nerd with gadgets, so fans shouldn't be surprised to learn he made them.
Do The Boots Make Barry Allen Faster?
As for their purpose goes, that's anyone's guess. The most plausible use for the boots would be to enhance Barry's speed. He's usually fast enough unless confronted with a villain like Godspeed, so maybe upping his game isn't the play here. Barry even outgunned Eobard Thawne in their last encounter, proving how much faster he's become and earning the title of the fastest man alive.
The thing is, Thawne, just like Barry Allen, can continue to grow and improve. He set off to parts unknown after helping the Flash take down Godspeed in the Season 7 Finale without any clues to his whereabouts. Fans, however, can piece together that Thawne went out in search of more speed. How he accomplishes such a feat is unknown, but the refined villain always finds a way to get the upper hand on Barry Allen. Therefore, it's safe to assume he'll reach an echelon greater than that of even Godspeed.
The Flash confronting such a foe will be a new challenge in itself. He has the Speed Force and the trio lending him their power, which together make him an uber-strong superhero in his universe. So, the notion of Thawne going beyond that is a scary prospect. Team Flash will need to think of unconventional solutions to their Reverse-Flash problem, and one may be enhancing Barry's costume with advanced boots.
To some, a pair of boots might seem inconsequential. For the Flash, though, anything he puts on his feet makes him a living weapon. Now, there's no telling what kind of ability Barry will gain by putting them on, but if these are game-changers, audiences might see the Flash whiz in and out of the timeline. He's sought out advice from other heroes in history before by time-traveling to different eras. Perhaps he'll do the same when confronted by Thawne. And a pair of boots that make entering the Speed Force easier would be ideal in that scenario. Barry's had to power through time-traveling in the past. Some new kicks, however, could be the difference-maker, especially when confronting a villain like the Reverse-Flash.
Whatever these new additions to the Flash's suit do, it'll be interesting to see them in action. The CW's writers have yet to disappoint, with the exception of last season's lightsaber battle, so the boots should make for an intriguing subplot when Season 8 debuts later this year.
The Flash returns to The CW on November 16, 2021.
