Remember the fully 3D-printed sneaker unveiled by adidas last September? Its futuristic design and slim aerodynamic silhouette were particularly striking. It was the start of a new range for the German sporting goods brand, which took the integration of additive manufacturing to the next level. This time around, the brand with the three stripes goes one step further by presenting CLIMACOOL LACED, a 3D-printed sports sneaker with laces. It’s not surprising that a sports shoe should have laces. But in 3D printing, it’s rarer. The first pairs should be available from July 15 on the adidas website and in selected boutiques.
The first thing to know about the CLIMACOOL LACED is that it has been designed without seams. This means there are no joints or possible breaking points, so resistance is improved. The sneaker was inspired by honeycomb. The lattice structure allows air to circulate, offering maximum comfort. As for printing, this is done in a single operation with no assembly required. The brand remains fairly discreet about the process and materials used, although it’s easy to imagine a resin or extrusion process.
The CLIMACOOL LACED Sneaker
In any case, the company explains, “Additive manufacturing has unlocked new possibilities for footwear creation. In lifestyle footwear, the process allows for the creation of highly breathable, integrated fit elements and soft yet stable underfoot conditioning. Future explorations in performance will allow Adidas to create bespoke products specific to athlete needs.”
The production process for the CLIMACOOL LACED shoes takes around 24 hours, from printing to compression, spinning and heat treatment. It is very similar to its predecessor but is designed to be more flexible and adjustable, according to adidas. The design is the same: off-white with black stripes and black laces. The latter gives the shoe a new twist. It looks more like a “classic” sneaker that you might find in any store. Because, let’s be honest, most 3D-printed sports shoes have a particular style that doesn’t appeal to all consumers. Adidas breaks this mold a little by adding laces. Simple, but someone had to think of it!
Athletes Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield wore the first sneakers
For now, we don’t know the price of these sneakers. We’ll know more from mid-July! In the meantime you can find more information HERE. Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn or Facebook pages! Plus, don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter to get the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox. You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.
*All Photo Credits: adidas