3D Printed Shoes: What’s Available on the Market Today?

Additive manufacturing is a technology that offers a multitude of advantages in footwear production, the most important being the possibility of customizing the final product. Due to this, the global 3D printed footwear market will reach a value of $1.97 billion by 2027, according to a report published by Research and Markets in 2023. This growth is largely due to innovations in the field of 3D printing and increasing demand for customized footwear. Thanks to 3D scanning and 3D printing systems, many companies are creating better-performing running shoes, futuristic high-fashion shoes, or comfortable and durable soles. It is worth noting that the entire shoe is not always 3D printed, but often only the upper or sole, for example, is created. In any case, 3D printing and footwear go hand in hand and the market has great prospects. Let’s now take a look at some of the best examples of 3D printed shoes, including those from major brands like Dior, Adidas and Decathlon.

The 3D Printed Golf Shoes From Adidas

Adidas has adopted 3D printing in the creation of its footwear. In particular, the brand has created a golf shoe with a 3D printed midsole. With this model, called the Adidas MC87 4D, Adidas seeks to combine new technology with vintage style. The shoe, available in a limited edition and a wide range of sizes, is unisex in design. The design of this high-performance midsole is based on years of athlete data and guarantees high performance thanks to the mesh structure. Manufactured using Carbon’s 3D DLS process, it is durable and flexible and can adapt to the athlete and his or her movements.

Photo Credits: Adidas

ATHOS, 3D Printed Climbing Shoes

Developed by a group of students in Barcelona, ATHOS climbing shoes are gaining in popularity. Also known as “climbing shoes”, this type of shoe must fit the athlete’s foot perfectly to improve grip and prevent slipping. Usually, to make sure they have a good fit, athletes wear climbing shoes that are smaller than theirs, which causes pain and deformity of the foot. This is why the team behind ATHOS wanted to create custom-made climbing shoes that meet the needs of each climber. To do this, they use HP’s MultiJet Fusion 3D printing technology and BASF’s TPU material. The process to get the ATHOS shoes is very simple: just scan your feet with 3 photos, customize the shoes to your liking, and once you get them home, you can start climbing!

Photo Credits: ATHOS

ECCO Prints Customized Shoe Insoles and Molds

ECCO is a Danish shoe manufacturer with many years’ experience in the sector. In 2018, the company launched its Quant-U service aimed at personalizing footwear through 3D printing. Using a 3D scanning process of the feet, it is possible to determine the orthopedic fit required for each individual. Using this device, ECCO designs 3D-printed midsoles tailored to the needs of its customers. The part is made from silicone, a material that offers stability and an adequate degree of cushioning. What’s more, the company points out that the insoles are easily interchangeable and can be put in the washing machine. ECCO also uses 3D printing with Stratasys’ Origin One series printers to create molds for the manufacture of new shoes. These 3D-printed molds are used first to produce new shoe samples, then to develop new models. Thanks to additive manufacturing, ECCO is able to reduce production steps and minimize waste.

Photo Credits: Stratasys

FitMyFoot Creates 3D Printed Shoes That Are Perfectly Fit to Your Feet

FitMyFoot, originally named Wiivv Custom Fit Sandals, was born from a Kickstarter that raised $566,401 back in 2020. As its name implies, the company uses an app as well as 3D printing to make sandals and insoles that are perfectly fit to your feet. All users need to do is place their foot on a piece of white paper and scan it. Within minutes, you get an in-depth analysis of your feet notably arch height and type, foot width and length. FitMyFoot then 3D prints either an insole or sandal depending on your needs, helping with serious conditions like plantar fasciitis, high arches and flat feet. The company uses Multi Jet Fusion and foam to create products that are even more comfortable. 

3D printed sandals from FitMyFoot (photo credits: FitMyFoot)

Hilos, the Sustainable 3D Printed Shoe

Portland-based startup Hilos was founded in 2019 and aims to transform the way shoes are made, combining technology and craftsmanship. Through additive manufacturing, the company aims to address environmental issues, while offering quality footwear. A distinctive aspect is its practice of on-demand production, avoiding overproduction by manufacturing only the shoes ordered by customers. Their approach favors fully recyclable shoes, encouraging customers to return them for reuse. What’s more, thanks to 3D printing, Hilos can rapidly create prototypes and launch new shoe lines in less than 90 days.

The Parametriks Print 001, a Shoe Entirely Printed from a Single Material

In 2022, designer Nathan Smith unveiled the Parametriks Print 001 sneaker, a 3D printed shoe designed using parametric design. This method, using design and material science to engineer parts, resulted in a shoe that stands out from the crowd for its comfort. To develop the Parametriks Print 001, Nathan Smith says he used Grasshopper, a plug-in included in Rhinoceros 3D modeling software. As for the manufacturing of the shoe, the designer explains that he relied on SLA machines and used TPU.

Photo Credits: Parametriks

Pleko, the Carbon Fiber Shoe for Running

The brainchild of Italian middle-distance runner Miro Buroni and the Diadora company, the Pleko is a shoe made up of many 3D printed components. The 3D printed parts include the insole, outsole, spikes and ribs. Designed from composite materials, carbon fiber to be precise, and with the help of the powder sintering process, these different elements have made it possible to manufacture a shoe that is flexible, resistant to wear and tear and above all customizable. Indeed, thanks to 3D scanning and software that simulates the movements during a race, the teams behind the shoe are able to offer a durable and comfortable solution to athletes.

Photo Credits: CRP Technology

A 3D Printed Shoe for Dance

The Purmundus Challenge 2021 competition was won by Act’ble, a start-up company that collaborated with top athletes to develop a new pointe shoe. Intended for classical ballet and contemporary dance, the shoe is called “New Pointe Shoe Sole”. Expected to last five times longer than traditional pointe shoes, the shoe was designed to significantly reduce the physical pain dancers experience during ballet. To make the shoe, the team 3D printed the sole, but did not specify what process they used or the materials that make up the shoe.

Photo Credits: Act’ble

The Heal Your Sole Shoe From Zellerfled

Founded in Brooklyn in 2020, Zellerfeld aims to revolutionize shoe production by making them entirely using 3D printing. Through their automated production process, they aim to promote an ethical approach without the need for traditional factories. Zellerfeld’s Heal Your Sole shoe stands out for its ability to be fully customized to the shape of the customer’s foot using a cell phone scan. It is also available in conventional sizes. Featuring a lattice structure, this 3D-printed shoe is seamless and adhesive-free, ensuring optimum comfort. It is breathable, machine-washable and odor-resistant. What’s more, once worn out, the shoe can be returned, fully recycled, and a new pair sent to the customer. The use of 3D printing for the Heal Your Sole also minimizes material waste, using only what is necessary for each print.

The Dior Carlo Oxford

At the Dior Men Fall-Winter 2023-2024 fashion show, the brand unveiled the Dior Carlo Oxford, shoes whose design integrates 3D printing. Featuring an ultra-lightweight 3D-printed black Cosmo rubber upper and sole, these shoes are meant to be extremely comfortable. 3D printing offers a unique aesthetic, making the shoes lightweight, pleasant to wear and recyclable, thus highlighting their sustainability. Once the tongue, under-sole and laces have been removed, 80% of the material can be reused. The manufacture of these shoes involves the use of a polymer powder developed by HP for its MJF 3D printers. The printing process takes just 12 hours, adding to the exclusivity of this limited edition collection.

Photo Credits: Dior

3D MTRX Sneakers From Puma and Porsche Design

Puma and Porsche Design have teamed up to create a unique sneaker, the 3D MTRX. As the name suggests, the sneaker features elements produced by 3D printing. Specifically, the midsole is made from elastic resins. Visually, the midsole has a honeycomb structure and is inspired by the Porsche Design logo: a succession of the brand’s famous cube. This particular shape would not have been possible with any other manufacturing process and could only be achieved using 3D printing, although the printing process used is not known. Puma and Porsche Design highlight the durability, comfort and lightness of the 3D MTRX shoe. The shoe’s upper is composed of carbon fiber and leather details.

Photo Credits: Porsche Design

A 3D printed Sports Shoe From Decathlon

In partnership with HP and the Lonati Group, Decathlon has developed a sports shoe using 3D printing. Using HP’s Jet Fusion 5200 3D printer, the shoe was fitted with a midsole and outsole designed from Ultrasint TPU01 material, a versatile thermoplastic polyurethane powder developed by BASF. This initiative highlights the advantages of 3D printing in terms of customization, design and comfort. In addition to these advantages, 3D printing was chosen for its positive environmental impact. Thanks to glue-free assembly, the shoe can be easily repaired in the event of damage. Finally, the use of a single material for the soles contributes to the shoe’s overall recyclability.

Photo Credits: HP

The 3D Printed Sandal ASICS ACTIBREEZE™ HYBRID

Last summer, ASICS unveiled its new ACTIBREEZE™ HYBRID SANDALS, available in coral and black for $80. The brand opted for 3D printing as part of this enhanced version, collaborating with Chinese company LuxCreo. These sandals offer particular benefits for the soles of the feet with their lattice structure, guaranteeing comfort and breathability. The design has also been meticulously rethought to offer additional benefits to the wearer. In line with the brand’s values, ASICS, which stands for “A healthy mind lives in a healthy body”, is committed to offering exceptional quality with these new sandals.

Photo Credits: LuxCreo

The 16kw Shoe From Koobz

Koobz, a small Californian company, specializes in manufacturing shoes using 3D printing. Since last year, their shoe model, the 16kW, has been available for purchase on their online platform. Designed in collaboration with designer Fabrizio De Lucia of Affinity Space Design Studio, this 3D-printed unisex sports shoe is washable. Made in Italy, the 16kW is printed in the USA. It stands out for its comfort, ensured by a flexible and supple material, polyurethane, a recyclable thermoplastic material. This elasticity means it can be worn for hours without discomfort, whether running, dancing, indoors or out, ensuring that toes have plenty of room and the material adapts to movement.

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