THE FASHION TECH BRIEFING
Are your trainers ready for the 3D revolution?
Precision, Control, and Expression = Unlimited Possibilities
Newsletter #30 | Read time • 3 mins
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Puma Website: A$AP ROCKY x PUMA Mostro 3.D Slip-on Shoes Unisex
From Nike’s Air Max 1000 to Puma’s Mostro 3D and Zellerfeld’s single-material designs, 3D printing is rewriting the rulebook for footwear.
This month, Nike debuted the Air Max 1000, a collaboration with Zellerfeld that’s pushing the boundaries of trainer tech. Featuring a flexible, laceless design, the entire shoe is 3D printed—except for the air cushion…of course. And it’s not the only brand innovating in this space. Puma’s Mostro 3D, a product of their partnership with rapper A$AP Rocky, is another leap forward. 3D printing isn’t just about customisation and sustainability; it’s about crafting radical new designs using complex structures and materials. Let’s take a closer look at four groundbreaking approaches to 3D-printed footwear.
AIRMAX 1000: The Next Frontier of Nike Innovation | Behind the Design | Nike
The Perfect Fit
Nike’s Air Max 1000 brings a futuristic twist to one of its most iconic designs. Created in partnership with Zellerfeld, these 3D-printed shoes aren’t just built to last—they’re made to fit you perfectly. Using a scan of your feet, Nike crafts a bespoke shoe that’s 3D-modelled and made-to-order. No more ‘one-size-fits-all’—now, it’s all about you.
One Material, Close Loop
Zellerfeld, the forward-thinking company behind Nike’s collaboration, is turning footwear manufacturing on its head. Their mantra, “Printed, not made,” signals a new era in shoe design. Entirely 3D printed from thermoplastic polyurethane, Zellerfeld shoes are eco-friendly, custom-fit, and endlessly recyclable. This single-material approach isn’t just smart—it’s revolutionary. When the shoes reach the end of their lifecycle, they can be returned, broken down, and reimagined into new designs, ensuring a sustainable, closed-loop production system.
Precision Performance
Then there’s Carbon, whose Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) technology is taking 3D printing to the next level. Through their Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP) process, Carbon creates precision-engineered midsoles with lattice structures that maximise performance and comfort. Their cutting-edge tech is already at work in Adidas' Futurecraft shoes, making them fully customisable for elite athletes who demand peak performance. Precision, power, and personalization—this is the future of footwear.
3D printing is racing ahead. Expect more: limited-edition releases, hyper-customised designs, single-material structures, and even smart components that provide real-time performance feedback. With 3D printing at its core, new brands will emerge, shaking it up in ways traditional manufacturing never could.
I’m excited to see what comes next.
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