3D-printed shoes want to become suitable for everyday use

Siri Schubert

8/12/2025

Translation: machine translated

Long announced, finally here: 3D-printed shoes are making their way out of their niche. New models for sport and leisure were on show at the international sports trade fair ISPO.

The 3D-printed shoes from Fitasy look light and airy. And comfortable. To find out if this is really the case, I slip them on and take a few steps in the halls of the ISPO sports trade fair in Munich. «Nice and bouncy», I think. Of course, a first impression is no substitute for an extensive test, but my curiosity is piqued.

Lattice structure enables special sole properties

Fitasy is a US company that specialises in shoe production using 3D printing. «We wanted to control the flexibility and responsiveness directly through the structures of the sole», says Carl Justin Kamp, Fitasy's Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) in an interview at the trade fair stand.

Modern running shoes are increasingly using different types of foam in different parts of the sole. This is intended to give shoes more flexibility in the forefoot and greater cushioning in the heel.

These properties can be controlled directly by the lattice structure using 3D printing, explains CSO Justin. The printing process also produces much less waste. The process is therefore more environmentally friendly. As the shoes are only made from a single material, they are also easier to recycle.

In future, Fitasy wants to print the shoes not only in the USA, but also in various regional centres to eliminate long transport routes. Personalised shoes are also in the pipeline, which will be printed to fit the respective feet exactly based on a smartphone scan. People with feet of different sizes or those who struggle with standard sizes in particular should benefit from this.

3D printed sole for running shoes

The Japanese company Hybex wants to offer shoes for runners with soles from the printer in the future. The two-layer cushioning system is designed to prevent the foot from losing momentum by sinking into the material.

The shoes with patented soles, which Hybex presented at ISPO, are not yet available. The market launch is currently planned for February 2026.

Brands such as Adidas and Puma already have 3D-printed shoes on sale

The presentations by the newcomers at ISPO show that the range of shoes available from the printer is expanding. Until now, printed shoes were often seen as concept pieces in limited editions.

The German company Zellerfeld with a branch in San Francisco, California, has meanwhile established itself as an important player in 3D printing. Among other things, it employed Nike for the Air Max 1000.

Arkky from the USA also offers shoes from the printer.

A few months ago, Adidas launched the Climacool Laced shoe, which comes almost entirely from the printer but is fitted with laces for a more precise fit.

While the shoes presented at ISPO are moving towards everyday wear, Puma is taking a different approach. The Porsche Design 3D Matrix III trainers with 3D printed soles focus on elegance.

In contrast, the A$AP Rocky × Puma Mostro 3D, which were created from a collaboration with the rapper, seem much more whimsical.

While I'm pulling the 3D shoes from newcomer Fitasy off my feet at ISPO, I dare to predict that in future, shoes from the printer will look more like understated everyday sneakers than eye-catching fashion pieces from Puma. In any case, it remains exciting to see how the field will develop over the next few years.

Siri Schubert

Senior Editor

Siri.Schubert@digitecgalaxus.ch

Research diver, outdoor guide and SUP instructor – I love being in, on and around water. Lakes, rivers and the ocean are my playgrounds. For a change of perspective, I look at the world from above while trail running or flying drones.

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