The World’s First Mass Market 3D Knitted Shoe Heads to Kickstarter

January 18, 2016 by Scott J Grunewald 3D Design 3D Printing 3D Printing Materials Business

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Footwear company J&S Enterprises is introducing a new line of affordable and customizable 3D knitted shoes. The JS Shoes Q Series of footwear are lightweight, environmentally friendly, form fitting and thanks to new 3D knitting technology completely seamless and manufactured as a single piece. The shoe designs will come in both men’s and women’s styles and sizes and range in price from $80 to $100 for a pair. The Los Angeles-based company is introducing their new line of shoes by launching a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter where they’re seeking $50,000 to launch their new venture.

Mix and match colors.

Because the lightweight shoes are meant to be completely form-fitting, JS Shoe is also offering customers the option of purchasing each show individually in case one foot is a slightly larger size than the other. Additionally, buyers can choose to purchase individual shoes in different colors in order to mix and match. Because each show can be purchased as a single, wearers can choose to mix it up one day, and keep them matched the next. JS Shoes will be available in a variety of styles and colors, and every pair will have a solid insole for support that is comfortable and functional whether they are being worn inside or out.

“We wanted our customers to enjoy the benefits of a customized shoe without the high prices that the large shoe manufacturers have dictated for the shoe industry. Since most people have a half size variation between their feet, we felt that it was important to package our shoes individually so that we can offer different sizes for each foot and allow our customers the ability to choose different colors which they can mix and match and let their personalities shine,” explained the founder and creative director of JS Shoes, Xiaoxi Shi.

JS Shoes are first designed in 3D using CAD software and is then manufactured using new 3D knitting technology that virtually eliminates waste, reduces manpower, saves energy and uses no toxic chemicals or materials that can result in poor health conditions for workers. Because the shoes are knit in 3D the machines use the exact amount of material required to construct them, which means that material waste is virtually eliminated. The assembly process is also greatly reduced, with the only construction required being the addition of the minimal sole and insert.

JS Shoes will be available in a light gray material with four color details, including azure, magenta, teal and yellow. There will also be a rainbow pair of shoes sold exclusively for the Kickstarter campaign. The campaign is offering an earlybird price of $69 for the first two hundred pairs sold, at which point the price goes up to $79 a pair. The retail price is currently expected to be $89, so that’s still a respectable discount.

Here is the Kickstarter campaign video:

In order for J&S Enterprises to manufacture the 3D knitted shoes at a volume high enough to make them profitable they are seeking $50,000 for their minimum order. Once the campaign is funded, they expect to start shipping to backers sometime in March of 2016. You can check out the JS Shoes Kickstarter campaign here.