Adidas Announces Limited Edition 3D Printed Running Shoes are Available for Sale

With the announcement of their Futurecraft 3D printed shoe experience prototype last year, athletic shoe company Adidas predicted that they would begin selling 3D printed shoes in the near future. Not long after, they released a conceptual 3D printed shoe that was made out of recycled ocean trash, specifically gillnets and ocean plastic content, with the help of environmental group Parley For the Oceans, and just last month had a limited release of the shoe, called the UltraBOOST Uncaged Parley. However, due to the need for mass production, 3D printing was removed from the shoe’s manufacturing process. But that won’t be the case with their newly launched 3D Runner.

The German sportswear company announced yesterday that it will be selling, for the first time, a 3D printed running shoe. This is pretty exciting news for them, as other big brand names in athletic shoes such as Nike, Reebok, and New Balance have already released commercially available athletic shoes (though sometimes only in limited edition) that utilize 3D printing and design.

The 3D Runner will only be available in limited edition form, and features a design that is similar to the one on the 3D printed shoe Adidas gifted to some of its medal-winning sponsor athletes during this summer’s Rio Olympics, though without the special gold, silver, and bronze shoelaces they added for the Olympians.

The shoe has a black Primeknit upper, similar to the look of a Yeezy or UltraBOOST shoe. The midsole of the shoe is the part made from 3D printed materials. But if you were hoping to score a pair for a Christmas gift, I wouldn’t get your hopes up – these shoes are going to be pretty difficult for you to get your hands on. You will only have a chance to buy a pair of these snazzy shoes if you live in New York City, London, or Tokyo.

The shoes will also set you back $333! As someone who was bummed that I couldn’t find a new pair of ballet flats for less than $30 at Kohl’s last week, that price just about gave me heart palpitations. But, I am also not a runner, so maybe you have to be prepared to shell out the big bucks to keep your feet protected while hitting the pavement? Regardless, while these shoes seem pretty expensive now, it’s probably nothing compared to what a pair will go for on the resell market: Engadget predicts that it will eventually sell for hundreds of dollars above its original MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price).

If you live in the Big Apple, you can try reserving a pair of 3D Runners today, through the Adidas Confirmed app (available on both iOS and Android). If you’re lucky enough to reserve a pair, you can pick them up at the Adidas brand’s new flagship store, located on Fifth Avenue. Interested buyers in London and Tokyo will have a chance to try their luck with the shoes tomorrow, December 15. Discuss in the Adidas forum at 3DPB.com.