A shoe engineered to be made entirely from additive manufacturing will be polarizing in the first quarter of the 21st century. That’s certainly been my experience wearing Adidas’ new 3D-printed Climacool sneakers on the beach, trail, or in the city. I felt more eyes on my footwear than normal, with a determined flick upward to see who was brave enough, dumb enough, or fantastic enough to wear such a shoe.
I’ve been a fan of Adidas’ 3D-printed kicks ever since I purchased a pair of its 4D running shoes a few years ago. But those are traditional multi-material sneakers with 3D printing limited to the midsoles. Adidas is taking things to the next level with Climacool — a single-piece shoe that’s 100 percent 3D printed. They were teased late last year with a limited drop, but now anyone can buy them.
The rubbery lattice structure varies in density from the sole (where it’s high) to the upper (low) to provide the right balance of cushion and flex. Adidas calls the shoe lightweight, but at 416 grams, it’s heavier and more rigid than I expected from the photos and marketing pitch. It can be folded in half, toe to heel, but these are not the shoes I’d pack for recovery after a long hike or bike ride, for example.
They “mold seamlessly around the foot” as advertised for an extremely comfortable fit. If you’ve ever worn neoprene water shoes, you’ll know the feeling, although those lack Adidas’ surprisingly soft and responsive integrated insole. The gaps in the 3D-printed latticework allow for water and air to easily circulate around the foot. While they could be worn for water sports like stand-up paddleboarding, the thick, spongy sole unfortunately dampens any board feel.
Putting on the snug, slip-on shoe can be a struggle, snagging socks and sweaty feet alike. And going sockless can result in sand and debris getting trapped between the shoe and your skin. I had to turn around on a gritty trail after about 1km (half a mile) due to the first signs of blistering on the back of my bare heels.
Fortunately, the dirty shoes can be immersed in a sink of soapy water and easily scrubbed clean. A toothpick makes quick work of dislodging pebbles that inevitably embed themselves into the gaps, especially along the bottom.
Adidas’ 3D-printed shoes feel most at home worn casually around the city. It’s here, among other appreciative sneakerheads, that the Adidas Climacool sneaker lives up to its tagline: “Made like nothing, feels like nothing, looks like nothing.”
They’re only available in a single off-white colorway, but they’re comfortable, durable, and make a compelling entry onto the streetwear scene. More importantly, they bring us to the precipice of being able to upload a 3D foot scan for made-to-order shoes printed exactly to our specifications, and I’m here for it.
The $140 Climacool sneakers are available to buy via the Adidas Confirmed app, and through select Adidas stores.
Photos by Thomas Ricker / The Verge