You’ve seen them. That lattice midsole looks like a complex web of plastic pasta or a geometric beehive stuck to the bottom of a sneaker. It's weird. It’s also probably the most significant shift in footwear manufacturing since the invention of the rubber sole. When we talk about 3D printed shoes Adidas basically owns the conversation, largely because they were the first to actually figure out how to mass-produce the things without them falling apart after a three-mile jog.
It started with a dream of total customization. Back in 2015, the industry was buzzing about "Futurecraft." The idea was simple: you walk into a store, run on a treadmill, and a machine spits out a shoe perfectly tuned to your specific foot strike and weight. We aren't quite there yet. Honestly, we’re still buying off-the-shelf sizes. But the tech under your feet—specifically the Carbon 4D technology—is a masterclass in chemistry and light.
The Carbon Connection: Light, Oxygen, and Liquid Resin
Most people think 3D printing is that slow, clunky process where a plastic nozzle moves back and forth, layering hot goop. That’s called FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling). If Adidas used that, your shoes would be stiff, heavy, and ugly. Instead, they partnered with a Silicon Valley company called Carbon.
Carbon uses something called Digital Light Synthesis (DLS). Imagine a vat of liquid resin. A blast of UV light hits the liquid, turning it solid in a specific shape, while oxygen prevents the resin from sticking to the bottom of the tank. It’s essentially growing a shoe out of a pool of liquid. This isn't just a gimmick. By using light, Adidas can create structures that are impossible to make with traditional injection molding.
The lattice isn't just for show. It’s functional. In a standard foam midsole, the material is the same density from heel to toe. With 3D printing, Adidas can make the heel bouncy and the forefoot stiff, all within the same continuous piece of material. They call this "tuning."
The 4D Evolution
If you look at the timeline, the 4D series has changed a lot. The original Futurecraft 4D was stiff. Like, really stiff. People complained. Adidas listened. They moved into the 4D Run 1.0, and eventually the 4DWD (Forward).
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The 4DFWD is where things get interesting. The lattice cells are shaped like bowties. When you step down, the vertical force is converted into forward motion. Most foam shoes just bounce you up and down. These shoes literally push you ahead. It’s a strange sensation the first time you feel it, almost like the ground is shifting under you in a helpful way.
Why hasn't 3D printing replaced foam?
Cost. That's the short answer.
Buying a pair of 3D printed shoes Adidas sells will usually set you back anywhere from $200 to $300. Compare that to a $130 pair of Pegasus or even Adidas' own Ultraboost. Foam is cheap. It’s light. We’ve been perfecting EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate) foam for decades.
There's also the weight issue.
3D printed midsoles are generally heavier than high-end foams like Lightstrike Pro or ZoomX. If you’re an elite marathoner, every gram matters. You aren't wearing 4D shoes to break a world record. You're wearing them because they look like the future and they offer a unique kind of stability that foam can't match.
The durability is a surprise, though.
Unlike foam, which "bottoms out" or loses its bounce after 300-500 miles, the elastomer used in Carbon 4D is incredibly resilient. It doesn't really compact over time. You’ll probably wear out the rubber outsole or the primeknit upper before the 3D printed lattice actually fails.
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Sustainability and the Ocean Waste Experiment
Adidas loves a good PR story, but the Parley for the Oceans collaboration was actually legit. They 3D printed midsoles using recycled ocean plastic. It was a proof of concept.
The goal for the future isn't just cool shapes. It's zero waste. In traditional shoe making, you cut shapes out of large sheets of material. There’s a lot of scrap. With 3D printing, you only use exactly what you need. The resin that isn't cured by the light stays in the vat for the next shoe. It’s a much cleaner way to build a sneaker, even if the energy costs of the printers themselves are still quite high.
Real World Performance: What it feels like on the road
Let’s be real. If you’re a heavy runner, 4D is a godsend.
Foam can feel mushy if you put a lot of weight on it. The lattice structure provides a mechanical support that feels "firm but fair." It absorbs the impact without making you feel like you're sinking into sand.
However, if you run on gravel, you're going to hate these.
Rocks get stuck in the lattice. It’s an inevitable design flaw of an open-cell structure. You’ll find yourself sitting on a park bench picking out pebbles with a stick. It's annoying.
The "Cool Factor" vs. Utility
Lifestyle wearers have embraced 3D printed shoes Adidas more than the hardcore track community. Why? Because they look insane. The way light passes through the midsole is a head-turner. In a world of repetitive "dad shoes" and basic white sneakers, the 4D stands out.
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But don't dismiss the engineering. Adidas works with the University of Calgary and various sports scientists to map out exactly where the pressure points are on a human foot. They use years of "Aramis" data—that’s the motion-tracking tech that sees how skin and bone move under stress. The lattice isn't random. It’s a data map turned into a physical object.
The Future: 3D Printing 2.0
We are moving toward a hybrid world. Adidas is starting to experiment with mixing 3D printing and traditional foam. Imagine a shoe with a 4D heel for stability and a Boost or Lightstrike forefoot for explosive speed.
The software is also getting better. Carbon’s "Design Engine" allows engineers to input the desired weight and flexibility, and the computer generates the lattice. It’s generative design. The human doesn't draw the lines; the human sets the parameters, and the AI (the real kind, not the chatty kind) grows the structure.
What to look for when buying
If you're looking to jump into the world of 3D printed shoes Adidas offers several distinct paths:
- The 4DFWD Series: Best for actual running. The forward-leaning lattice is the most advanced version of the tech.
- The Ultra 4D: This is a mashup. It takes the classic Ultraboost upper and slaps it on a 4D midsole. It’s a lifestyle king. Extremely comfortable for standing all day.
- The 4D Cush: This is the budget-friendly (relatively) entry point. It often uses 3D printing only in the heel.
Honestly, the Ultra 4D is the sweet spot for most people. You get the comfort of the knit upper with the futuristic look of the lattice. Just don't expect it to feel like walking on clouds. It feels like walking on a very high-tech, supportive trampoline.
Actionable Insights for the Sneaker Tech Enthusiast
If you're ready to invest in a pair, keep these practical points in mind:
- Size Up Slightly: 4D midsoles don't have as much "give" as foam, so if the upper is tight, the shoe won't break in as much as a standard sneaker.
- Cleaning is a Project: If you get mud inside the lattice, a garden hose or a high-pressure sink sprayer is your best friend. Don't let the mud dry in there.
- Check the Batch: Early 4D models (pre-2020) were significantly heavier and stiffer. If you're buying on the secondary market like StockX or GOAT, aim for models released in the last two years for the best experience.
- Surface Matters: Keep these on the pavement. Avoid trails, sand, or loose gravel unless you enjoy cleaning out your midsoles with a toothbrush.
The era of the "printed shoe" is just getting started. We might not have the "instant print" in-store experience yet, but the fact that you can walk into a mall and buy a liquid-light-grown shoe for a couple hundred bucks is, frankly, wild. It’s a piece of industrial engineering on your foot. Use it, beat it up, and see how the lattice holds up—it’ll probably outlast your gym membership.