Shoes may seem simple at face value, but are actually rather complex. To create a comfortable shoe that can handle a full day of wear without causing blisters, as well as deal with the stresses of running and jumping and so on, is quite difficult. Is it possible to create a shoe that can handle all that, using a 3D printer?
[RCLifeOn] discovered these sneakers by [Recreus] on Thingiverse, and decided to have a go printing them at home. While [Recreus] recommend printing the shoes in their Filaflex material, for this build, one shoe was printed in thermoplastic polyurethane, the other in Ninjaflex. As two filaments that are both commonly known to be pliable and flexible, the difference in the final parts is actually quite significant. The Ninjaflex shoe is significantly more flexible and cushions the foot better, while the rigidity of the TPU shoe is better for ankle support.
Our host then takes the shoes on a long run through the woods, battling dirt, mud, and other undesirables. Both shoes hold up against the abuse, although [RCLifeOn] notes that the Ninjaflex shoe is much more comfortable and forgiving for longer duration wear.
We’ve seen other 3D printed shoe hacks before, too – like these nifty shoelace locks.
Two words: Athlete’s foot.
Molded plastic shoes existed briefly as the “latest thing” in the 1960s – I had a pair inflicted on me – and lack of ventilation meant they were dandy incubators of dermatophytic fungus. You might be able to create enough vents (a la Crocs) or partial infill gridwork to get away with this, but otherwise they’ll be a cute project and a misery to actually use otherwise.
Agreed!
HaD had an article a few months ago about 3-D printing on fabric, perhaps a similar technique can be utilized to make breathable cloth uppers.
Wear silver impregnated socks, or maybe find some filament that has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. But to be honest I used some antimold paint in my bathroom and it smells terrible.
Yah, try silver nitrate socks, they’ll blow you away.
You’re still not dealing with constant moisture immersion, so it’s now Trench Foot.
I think there is future to 3d printed shoes but not completely printed. Breathable materials and fabrics in general are too useful in shoes. But 3D printing provides the ability to customize shape to your own foot, so maybe a hybrid of techniques, where you 3d print the insole or the entire base, and attach to a traditionally made rest of the shoe.
Hmm, could you 2D print plastic mesh that could effectively act as a fabric (perhaps using a retrofitted ink printer)?
Furoshki shoes wrap around from flat,this type of design could be ideal as a 3d printed shoe.
like these? the midsole is 3d printed, the upper is traditional fabric: https://sneakernews.com/2018/09/17/footpatrol-adidas-consortium-4d-futurecraft-release-info/
3d printing the insole makes sense but it is definitely more cost-effective to use other methods for making the rest of the shoe. Even though 3d printing the insole would really only be used in special cases as insole manufacturers have found a way to classify the majority of peoples feet in such a way that insoles can be standardized.
3d printing is great and all but it really isnt a technology that is ideal for mass manufacturing, It is geared more towards custom manufacturing where each part sold has to be unique. Even then, there are a lot of products where only one component needs to be custom and the rest of it can be mass manufactured, let’s use the right technologies for the right products rather than trying to apply one technology to all products.
Suddenly I am imagining Kryten:
“Sir, I took the liberty of 3D printning a new set of shoes for you with my groinal attachment.”
I am a bit confused as to what you are saying.
Therefore I will reteat into the closet and converse with my spare heads.
I’ll be back in a moment Sir.
3D printed ski boots. Now that would be a cure for my pain. As an owner of wide feet, I had to have the sides of my backcountry boots pushed out >1cm on both sides of the foot.
I have a dandy bone spur that sticks out on one foot. I had some plastic ski boots that were far more comfortable after I took a torch to them to make a dent to acomodate the bone spur.
These have been around for years… The thingiverse post is from 2014…
Yeah, I’ve seen all sorts of 3d printed shoes. It was one of the first things that people from the fashion industry latched on to with 3d printed tech. Nike, New Balance, Adidas and others have produced 3d printed designs. Of course they don’t do very well because solid plastic shoes are sweaty and terrible, and while additive manufacturing is a miracle for prototyping or small batches of custom designs, it is terribly slow and expensive at scale.
After seeing the shoes from Feetz tested by the 3D printing nerd, i was pretty well convinced that a decent pair of leather shoes is still the best way to dress up my feet…
costuming peeps however, can run with it.
i need a pair of Krystaal Starfox boots and this idea…
I think the 4d futurecraft sneakers by adidas might interest you as they are also pushing new technologies similar to these, but with a much sleeker design that might appeal to a broader audience.