Matt Varga adidas stamped themselves in the future-facing world of 3D-printed footwear with the Climacool, continuing to forge ahead with variations of the new lifestyle staple. However, the German giant is far from restricted to just the streets. Ever-focused on the athlete, adidas has just unveiled a 3D-printed basketball shoe set to take the hardwood into the next century.
The news comes down alongside a fresh batch of upcoming draftees in the NFL; the likes of presumptive #1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza, Arvell Reese, and Carnell Tate will rock the stripes as they enter the pros. Yet nestled within that release is the announcement of the “R.A.P” innovation platform, or Radical Athlete Perception. Though brand execs promise this program will see the gridiron in short order, its first tangible result is the 3D-printed basketball shoe at hand, already shown off in the NCAA tournament by Darryn Peterson.
Of course, the design language that’s lit adi’s recent signature basketball shoes is visible on this invention. An inner/outer split and a familiar lace unit, reminiscent of James Harden’s or Anthony Edwards’ kicks, tie this into the already futuristic hallmarks the Three Stripes has built out. The exterior is where the new material innovation really takes hold, as a solid toe gives way to a curved lattice on the sides, seemingly a merger between breathability and containment, before the Three Stripes motif rises from the sunny traction on the heel. On a hardware level, the shoe is “designed to deliver a bespoke fit with tailored support, cushioning, and stiffness, informed directly by athlete movement and perception.”
This adidas 3D-printed basketball shoe has already been promised to hit the shelves in the coming months, with a corresponding American football design expected later this year.
