Adidas’s groundbreaking new sneaker might change performance footwear forever

It’s only a matter of time (albeit a long time) before 3D printing becomes ubiquitous in the footwear industry. 

Adidas has been at the cutting edge of implementing the tech for over a decade now, delivering a huge milestone with the Futurecraft 3D (and subsequent 4D) in 2015. But in the years since, competition has gotten fierce, with the likes of New Balance, Under Armour and Reebok using 3D-printed components to enhance performance. 

However, in the last few years, the conversation around additive manufacturing has been focused on a company called Zellerfeld who creates single-piece shoes, especially with its high-profile Nike collabs. But printed footwear can, and perhaps should, be so much more than that.

Now, with its latest release, Adidas is back on the board again, perhaps bringing us one step closer to 3D-printed perfection.

A new chapter

Building on its past efforts, Adidas introduces its first-ever 3D-printed basketball shoe, the BB.01. But this release is about much more than the sport in which the sneaker is used. 

The approach is a bit different this time around. Rather than focusing solely on midsole construction, the brand employs 3D printing to build the lattice that wraps your foot and provides full support. According to Adidas, the silhouette is “built to sync with you.” Boiled down, the most important factor in any shoe is its fit, and the BB.01 is designed to eliminate friction entirely.

Other elements of the sneaker favors performance too. The lattice works in tandem with a textile sockliner, synthetic upper and rubber outsole. The total design allows you to “cut, cross and drive with confidence” on the court. 

Bespoke too soon

This is the first public release from the company’s Project R.A.P. (Radical Athlete Perception), a platform which sees performance products tested and built with elite athlete involvement. As such, the BB.01 will debut on the feet of rookie Mikel Brown Jr. during NBA Summer League this month.

While Adidas claims that Project R.A.P. can “create products that are bespoke to the athlete,” the details of this process are yet to be determined. The specific language implies a certain level of tailoring involved (i.e., scan to print) but we shall see what’s in store. 

In the future, it’s highly possible that we’ll see digital manufacturing create a performance structure customized at a much deeper level. This might even be a more practical alternative to Zellerfeld’s “every shoe can be unique” philosophy, using additive manufacturing where it matters most.

Availability and pricing

Only 169 examples of the BB.01 will be available upon launch, with 50 of them only available in-person at the Adidas Las Vegas flagship store on July 10.

Debuting in this Orange Dusk with Orbit Grey, the sneakers will later become available on the Adidas Confirmed app on July 14. It will cost $250.