New Balance wants in on 3D-printed shoes. Much like how competitors Nike and Adidas have invested heavily into the technology, New Balance just announced that they are coming out with a new running shoe that uses a 3D-printed midsole, Fast Company reported. See it here.
The shoe is the result of a collaboration between the shoe company and 3D Systems. At the moment, the shoe has no official name yet but is referred to as New Balance's 3D Printed Performance Running Shoe.
Sean Murphy, New Balance's Senior Manager of Innovation and Engineering, shared these details about the technology, “To deliver this level of performance with a 3D printed component, we paired experts in running and biomechanics with leaders in plastics engineering, material development and generative design.”
The 3D-printed midsoles are made using a newly-developed elastomeric powder and DuraForm Flex TPU with a process known as selective laser sintering (SLS). Engadget noted that the said materials would allow the bottom cushion to provide the optimal balance of flexibility, durability, strength, and weight.
The design of the new shoes are taken from New Balance's Fresh Foam Zante model. While the midsole is made of 3D-printed materials, the upper portions of the shoe will be made of traditional cloth.
New Balance introduced the shoes on Thursday and plans on showing them off at CES on January 2016. They will go on sale in Boston next April. Select retail stores from around the world will get a taste of these new shoes afterwards, possibly in 2017.
According to Ledger Gazette, many shoemakers have already announced their development of this technology but New Balance is the first company to announce a shoe that will be made available to customers, with target release date and all. At the moment, there are no mentions of how much the shoes will cost.
