Adidas Running has unveiled Adidas 4DFwd, a shoe with 3D-printed midsole innovation.
For over four years, Adidas has developed 4D lattice midsole technology in partnership with Carbon. Combining athlete data and Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis technology to produce 3D-printed midsoles, Adidas 4D footwear is among the first in the world to use this technology, which offers the ability to fine tune midsoles to specific patterns of movement.
Identified from one of five million possible lattice structures and made of 39% bio-based material, the bowtie-shaped Fwd Cell has been specifically coded to compress forward upon vertical impact. When compared to previous generations of 4D midsole, Adidas 4DFwd generates three times as much forward motion under vertical loading in mechanical testing conditions. As a result, peak braking force experienced by the athlete during running is reduced on average by 15% as the midsole redirects these vertical impact forces into horizontal forward motion.
The shoe was tested through a range of bio-mechanical testing procedures at the University of Calgary, which analyzed specific areas such as forward motion, braking force and running economy. The concept was also tested extensively with adidas runners across the world via a local development team in Germany and a cohort of high-level running creators across the U.S. Furthermore, cognitive perception testing was carried out at Arizona State University.
“4D technology provides us with the opportunity to design in a way that conventional foam midsoles do not allow,” Sam Handy, vice president of design, Adidas Running, said. “We took inspiration from the first generation 4D lattice midsole and set ourselves the challenge to take it to the next level, coding millions of potential lattice structures to see if we could specifically design to counter negative mechanical forces experienced during running. Working closely with Carbon, our product teams and testers, we identified one perfect lattice midsole that is designed to compress forwards under loading and counter mechanical forces whilst delivering a unique gliding sensation for our runners.”
Complementing the Adidas 4DFwd midsole is a new Primeknit upper made in part from recycled polyester, providing runners with a super-lightweight upper that encases the foot in a seamless, sock-like fit. Historical mapping data has been used to code the Primeknit upper to perfectly align with the unique properties of the 4DFwd midsole, helping to give runners all the support and comfort they need while on their run.
“Our collaboration with Adidas has been one of deep exploration of what is possible,” Phil DeSimone, Carbon chief product and business development officer, said. “For this new generation of running shoes, 4DFwd, Adidas engineers designed a unique midsole lattice that takes full advantage of the Carbon Dls process for large scale production. Carbon’s materials team partnered with Adidas to develop a lighter and stiffer material that translates vertical impact into forward motion efficiently. We’ve broken free from the design limitations of traditional manufacturing and reimagined the entire product development lifecycle expanding what can be made and accelerating how smart ideas become real.”
The adidas 4dfwd will drop in three specific colorways, including a special Tokyo Collection drop, which will be the main podium shoe for athletes in Tokyo this summer.
