adidas’ 3D printed soccer cleats have arrived

Well, our hunch was correct: sportswear giant adidas has indeed designed a 3D printed soccer cleat (or football boot, depending on where you are in the world). The sports world first got a glimpse of the 3D printed footwear a few weeks ago, when training photos of Atletico Madrid attacker Ademola Lookman wearing what appeared to be 3D printed shoes were released. Now, adidas has officially confirmed this development.

The 3D printed cleats are part of adidas’ Project R.A.P., which stands for Radical Athlete Perception. First launched last month, Project R.A.P. comprises a platform for making custom 3D printed sports products, including 3D printed basketball shoes and now soccer cleats. As the sportswear company describes it: “The platform unlocks the future feel of movement through additive manufacturing, creating products bespoke to different sports and athletes.”

As we said, the first product launched via Project R.A.P. was a 3D printed basketball shoe, customized for fit, support, cushioning, and stiffness. The innovative shoe, likely made using Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) technology (used for adidas’ consumer footwear products), was seen on the court by Darryn Peterson of the Kansas Jayhawks just before the official unveil.

The new soccer boot, described by adidas at this stage as “a future-facing live innovation concept”, is not quite market ready, but the sportswear brand says more news on consumer availability is upcoming. For now, we’ll have to settle for the photos of the eye-catching wearable. With laces and a distinct 3D printed lattice, the soccer cleats maintain a classic cleat profile and opt for a bright colorway—a common preference for professional soccer players.

The soccer shoes were designed by adidas’ innovation team with input from professional athletes. In fact, Ademola Lookman and Paris Saint-Germain’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia were both instrumental in the product’s development. They will consequently be the first to receive the custom 3D printed shoes.

With adidas ramping up its consumer footwear 3D printing—as evidenced by the recent commercial availability of its CLIMACOOL LACED shoes—it’s exciting to see them bringing AM to professional sports. Keen to benefit from the latest innovations in sports equipment, professional athletes are also huge promoters of new products and could do wonders for bringing 3D printed sportswear into the mainstream. Project R.A.P. is planning to roll out 3D printed footwear for even more sports, with adidas hinting that 3D printed American football cleats are on the way.