Decathlon brand launches KIPNEXT 3D sneaker made using MJF
Nearly two decades ago, sporting goods retailer Decathlon created the Kiprun brand to drive innovation in running gear. Since then, the performance running brand has pushed the envelope for shoes, apparel, and accessories by partnering with top-level athletes and leveraging cutting edge technologies like advanced textiles and carbon plates. It is no surprise then to hear that the future-looking brand has developed and launched its first 3D printed shoe, the KIPNEXT 3D.
With a bold red color and an almost coral-like lattice midsole, the 3D printed running shoe is certainly an eye-catcher. Unlike other 3D printed sneakers to hit the market recently, such as Nike’s Air Max 1000.2 and Adidas’ CLIMACOOL LACED, the KIPNEXT 3D is not entirely 3D printed. Rather it features a knit (but still quite high-tech) upper with laces integrated onto a 3D printed midsole.
The KIPNEXT 3D midsole is made using HP’s Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technology and a proprietary TPA material that has been engineered for beneficial rebound properties. The hollow lattice structure of the midsole has also been optimized for comfort and performance. In slightly more technical terms this means that the midsole has a good mass-to-stiffness ratio (i.e. lightweight) and integrates a variable-density lattice that provides cushioning for the wearer’s “unique stride pattern”. According to Kiprun, the shoe offers 75% energy return, whereas most conventional running shoes with EVA foam midsoles have an energy return in the range of 50-65%.
Now, it’s not only the functional and aesthetic elements of the KIPNEXT 3D that are notable: the development process behind the footwear is also worth talking about. According to Kiprun, the 3D printed shoe was developed at its Innovation Powerhouse in Shenzhen, China in under six months. The development was also supported by Something Added, a Barcelona-based company that specializes in 3D printing for footwear using HP’s tech.
The KIPNEXT 3D running shoe is being rolled out in a very limited manner. According to Kiprun, the 3D printed footwear is now exclusively available in select Decathlon stores in China. On its website, the shoe retails for HK$1,949, or about US$250. “This is our first foray into 3D printed midsoles utilizing Multi Jet Fusion technology, which we believe has the power to make running more enjoyable and inspire runners to keep running,” the brand stated. “It is just the first step of the journey, and the future of running is officially printing.”
