Marty McFly envisioned that the world would have self-lacing footwear by the year 2015. And while the vision presented in Back to the Future somewhat came true, shoes that lace themselves have largely been gimmicky. What McFly, Dr. Emmett Brown, nor any other character in the future-thinking film could've expected is that some company would push the industry forward around the mid-2010s—not with hands-free lacing, but with 3D-printed shoes.
Yet, that's just what adidas did.
Since its founding, the Three Stripes has always stuck to a simple, but significant mission: provide athletes with the best possible equipment. Over the last 76 years, this pursuit has produced numerous innovations across different disciplines—including football, basketball, running, training, and recovery.
In April 2017, the brand introduced the world to adidas 4D, a technology breakthrough that's served as a platform for multiple 3D-printed footwear products. Developed in partnership with Carbon, adidas 4D used Digital Light Synthesis (DLS), oxygen, liquid resin, and 17 years of athlete insight to create lattice-structured cushioning that went beyond traditional EVA foam's responsiveness.
The German company's 3D-printing leap forward debuted with the adidas FutureCraft 4D, a silhouette with familiar design cues as the era's popular UltraBOOST running sneaker. Though produced in highly-limited quantities, the shoe showcased the Three Stripes' continued commitment to push boundaries in performance and style.
FutureCraft 4D opened up the doors for a string of other running styles featuring 3D-printed midsoles. adidas 4DFWD has been the most-visible and longstanding offering, but past designs include:
- ALPHAEDGE 4D, November 2018
- ZX 4000 4D, January 2019
- Parley x adidas 4D, May 2019
- Pharrell Williams x adidas 4D, December 2019
- 4D Run, January 2020
- Ultra4D, August 2020
- FUTURECRAFT.STRUNG, October 2020
- 4D Fusio, January 2021
Each release explored different builds to improve the wearer's experience. The 3D-printed cushioning also saw modifications throughout the years as adidas continued to leverage athlete insight to fine tune the bounce, energy return, and overall ride of the innovative tech.
In recent memory, the Three Stripes has focused on expanding its running lineup outside of the adidas 4D platform, finding unprecedented success with designs like the Evo SL and Supernova Prima. These runners see the use of more traditional foam cushioning solutions, but the brand is still exploring the performance benefits of 3D-printed shoes.
Before 2026 ends, adidas Basketball has promised to release a 3D-printed hoops shoe. Darryn Peterson of the Kansas Jayhawks unveiled the exciting sneaker in March, giving folks a glimpse of what's possible through adidas' Project R.A.P. (Radical Athlete Perception), a new platform the brand says is "for creating next-generation sports products through additive manufacturing."
Project R.A.P. has surfaced almost a decade after FutureCraft 4D was introduced to the public, showcasing adidas' determination to innovation. Other performance-first designs are sure to join the unnamed 3D-printed basketball sneaker, but the company's major breakthrough of the last year has been ClimaCool.
If you've owned any athletic gear from the Three Stripes over the years—including 2026 World Cup™ jerseys—you've likely seen "Climacool" messaging before. You might also be familiar with ClimaCool sneakers from the 2000s, which have recently made a comeback.
The ClimaCool platform began as an innovative fabric treatment and design rooted in enhanced ventilation. Training apparel and gear made for the pitch has long-used the adidas technology to ensure athletes across all sports are equipped to perform their best. The brand has now taken this heritage and concept, combined it with its 3D-printing expertise, and created a series of ClimaCool shoes that are the future, now.
Currently offered in Laced and Laceless options, adidas ClimaCool provides 360-degree airflow in a package that blends athleisure style with 3D-printing innovation. Both designs are marketed as recovery shoes perfect to give your feet a rest after tough training sessions or competition; they're also perfect for hot days and lounging around—with or without socks.
Olympian Noah Lyles, WNBA star Kahleah Copper, and NBA champion Jalen Williams have all co-signed adidas' 3D-printed ClimaCool shoe.
ClimaCool Laced and its slip-on counterpart further signal the future of footwear. Each pair is meticulously crafted over approximately 24 hours, ensuring performance, comfort, and style come together from the very first layer. The lattice structures that once only made up midsoles now makeup the entire silhouette. A lack of edges and seams helps deliver a sculpted fit that avoids rubbing and pressure points.
If you've never tried on adidas ClimaCool, now's the perfect time: multiple colorways are currently available via adidas.com. Laceless pairs are priced at $140, whereas Laced styles retail for $160.
Step into 2036 today.
