The potential of ADIDAS 4D, Adidas' next-generation sole technology.

If you like sneakers, you can't help but get excited just by looking at this visual. This eye-catching shoe with a fine grid midsole never seen before is the ALPHAEDGE 4D ( ALPHAEDGE FORDIE ) from adidas. It is a running shoe equipped with the all-new "ADIDAS 4D" midsole technology.

The "ADIDAS 4D" is clearly different from conventional midsole in appearance. What kind of technology is it and how is it made?

The official Adidas release reads as follows

"ADIDAS 4D" was developed using Digital Light Synthesis( Digital Light Synthesis) technology, based on analysis of athlete data accumulated by adidas over the past 17 years, to create an innovative midsole with a light and oxygen The innovative midsole has a three-dimensional structure created with light and oxygen. This Digital Light Synthesis enables a manufacturing process that is the next generation of 3D printing, digitally designing the midsole down to the micrometer."

The key point of this midsole is that it is made using state-of-the-art 3D printing technology. 3D printing or 3D printer is a device that creates three-dimensional objects based on three-dimensional data. Since 2010, 3D printing has been rapidly gaining popularity, mainly in the manufacturing industry for the production of prototypes such as samples and mockups.

The midsole of a conventional sneaker is generally made of foam material, i.e., material is molded in a mold. First, a mold is designed and manufactured, then the material is poured into the mold and solidified, and finally the midsole is completed. With 3D printing, however, the various processes can be skipped, and once the midsole specifications are designed on a computer, manufacturing can begin immediately. Moreover, "ADIDAS 4D" is a significant improvement over conventional 3D printing, and the speed is off the charts. It takes only a few dozen minutes to print a single midsole. The development of new equipment is expected to further shorten the time required to print a single midsole.

One of the benefits of using 3D printing technology is the high degree of freedom of design. The array of lattice-shaped parts can be freely changed depending on the program, such as which parts of the lattice are denser and which are looser. Athletes' specific requests, such as movement, cushioning, and stability required for each sport, can be incorporated into a single midsole and precisely designed. In the future, it may be possible to create a custom sole for each individual.

Also, unlike conventional foam materials, it is possible to manufacture complex and intricate designs that were previously considered impossible. This brings unlimited possibilities to shoe designers and engineers. 3D printing technology, which has sparked innovation in a variety of industries, is about to revolutionize sneaker midsoles as well.

Adidas positions the ADIDAS 4D as an important technology that will set a new standard in sports shoes, and plans to expand the technology not only to the ALPHAEDGE 4D, but also to other categories of lifestyle and street-oriented models.

The company expects to sell more than 100,000 pairs of "ADIDAS 4D" equipped shoes worldwide by the end of 2018, and is also working on developing equipment for mass production, aiming to produce several million pairs in the next two years. These figures also show how serious adidas is about this technology.

Finally, I would like to give my personal impression of the essential comfort of the shoes. When I actually put my foot through them, walking or running, I get the impression that they are harder tuned than shoes with a typical foam midsole, and that resilience prevails over cushioning. The midsole itself is made of a mixture of UV-curable resin and polyurethane, and the overall weight of the shoes is about 368g (27cm single pair), which is not that light. However, this moderate weight creates a sense of stability and properly prevents blurring of lateral movements, which is also attractive. The upper is made of prime knit with lightweight forge fiber. It looks light and fits the foot gently like a sock.

Regardless, the ALPHAEDGE 4D has a strong aura that makes you want to wear and try them on. And when you actually put your feet through them, you will feel the unique excitement of the most advanced high-tech sneakers. They excite the eye and arouse the spirit of the wearer. I personally believe that this uplifting feeling is the essential appeal of sneakers. If you like sneakers and like new things, there is no way not to try them.

The white version will be limited to 500 pairs, while the gray version will be available in a limited edition of 50 pairs at adidas Brandcore Store Shinjuku.