Quick Summary
• Decathlon’s performance running brand Kiprun has launched its first 3D printed shoe, the KIPNEXT 3D, joining a growing list of sportswear companies incorporating additive manufacturing into their footwear lines. The brand, created by Decathlon roughly two decades ago, has positioned itself around technical running gear and athlete partnerships, and is now extending that focus into…
Additional Context
Decathlon’s performance running brand Kiprun has launched its first 3D printed shoe, the KIPNEXT 3D, joining a growing list of sportswear companies incorporating additive manufacturing into their footwear lines. The brand, created by Decathlon roughly two decades ago, has positioned itself around technical running gear and athlete partnerships, and is now extending that focus into midsole construction.
The shoe combines a knitted upper with integrated lacing and a 3D printed midsole, taking a hybrid approach rather than a fully additive construction. The visual contrast between the two components is pronounced, with the lattice midsole’s open geometry standing out against the more conventional upper.
KIPNEXT 3D. Photo via Decathlon.
What the Midsole Is Made Of and How It Works
The mids