Tag Archives: sneaker

Nike Unveils 3D printed Air Max 1000 that reimagines Air Max 1 in red laceless silhouette

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Nike seems to be on a roll, innovating beyond the obvious territories. After its collaborative Monopoly Game Set with Hasbro, the Swoosh brand is now teaming up with German shoe company, Zellerfeld, to give its original Air Max a 3D printed makeover in a vibrant red laceless design.

Nike Air Max 1 originally designed by Tinker Hatfield has always had a special place in our hearts for the incredible future-forward design. Easily the greatest sneaker, the Air Max is now a revolution, which has come a long way since its inception with continuous air technology innovations with every new release. This time it’s not the sole or regular manufacturing, in fact, it’s the entire thought of the shoe that will rock the show at ComplexCon 2024.

Designer: Nike

Zellerfeld founded in 2015, is a shoe company that specializes in 3D-printing thoughtful designs. Nike collaborated with the German outfit to delve into Air Max legacy and bring out a 3D-printed re-imagination that would launch at the ComlexCon on November 16 and 17, 2024. The groundbreaking rendition of the iconic Air Max 1, the Nike Air Max 1000, showcases the evolution of air technology along with new manufacturing techniques.

This combination of Air and 3D printing creates an engaging underfoot experience that according to the design team produces “the same comfort and responsiveness” of the original silhouette. At the foundation of this new creation of course is Nike’s obsession with cushioning besides that Air band and the mudguard wave make apparent nuances that tag the 3D printed version to the original.

The wavy lines forming the mudguard and the air unit in the heel do not make the Air Max 1000 much different, but the sneaker’s laceless design truly propels it into a new fan category – delightfully pleasing in a bright red colorway. The blend of smooth and textured print in the upper half of the AM 1000, goes well with the single Swoosh banding and the carved outsole. There is no word on the price, but I believe, the sneaker is worth whatever it comes for!

 

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Nike self-lacing sneakers are losing their app and their biggest value

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Ever since Marty McFly first showed off the idea of self-tying shoelaces in Back to the Future, the footwear industry has been trying to figure out how to turn that fantasy into a reality. As the brand that actually made the movie prop, Nike has been at the forefront of that endeavor and has, in fact, already launched a few pairs of “self-lacing” sneakers years ago. It may have been a hit back then because of its novelty, but the shoe company no longer found any reason to make new ones or to continue supporting the ones that already exist. In fact, it just announced not only the discontinuation of this unique Adapt BB line but also of its app, which will leave some owners rethinking their purchase.

Designer: Nike

“Self-lacing sneakers” are not as magical as they might sound, simply utilizing magnets and electronics to tighten or loosen the shoes. For the Adapt BB line that launched in 2019, you could do this, along with other functions, by pressing buttons on the side of the shoes or, more conveniently, using a smartphone app. That app also provided settings you can’t very well make on the shoes themselves, particularly changing the colors of the buttons’ lights or saving three preset tightness settings.

Nike, however, has discontinued its self-lacing sneakers, and on August 6th, it will also be dropping its mobile apps. Owners of Adapt BBs don’t have to panic, at least not yet, because they can still install the app until that date, and the app will stay installed on their phones even when it disappears from Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. That does mean, however, that you can no longer install or even transfer the app after that day, so if you lose your phone or change devices, you’ll be out of luck.

Fortunately, the shoes themselves will continue working even without the app, but it will mostly be a manual affair without some conveniences. You will not be able to change light colors anymore, for example, and there will only be one preset remembered. You can, however, still tighten or loosen the shoe by pressing the buttons, which require you to bend over like any ordinary shoe. It might still seem a bit advanced, but no longer as mind-blowing as the original.

The announcement, however, does bring a few concerns and questions to mind. For one, the Adapt BB will lose one of its biggest appeal: its accessibility for people who might have difficulty lacing and unlacing sneakers. It also paints a somewhat dubious future for smart wearables like these. While people are used to changing phones almost every two years and for manufacturers to drop support sooner rather than later, most of us keep our wardrobe and footwear until they’re no longer usable, and manufacturer support is rare if not unheard of.

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Cooler Master’s new PC Cases look like something out of a Mecha Paradise

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No that isn’t the latest prop or collectible from the obscure film franchise Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark. It is, in fact, a high-end PC from the folks at Cooler Master. With a mission of wanting to build some of the world’s literally and slangily coolest PCs ever, Cooler Master’s latest showcases at Computex 2024 has us wondering if anything can be a PC (no, sometimes things are also cakes). The company brought out the Shark X and their sneaker-shaped PC designs, which should be available later this year. Standing at anywhere up to 3 feet tall, these PCs aren’t for making spreadsheets, they’re the sportscars of the PC world, designed to dominate both visually as well as in performance. Oh, and they cost upwards of $7000 as per sources, so maybe we’re better off relegated to more budget-friendly PCs, even though they may look boring.

Designer: Cooler Master

The Shark X is advertised as a “fully upgradeable” gaming PC. While the final specifications might change slightly, the current iteration boasts a powerful core: an Intel Core i9-14900KF processor and an MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti graphics card. That’s paired with 32GB of DDR5-5600 memory and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD for speedy storage. Cooling is handled by a Cooler Master MasterLiquid 120 ATMOS liquid cooler, ensuring the system stays frosty during intense gaming sessions. The power supply is a Cooler Master SFX 850W Gold PSU, providing ample wattage for the hardware.

The price tag? Brace yourself – the Shark X is expected to cost upwards of $7,000. Let’s be honest, at that price point, raw performance upgrades become secondary. The Shark X is for those who prioritize an unforgettable conversation starter and a unique centerpiece for their battle station.

The Shark X was also accompanied by the Sneaker X, a more footwear-enthusiast-focused PC that comes with unique panels, stickers, and even a suspension spring giving the PC an over-the-top futuristic look. Both the Shark X and Sneaker X made appearances at CES in 2023, although it seems like Cooler Master’s refining them to a point of an eventual sale.

Cooler Master debuted the Sneaker X in a red variant last year, but this year sees the addition of newer colors. Word on the CPU is vague (the pamphlet says “latest high-end CPU”), but the PC also packs ITX motherboards, and supports Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs. Cooling comes courtesy the Cooler Master PL360 FLUX 360mm AIO liquid CPU cooler. The Sneaker X also has a much more manageable price tag that starts at $3,500 as compared to the Shark X which is double the price. I can understand the appeal, though. A dynamic mecha shark leaping in mid-air does have more eye-catching appeal than a sneaker with suspension springs and a fan. You can’t deny that they’re both pretty gorgeous though…

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Nike is pushing the ‘Air’ to make a difference in the athletes’ stride at the Paris Olympics and beyond

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While athletes around the globe are preparing to compete at the Paris Olympics this year, there is one company that is pushing “Air” to make a difference in the competitor’s stride. We are talking about Nike which is going futuristic with the new Blueprint Pack, its upcoming set of sneakers that will thrive on the boundless properties of its Air cushioning for the athlete’s foot.

When it comes to long-distance runners’ preference for shoes, Nike is the name to reckon with. This is not only because of the brand name and robust marketing but also because the Swoosh brand has, over the years, perfected the comfort for enhancing the runner’s performance. With the new list of 13 products that will be released in time for the Summer Olympics in Paris, Nike is also targeting a new range of sports, including track, basketball, football, and even lifestyle footwear.

Designer: Nike

Besides, Nike is also showcasing A.I.R (Adaptive Intelligence Responsive) concept footwear in Paris, planned in collaboration with champions of their repute including Eliud Kipchoge, Kylian Mbappé, and Sha’carri Richardson and more. These never-seen and idealized designs are a glimpse of the future of sports shoes meant to revolutionize how athletes train and compete. The interesting aspect of these prototypes, beyond their futuristic design, is that they will include sensors to analyze data that would allow the athletes to optimize their performance while providing support and comfort.

In the ambitious move to rework the Air midsole, which is already versatile and comforting, Nike is working more precisely with athletes’ requirements to bring it to every category of footwear possible. The dynamic Nike Air unit is the focus of the company’s designs for the summer, which is a nod to the brand cofounder Bill Bowerman and his obsession to make the best shoes for athletic performance.

Based on the designs envisioned by Bowerman, Nike is using cutting-edge technologies to imagine those sketches to create the Blueprint Pack that closes the gap between sports science, design, and manufacturing. To that accord, the Nike Blueprint Pack will, when it is released on July 3, feature the best of Air innovations in multiple ranges of shoes including the Pegasus Premium, which was the first running footwear with a visible Air Zoom unit.

Besides, the inventive designs have been envisioned for the Nike Victory 2, Nike Maxfly 2 for the runners; the G.T. Hustle 3 for the basketball fans, and the 2024 Nike Mercurial football boot. These shoes, with the new Air cushioning approach, will make their presence felt at the Olympics, while Nike informs, alongside the Blueprint Pack, it could release an energy-driving colorway pack before the games. However, there is no word from Nike on when or if the A.I.R prototypes will be released to the public.

 

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Nike Cortez ‘Yin and Yang’ with zippered tongue cover lends stylish look to iconic silhouette

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Innovating with a tested pair of shoes is a tried method, but at times it can backfire. Nike backs itself when it comes to pushing the boundaries of shoe design it has already perfected: sometimes with the induction of cutting-edge technology and at times only with colors and material without interrupting the baseline comfort and performance.

With its unique styling, Nike Cortez has been a fan favorite through time and the popularity shows no signs of fading. Despite retaining the original silhouette, Nike introduces a new Cortez iteration that lands amid sneakerheads in a bold split color, which instantly reminds us of the Yin and Yang and the ancient Chinese philosophical concept of opposing forces.

Designer: Nike

The new Nike Cortez Yin and Yang-themed sneaker features a striking black and white color scheme that is topped with a zippered shoelace cover. The black and white leather upper is segmented in a way to create a striking contrast, with the stitching playing a nice match-up.

In addition to its eye-catching color display – white on the lateral sides and black on the medial – the Nike Cortez “Yin and Yang” also boasts several unique details. Of course, the zippered shoelace cover is the style highlight but it’s the midfoot Swooshes, extended heel tabs, and printed insoles that add up to the design brilliance for us to appreciate.

Whether you’re a fan of classic sneakers or on the hunt for the latest styles, the Nike Cortez Yin and Yang is sure to turn heads. The price is yet to be announced, but keep an eye out for its release at select Nike retailers and online at Nike.com in the upcoming months.

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These futuristic Iron Man sneakers concepts will make you feel like a superhero

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Over the decades, certain fictional characters have become iconic brands themselves, spurring numerous themed products to tickle fans’ fancies. This is true for childhood friends like Mickey Mouse and Hello Kitty, as well as for more mature characters like superheroes such as Superman, Batman, and Iron Man. Branded apparel often simply use color schemes or character art, but few actually make you feel like the character unless you start getting into the realm of cosplay. These sneakers concept, however, throws all those conventions out the window to present designs that straddle the line between fantasy and reality, making you wish that this footwear did exist just so that you can literally step into the shoes of an iconic superhero.

Designer: Khalil Zahirian

Some superheroes, especially the most popular ones, are designed to be controversial, often to prove that even those who wear tights and capes can be flawed. One shining example is Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, whose escapades as a playboy and an alcoholic may make some question where his moral compass really points to. Few, however, will ever doubt the genius inside the armor, and this collection of sneaker design concepts tries to showcase that creativity in a form that you could wear without looking too overbearing.

There are a few design elements of the Iron Man costume that have become iconic throughout different versions. There are the predominant red and gold colors, of course, but there are also the “Repulsor” lasers that shoot out of the supes’ hands. The movies have also put the spotlight on the glowing blue Arc Reactor chest piece. One important element of the armor that is often overlooked is the boots that make it fly.

All these elements are smashed together in a single piece of footwear that leaves no room for doubt that these are Iron Man sneakers. Not only does the color scheme match expectations, but there are also plenty of embellishments that take the design a few levels higher than simple branded footwear. The cutouts on the top, for example, are clear nods to the aforementioned Arc Reactor, while the blue lights around the soles and even on the outsoles give the image of shoes that are ready to blast off at any moment. The faceted surfaces, atypical of most sneakers, give it an armor vibe, even without the brushed metal finish.

Some elements of these concepts seem to be feasible today since we already have sneakers that light up at every step. Others, like that metallic sheen, might be a little harder to pull off. The shoes are definitely not designed for practical use or even comfort, as there are no clear mechanisms for loosening or tightening them. It definitely comes close to being the ultimate Iron Man sneakers that fans would definitely wear proudly when they finally become reality.

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Bejeweled Indian Bridal Sneaker concept is an exquisite fusion of sneaker design and traditional culture

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Inspired by Indian bridalwear, the ‘Indian Bridal Sneaker’ bridges the gap between traditional garb and modern fashion, creating a sneaker that’s uniquely beautiful and complementary to a bride’s clothes yet equally comfortable.

An Indian wedding isn’t a low-key affair. Spread over days (sometimes even weeks), the wedding happens amidst great fanfare with loads of events, food, people, decor, and most importantly, garments designed to make the lucky couple look like royalty. This approach, however, comes at a price, especially for the bride. Any bridal lehenga worth its salt is an incredibly heavy and uncomfortable garment. As stunning as it looks, it’s equally difficult to wear over long periods of time, given the layers, fabrics, details, etc. In an effort to make it easy to walk around in such garb, modern brides have rejected high heels and ornate footwear for more comfortable and flexible sneakers. While the sneakers don’t particularly match up to the ornate fabric-work on the bridal lehenga, designer Ishan Verma decided to give the sneaker a fitting upgrade to allow it to match the lehenga’s dazzling design, while still being comfortable enough for the bride to stand and walk around in.

Designer: Ishan Verma

A closer look at the sneaker’s design shows how incredibly detailed it is. Designed to match the showstopping appeal of a bridal lehenga, the sneaker uses the same lehenga fabric along with a few special ornate leather trims. The overall color scheme follows a classic maroon/gold palette often seen with Indian bridalwear, and the golden ‘zari-work’ (metallic embroidery) and sequin-work on the shoes are beyond exquisite, allowing the sneakers to be a deserving part of the bridal ensemble. The Indian Bridal Sneaker concept is just a concept for now, but I can only imagine this industry picking up in the future!

The traditional bridalwear-inspired sneaker design also won first place at Adobe Substance 3D Designer’s The Great Shoecase Contest.

The Great Shoecase – Indian Bridal Sneaker by Ishan Verma on Sketchfab

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Givenchy Monumental Mallow Sneakers dropping in red in time for Valentines Day

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Givenchy Monumental Mallow Sneakers Glossy

Futuristic designs give us a glimpse of what could be in the future. It may be far into that Jetson-like world but we don’t really have to wait for that.

When American fashion designer Matthew M. Williams joined Givenchy as its Creative Director in June 2020, he started introducing different designs that appear futuristic. The most popular from a recent collection is the Monumental Mallow which now comes in all red.

Designer: Matthew M Williams (Givenchy)

Givenchy Monumental Mallow Sneakers Design

Red Givenchy Monumental Mallow Sneakers
The new color is a special release in time for Valentine’s Day. The original versions include brown, black, and cream. The cream version was launched in a high-top design with a mesh sock liner. The new red version doesn’t.

The red sneaker is ready in two iterations: matte and glossy. The slip-on sneakers look sleek and simple in matte, giving off a subtle and minimal look. The glossy variant, on the other hand, looks shocking and loud you won’t be missed when you wear a pair on February 14.

Glossy Red Givenchy Monumental Mallow Sneakers

The Matthew M Williams Givenchy Monumental Mallow Sneakers appear to be a silhouette of some sort. The design is sculptural with some added grooves on the upper and curved heels, finished off with a square toe. The black insole is a total contrast but that’s something hidden.

Valentines Red Givenchy Monumental Mallow Sneakers

This pair will make you remember the black shadow haute couture gown from Balenciaga Kim Kardashian wore to the Met Gala last year, at least, that’s what came to my mind. This single-piece design is all-red compared to the original version that arrived with black soles.

Givenchy Monumental Mallow Sneakers Glossy

The red outsole shows off triangle studs allow over for extra grip. The famous Givenchy 4G logo is embossed underneath.

Valentines Red Givenchy Monumental Mallow Sneaker Sole

The Givenchy Monumental Mallow in matte is $595 while the glossy version is more expensive at $695. The red Givenchy sneakers are now available—in time for your Valentine shopping.

Red Givenchy Monumental Mallow SneakersGivenchy Monumental Mallow Sneakers Red Glossy Glossy Valentines Red Givenchy Monumental Mallow Sneakers

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This parametric 3D printed sneaker is made entirely out of one single flexible material

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Like Crocs, but infinitely cooler…

The Parametriks Print 001 sneaker makes clever use of design and material sciences to create a sneaker that’s comfortable, stylish, and easy to manufacture. Sort of like how crocks just use one material that’s injection-molded into the shape of a shoe, the Print 001 relies on 3D printing to fabricate its design… which was arrived at by using parametric algorithms.

Parametric Design involves the use of computational parameters that help guide the design process. In a lot of ways, it’s a collaborative design effort between human and computer, as the human sets the parameters and the computer comes up with a form that most efficiently fulfills those parameters. In the case of this shoe, Nathan Smith (also known by his Instagram moniker Parametriks) used a custom algorithm on Grasshopper to create a form that enveloped a foot perfectly while utilizing less material yet offering the same amount of flexibility.

The shoe/sneaker uses a rather intriguing triangular mesh matrix that warps right around the wearer’s foot, fitting it perfectly thanks to the shoe’s bespoke design. Made from TPU, the shoe is about as flexible as a pair of Crocs, while looking infinitely cooler and offering a level of breathability and flexibility that’s unmatched. Sure, the holes on the shoe’s sole open you up to pebbles, thorns, and water, but then again, this piece of footwear is purely experimental as it hopes to explore what a parametric piece of footwear can look like. I’d say I’m pretty happy with the visual results!

Together, 3D printing and parametric design could essentially revolutionize the footwear industry. 3D printing is increasingly being used by companies like Adidas to design forms that can’t be made through traditional manufacturing methods. Parametric design, on the other hand, involves using the wearer’s foot shape and size as a parametric input, so the computer knows what to wrap its material around. This allows footwear to be incredibly personal and unique to the wearer, making them just as, if not more comfortable than regular mass-manufactured shoes.

You can check out more of Nathan’s work on his Instagram.

Designer: Nathan Smith

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This modular basketball shoe 3D printed in parts for comfort, cushion and traction has a green heart

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Basketball shoes need a perfect blend of breathability, cushion, support and traction. Owing to the performance load, they tend to wear out quickly only to end up in landfills. As an ingenious alternative with the same prowess, an industrial designer with a love for basketball and shoes has conceived a 3D printed modular sneaker system that is built to match the standards of a Dunk High yet thrives on its concept of reparability.

The idea of sustainability is penetrating the footwear industry in a major way to say. While startups and indigenous manufacturers have made the first long stride, it’s the market leaders like Nike and adidas that are now catching up with their performance footwear donning a green conscience. Basketball shoes have not yet been touched by this wind of change; evidently, that’s really not how it will be in the years to come and already a unique concept proves that obvious.

This sustainable basketball sneaker is conceptualized by Dennis Johann Mueller. It has been through a lot of back and forthright from the drawing table to the prototype but the final outcome in images is by and large a concept that deserves to see the light of day with subtle commercial tweaks of course.

The silhouette for me is primarily a rage for its reparability quotient, much like the good conscience Fairphone. The shoe is designed in detachable parts; for instance, the upper, shankplate, midsole and outsole are all separately created to finally form a cohesive unit that can be worn to the hardwood court. This design basically offers users the freedom to adjust different shoe parts to their varying comfort and playing needs, and when they begin to wear out, only have the affected part recreated and replaced so the shoe can be worn as new.

In order to match the requirements of a great basketball shoe, this modular sneaker features a lightweight and perforated upper for good breathability. For comfort, the tongue and ankle areas have inflatable padding, which can be adjusted to need. The removable midsole, forefoot and heel regions come with detailed cushioning, while the translucent outsole wraps around the entire sneaker to act as its skin.

The full package is held together by a cord locking system that fastens the upper, midsole and outsole together without glue. This keeps each part of the shoe practical for recycling at the end of life. So, imagine a scenario where you can replace the shoe parts for the best fit and your style of play on the fly. When some section of the shoe wears out, you can have a new one tailored to perfection and assembled with the existing parts to use again while the waste goes into recycling. This is exactly what the future of the footwear industry we’d want to be realized, and Dennis’ effort is a commendable step in that direction!

Designer: Dennis Johann Mueller