Skip to main content

Keep drooling. It’ll be a while until you can afford the future of shoes

future sneakers technology nike hyperadapt opinion adidas futurecraft 4d 6
Image used with permission by copyright holder
The last few years have delivered a technological renaissance in footwear. Nike’s Hyperadapt 1.0 made Back II The Future‘s self-lacing shoes a reality. Adidas’ Futurecraft 4D crafted the most comfortable shoe sole we’ve ever seen using 3D printing and, believe it or not, light. Not to be outdone, Reebok’s Liquid Factory also used 3D printing to make its own intricate and visually stunning designs before the company debuted a completely recyclable — and wholly unique — footwear line dubbed Cotton + Corn.

So where do you get a pair? Well, that’s the tricky part.

Technology may be making our sneakers smarter and trendier but it’s also, paradoxically, keeping them off your feet. No matter how fashionable or modern you think your sneakers are, it’s unlikely you’ve worn anything like these kicks. The “Future of Sneakers” has mostly yielded overpriced, underproduced concept shoes the average person won’t ever have an opportunity to lace up. Here’s what’s holding them back, and why we might not have to put up with it forever.

Where are those?

Reebok released only 300 pairs of the Liquid Factory sneakers in 2016, and has yet to officially announce plans for a re-release. At this point, its role as a one-and-done seems inevitably set in stone.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Nike followed a similar path with the Hyperadapt 1.0, first putting them on sale in December of 2016 and offering an unspecified quantity. The footwear giant then put them back on the market in September of this year — yet again at unspecified quantities — and capped off the re-release with no expressed plan of making them widely available.

Reebok’s Cotton and Corn sneakers are the rarest of the bunch — these don’t even have a whiff of a release date to their name. So, what gives?

Sneaker companies know these concepts generate hype, but they haven’t put nearly as much thought into how to actually produce them. The struggles of Adidas’ 3D-printed shoe — the 3D Runner — show the problem precisely. Adidas 3D-printed and sold a few hundred pairs of these shoes in December of 2016, a full year after unveiling the Futurecraft 3D, the company’s first 3D-printed shoe.

You won’t see many people donning this kind of footwear on your local streets.

This limited number of sneakers were largely due to the 3D printing technology Adidas used, which only allowed the brand to build six midsoles at a time — and took a staggering eight to 10 hours just to 3D print those six midsoles. That translates to a few dozen produced every day; it doesn’t take a business major to know that’s not exactly conducive to mass production.

3D printing and other new small-scale manufacturing techniques may make it easier for these companies to crank out a few units for collectors, but they don’t translate at all to the factories where the real work gets done. Until these brands devise a way to make a pair of next-gen sneakers as fast and as cheap as, say, a pair of Jordans, you won’t see many people donning this kind of footwear on your local streets.

Mo’ money, fewer shoes

Prices for these shoes reflect their rarity. While shoemakers do have a history of jacking up prices no matter how little its production costs are — let’s not forget the often expensive resale market, either — this recent run of tech-forward footwear is in a league of its own. So, while Nike’s intended price of $720 for the Hyperadapt 1.0 is almost laughable, it makes sense. After all, new technology is rarely inexpensive.

Adidas hasn’t priced its Futurecraft 4D shoes yet, but a recent Reuters report warns of a looming “unspecified premium price” on the horizon. Only Reebok’s Liquid Factory shoes have what one might consider a bargain for a next-gen sneaker, at a modest $190.

Reebok
Reebok

As frustrating as these high prices are, they reflect real costs of adding technology. Nike’s Hyperadapt features built-in sensors to detect foot pressure, an integrated motor, and also requires a two-amp portable battery charger — all so you won’t have to bend down to physically lace them up. Add to that the usual rubber, leather, vinyl, and foam, and no wonder the price is exorbitantly high.

Future hopes

The path forward for sneakers isn’t entirely bleak — there’s still plenty of hope for a future that fits on your feet. Like OLED televisions, the technology in these shoes starts expensive, but it’s getting cheaper all the time.

In May 2016, Hewlett-Packard unveiled the HP Jet Fusion 3D Printing Solution, which HP now uses to help Nike produce 3D-printed sneakers. HP promises its new 3D printing machines can print shoe parts up to 10 times faster, and at half the price than traditional 3D printing methods.

Adidas is also refining manufacturing practices for the Futurecraft 4D, intent on making it more cost-effective. The company expects to sell 5,000 pairs this year, but plans to release a whopping 100,000 pairs next year. The catalyst for its 20-fold increase in production rests with Carbon, the company pioneering an advanced 3D-printing process known as “digital light synthesis” to manufacture parts of the shoe. Though Carbon currently prints a midsole in an hour and a half, the company expects to reduce that time to as low as 20 minutes.

Be patient. These advances will eventually trickle down to futuristic footwear you can afford. Like flat-screen TVs and smartphones, some day we’ll all be able to afford shoe technology that most of us can only dream about today.

Keith Nelson Jr.
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Keith Nelson Jr is a music/tech journalist making big pictures by connecting dots. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY he…
Save up to $50 on EGO power tool bundles at Amazon today
Ego Lawn Mower

Power tools are available from several noteworthy brands, and nothing screams “deal” like sweeping markdowns on hardware from a company like EGO. As we speak, Amazon is offering numerous discounts on a number of terrific EGO products, making this one of the best times to save big on DIY gear like mowers, chainsaws, and lighting rigs! Want more power tool options? Check out our list of the best power tool deals featuring brands like Dewalt, Milwaukee, and Ryobi.

Why you should buy EGO power tool bundles
At the time of writing, there are several great EGO tools on sale, but we’d like to highlight some of the best markdowns we came across. One such offer was for the EGO Power+ CS1604 16-inch Cordless Chainsaw. At full price, this model costs $300, but today it’s marked down to $200. This IPX4-rated battery-powered saw delivers up to 6,800 RPM, making it ideal for cutting hard and soft woods, tree branches, and more. The included 56V battery should also get you around 250 cuts on a full charge.

Read more
Everyone should have a LifeStraw in their emergency kit — only $13 today
Someone using a LifeStraw in a puddle.

With Amazon having just announced the return of its Prime Big Deal Days event in October, the retailer has also launched some great sales right now. One such awesome discount is on the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter. It normally costs $20 but right now, it’s down to $13 so you’re saving $7 or 33% off the regular price. If you regularly hike and explore, you seriously need this in your collection. Here’s a look at why but bear in mind that the deal will end soon.

Why you should buy the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
If you travel off the beaten path regularly, you need one of the best water purifiers. After all, we all need water to live and water you come across on your outdoor adventures is almost always contaminated. Whether you’re thinking to protect your weekly hikes or a much bigger trip, the LifeStraw Personal Water Filter will help.

Read more
Best grill deals: Summer savings on gas, charcoal, and pellet grills
People grilling outside.

While summer is on it's way out, the weather is still warm and good enough to do some grilling, and if you haven't had a chance yet, then there are quite a few nice grills you can snag for yourself before summer is over. Whether it's an outdoor grills or grills and smokers, there's a surprising variety out there, and there has even been a boom in smaller and portable grills that are great for picnics or camping, so if it opens up a lot more activities. Either way, we've tried to save you a bit of hassle by going out and collecting some of our favorite grill deals below.
Megamaster Charcoal Kettle Grill  -- $65, was $129

For a classic backyard barbecue at a more affordable price than most grills you can turn to the Megamaster Charcoal Kettle Grill. It’s a charcoal grill with a total cooking area of 245 square inches, and it makes for one of the simplest grilling experiences available. At 18.5 inches wide, you have quite a lot of space to put larger or longer items on the grills plus the little rack at the bottom is great for any sort of additional storage while you're grilling, making this a very convenient option.

Read more