BY It’s been 4 years in the making, and adidas has reimagined its innovation of trainers with 3D printed midsoles.
Taking its 4D Futurecraft range further, adidas has used years of athlete data, developments in 3D printing technology and married it with the objective of helping runners achieve a whole new running experience.
The fruit of that labour is 4DFWD, a running shoe that embodies the latest in material science and engineering that is evident in that striking 4D lattice midsole which was developed in partnership with Carbon.
Combining athlete data and Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis technology, adidas has distilled the ideal lattice structure from over five million possible options to create the core black and solar red stunner you see here on screen.
“4D technology provides us with the opportunity to design in a way that conventional foam midsoles do not allow. We took inspiration from the first generation 4D lattice midsole and set ourselves the challenge to take it to the next level, coding millions of potential lattice structures to see if we could specifically design to counter negative mechanical forces experienced during running. Working closely with Carbon, our product teams, and testers we identified one perfect lattice midsole that is designed to compress forwards under loading and counter mechanical forces whilst delivering a unique gliding sensation for our runners,” describes Sam Handy, vice president of design at adidas Running.
Running is a simple sport, with the sole objective of moving forward in a single direction. To this end, the bowtie-shaped FWD CELL, made out of a 39% bio-based material, has been identified and specifically ‘coded’ as most ideal to translate the vertical impact that from a runner’s footfall, into forward motion, with the spring-like sensation found in running shoes designed for maximum efficiency. In this case, the new 4DFWD shoe achieve this objective with far greater panache.
Compared to previous generations of 4D midsole, the science points to the adidas 4DFWD being able to generate three times as much forward motion under vertical loading in mechanical testing conditions. As for how much running economy it offers, adidas says that it is comparable to its flagship Ultraboost range of midsoles.
Complementing the eye-catching adidas 4DFWD midsole is a new primeknit upper made in part from recycled polyester. Expectedly, it feels light and airy that fits snugly like a sock. adidas also adds that this seemingly simple upper has also benefitted from data science which sees it constructed and assembled in a way that is perfectly aligned with the unique properties of the 4DFWD midsole to prioritise and enhance the support and comfort for runners on their runs.
“At adidas, we’re always looking to combine athlete insights with new and innovative technologies to create the best performance running products. With this approach, we aim to serve and to delight different runners with diverse experiences depending on their needs; be it to run faster, achieve personal goals, run for longer, or to feel more comfort, always bringing new and valuable benefits that runners can feel.
“This industry first midsole innovation positions adidas 4DFWD as our most
advanced digitally printed running midsole yet and showcases the
potential of 4D technology in turning physics and bio-mechanic studies into
performance solutions. We cannot wait for runners to feel and
experience this new product that will deliver new and exciting sensations,”
shares Alberto Uncini Manganelli, adidas senior vice
president and general manager of adidas Running & Credibility Sports.
The brand new adidas 4DFWD will first be released in 3 colourways, with the core black and solar red colourway leading the line’s debut before a special Tokyo Collection drop marks this year’s Tokyo Olympics. A limited release of the adidas 4DFWD will be available for ballot through the adidas app from now to May 16, 2021. The Tokyo Collection colourway will be available from July 1, 2021 before a worldwide drop on August 12,2021.
In the meantime, watch this space for our review of the new adidas 4DFWD right here on Run Singapore.
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