There are a lot of 3D printed products out there and most look as though they could have easily been made without using 3D printing. The adidas 4DFWD’s latticed midsole looks as though it had to have been made using a 3D printer. There’s no doubt that this shoe is eye-catching and interesting to look at.
Right away you’ll notice how comfortable the shoe is. The upper is breathable and there is a lot of cushion underfoot. This shoe will win people over when they try it on in a store. But how does it perform on the run?
There is a good deal of cushion in the 4DFWD, but it comes at a bit of a cost in terms of weight, this isn’t a light shoe at 337 grams (11.9oz). I also found that it lacks stability (I pronate and like some medial support). There is a pronounced heel to toe drop of 11mm which some people will love, others won’t and most would get used to. If I wear a heavier road shoe I’d like there to be more stability, otherwise I want a light shoe.
The outsole rubber is grippy and should hold up well to lots of running (I haven’t run in them enough to really know). I ran on the roads and groomed trails in the 4DFWD, and it worked well on both surfaces.
I had to lace them tight to get a snug fit and when I did that there was some bunching of material under the laces. Even when laced tight I noticed a little heel slippage. For those two reasons I’d consider moving down a half size in the 4DFWD.
If you’re looking for a shoe that is comfortable, has lots of cushion and looks cool then here it is. I can see myself wearing these walking around or for easy recovery runs.
3D printed midsoles might be the future of running shoes, but right now I’m most impressed with the innovative look. Early adopters will want to get in on the new technology and it’s interesting to think about where this might go next. These are definitely something new and different.
Find them here.
#4dfwd #adidas4dfwd
