Brooks Is 3D Printing the Soles of Sneakers for Better Running Performance

We have all seen adidas’ continued success in the 3D-printed footwear market, and increasingly we are seeing more and more players entering into this field. One example is Brooks Running which has renewed its partnership with manufacturer HP. In 2017, the two companies had jointly announced the launch of the Genesys shoe, an innovation that enabled customization for each buyer thanks to 3D foot-scanning technology. At the time, HP used its FitStation technology to create a 3D print of the wearer’s foot. Today, Brooks continues its collaboration with HP by unveiling a brand-new running shoe incorporating 3D printing technology. This new creation, christened Exhilarate-BL, is a flagship of the brand’s BlueLine Lab program and custom-designed according to the runner’s specific needs and data.

The Exhilarate-BL running shoe features a 3D-printed midsole, designed to provide a bouncy feel that comfortably propels the wearer forward. In addition to their usefulness as exercise sneakers, these shoes also allow you to monitor your training. In fact, they are equipped with sensors capable of measuring parameters such as stride length, pace and other factors related to height and weight.

The new Brooks Exhilarate-BL running shoe

According to Nikhil Jain, Brooks’ director of footwear product line management and BlueLine, leveraging HP’s 3D printing technology has enabled the company’s design team to perfect midsole details to the millimeter, an achievement that would otherwise have been out of reach. Mr. Jain emphasized that the use of 3D printing paved the way for a transformation of the running experience at the level of the foot. He added that it had the potential to bring even greater optimization, helping to deliver a high-end, high-performance running experience.