The FUTURECRAFT.STRUNG from Adidas combines AM and textile innovation

Adidas has been working with 3D printing technologies for some years now, trying to find new ways to build footwear. Its FUTURECRAFT division, for example, has been aiming to shape the future of sports through its innovations with concepts like the FUTURECRAFT 4D sneaker that featured a lattice-like 3D printed sole. Recently, the company announced its latest technology, STRUNG, a revolutionary textile innovation that aims to improve the performance of footwear even further.

Whereas the FUTURECRAFT 4D used 3D printing technologies to manufacture the sole, STRUNG uses a unique process to combine athlete input, additive manufacturing and robotics to create a lightweight shoe. In fact, the upper part of the shoe is manufactured with a robot arm, where each thread has been placed according to the input to create a lightweight, seamless shoe that allows natural foot movement.

The STRUNG process

Each thread can be placed in any direction, allowing different areas with well-defined characteristics such as support or flexibility to be combined in a single piece and material. This means that the STRUNG shoe does not need to be reinforced with other components that may hinder the natural movement of the athletes, as is the case with other textiles.