Nike’s 3D printed sneaker is formally getting a launch. The Air Max 1000 Oatmeal, made utilizing Zellerfeld’s 3D printing know-how, is ready to drop in Summer season 2025, with a retail worth of round $210.
If this sounds acquainted, it’s as a result of we already lined the hype again when Nike first revealed the shoe. As 3DPrint.com reported final 12 months, the Air Max 1000 marks Nike’s large leap into absolutely 3D printed footwear. The corporate teamed up with Zellerfeld, a startup recognized for its absolutely 3D printed, one-piece sneakers that don’t use any glue, stitching, or conventional meeting strategies. Collectively, they introduced this sculptural design to life utilizing additive manufacturing (AM).
Nike’s 3D printed Air Max 1000 Oatmeal. Picture courtesy of Janelle C. Shuttlesworth.
Zellerfeld makes use of fused filament fabrication (FFF) to make its sneakers. This course of works by melting a particular materials, the ZellerFoam, and printing the shoe. The result’s a light-weight, breathable, and made-to-fit your toes shoe. This additionally cuts down on waste since every little thing is printed simply as wanted.
Again in April 2024, 3DPrint.com Govt Editor Joris Peels took an early take a look at how Nike was experimenting with 3D printing and AI in what he known as a “hype-sauce” form of means. Then in November, he adopted up with a story on Nike’s quiet partnership with Zellerfeld by way of its open beta platform, which gave the model the proper sandbox to attempt one thing new, principally only one steady printed shoe.
Now the sneaker is lastly making its technique to the general public.
The time period “colorway” refers back to the particular combine of colours and supplies used on a shoe. This one, known as Oatmeal, blends delicate beige tones and has already been noticed on TikTok, Instagram, and X, within the fingers (or on the toes) of early influencers. On Instagram, life-style creator Janelle C. Shuttlesworth shared the sneakers again in April, saying they “felt like air on her toes.” Additionally, sneaker information account JustFreshKicks, which has over 530,000 followers on X, posted a close-up of the design, whereas TikTok consumer @shoehefner5 walked viewers by way of each element in a fast clip.
Some followers have additionally began speaking about this pair as “Foamy Oat,” a nickname that has gained traction throughout social media.
Even earlier than it began displaying up on-line, this similar design was already grabbing consideration in actual life. It confirmed up at ComplexCon in Las Vegas final November. It’s notably enticing because of its laceless, sculptural, and tremendous easy texture, which nonetheless options the clear “Air chamber within the heel,” staying true to Nike’s Air Max roots whereas bringing the road into the 3D printed universe.
Whereas Nike hasn’t confirmed an actual date but, a number of shops, together with Sneaker Freaker, are pointing to a launch window between June and August 2025.
Nike’s 3D printed Air Max 1000 Oatmeal. Picture courtesy of Janelle C. Shuttlesworth.
John Hoke, Nike’s Chief Innovation Officer, mentioned it finest when he known as the shoe a mix of “management, occasions precision, occasions expression.” Principally, this feels like Nike is experimenting with how sneakers might be manufactured, not simply how they appear. Most apparently, it’s all being achieved with 3D printing.
With this launch, Nike joins a rising checklist of main shoe manufacturers tapping into AM to reimagine not solely efficiency however manufacturing itself. Adidas lately launched the absolutely 3D printed Climacool, a slip-on sneaker that includes a breathable lattice construction, priced at $140 and launched globally on Could 2, 2025. ASICS has additionally entered the 3D printed footwear house with its Actibreeze 3D Sandal 2, designed for optimum breathability and luxury and launched on June 1, 2024.
The APCC 3D printed ultralightweight, sport-ready nails designed for Sha’Carri Richardson. Picture courtesy of Nike.
Nike, for its half, has been exploring 3D printing throughout a number of initiatives. At its Superior Product Creation Middle (APCC), positioned on the firm’s world headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, engineers and designers have been utilizing speedy prototyping, robotic testing, and even 3D printing for functions equivalent to spikes for athletes, together with American observe and subject sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson. In a current behind-the-scenes put up on LinkedIn, Nike highlighted how the APCC helps flip daring ideas into actual merchandise quicker than ever.
And if influencer buzz is something to go by, the Air Max 1000 is already successful earlier than it hits cabinets.
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