Sportswear manufacturer Asics debuts a line of 3D printed footwear with ACTIBREEZE™ 3D SANDAL. Designed “to help the body and mind of a recovering athlete in the After Performance phase”, these sandals feature a geometric structure created with a parametric design method and 3D printing, to ensure comfort and protection for the wearer.
A similar design strategy created a lot of hype at the beginning of the year when designer Nathan Smith unveils the Parametriks Print 001 sneaker. Parametric design is a design method where features (such as building elements and engineering components) are shaped according to algorithmic processes, in contrast to being designed directly. In this method, parameters and rules determine the relationship between design intent and design response. The goal of parametric design, therefore, is to add the dimensions and any other specific information needed for functionality and manufacturability.
The 3D printing process may not have been precised; however, our guess is that SLS 3D printing is the process leveraged here.
AJ Andrassy, General Manager of Product Management, Performance Running Footwear Div. at ASICS said: “We’ve had the super shoe and the super spike. Now it’s time for the super sandal. The ACTIBREEZE™ 3D SANDAL represents our belief that innovation in sports footwear shouldn’t be limited to what the athlete wears when competing or training. Through our new After Performance commitment, we want to continue exploring new ways we can further optimize post-race recovery and relaxation of both body and mind for our athletes.”
Other key design elements of the ACTIBREEZE™ 3D SANDAL include a thick, open lattice structure. This unique formation delivers excellent cooling and breathability, with the sandal proven to keep temperature and humidity levels on-foot lower than other recovery sandals currently on the market. The sandal’s extra wide base meanwhile provides a soft, stable platform.
All of these features combine to help optimize a recovering athlete’s After Performance phase, helping ensure they are ready to go again and perform at their peak come the next raceday.
The launch of ACTIBREEZE™ 3D SANDAL sees ASICS extend its commitment to offering the very best in performance and protection for its athletes with a first step into the After Performance space. The move reflects ASICS’ belief that significant performance gains can be made through enhanced recovery of both body and mind for its athletes.
Genki Hatano, Lead Researcher at Future Creation Dept, ASICS Institute of Sport Science (ISS) who was in charge of the parametric design, said: “This sandal is quite unlike anything we’ve created before. Its unique design provides structural integrity while still having an ability to be morphed parametrically. The result is a sandal that provides the right amount of porousness – combining breathability and resilience to deliver optimized levels of softness and support. The successful implementation of this method also moves us closer to an exciting future where a shoe can freely morph its form to exactly fit the profiles of each individual athlete.”
ACTIBREEZE™ 3D SANDAL is available as from $80.
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