Athletic apparel company PUMA has pounced into the 3D-printed footwear space, announcing its latest collaboration with Porsche Design earlier this week.
The Porsche Design x 3D MTRX sneaker line, which retails for $430, features the traditional lattice-like midsole design seen with most other 3D-printed sneakers, such as the Adidas 4D and the New Balance TripleCell sneakers. The MTRX’s midsole takes inspiration from Porsche Design’s quadrilateral-like logo, which was used as the basis for the sneaker’s grid-like design.
Made of “elastic high-performance resins and materials” (which neither company has yet to fully disclose), the sneaker’s midsole was designed to reinforce “the natural running movement and ensures that up to 83% of the energy expended by the runner can be reused,” according to Porsche Design’s website.
The sneaker’s vamp and upper quarter were not 3D-printed, but feature full-grain leather and carbon fiber evoKNIT textile lining.
Additively manufactured footwear has grown in popularity among consumers, growing from single-print concepts to full-fledged shoe lines hitting retail shelves. An Aug. 2020 analysis conducted by SmarTech Analysis predicting the market potential of 3D-printed shoes to generate approximately $4.2 billion in annual revenue by 2025.
The Porsche Design x 3D MTRX is available for a limited time in two styles: a white upper with a black midsole, and an all black model, featuring a black upper and black midsole.
