[3D Printing] NIKE partners with 3D printing experts to launch the Air Max 1000s with full 3D printing!

3D printed shoes with a futuristic feel

The entry of 3D printing technology into the footwear industry has opened up more disruptive possibilities for design and production models. After years of development, this technology has gradually expanded from its initial conceptual and experimental innovations to the mass market. In other words, as costs, production capacity, and market conditions mature, 3D printed shoes are gradually transforming from "visible" to "wearable" for interested consumers.

Nearly forty years ago, Tinker Hatfield revolutionized sneakers with his visible Air technology. Now, Nike is once again rewriting shoe design, integrating 3D printing technology into footwear production. The Air Max 1000, a collaboration between Nike and German 3D printing expert Zellerfeld, is undoubtedly Nike's most ambitious manufacturing leap to date. This is a fully 3D-printed sneaker that, while retaining the essence of the original Air Max 1, pushes it into uncharted territory. After causing a sensation at ComplexCon 2024, the "Black" and "Oatmeal" colorways will finally be released in limited quantities on August 19, 2025, on Zellerfeld's website and SNKRS (US$179), allowing sneaker enthusiasts to truly experience the transformative power of 3D printing technology in footwear for the first time.

Nike | Zellerfeld

These sneakers feature a laceless design, following the visual language of the Air Max 1 while completely redesigning its structure. Nike's visible Air unit is retained, but appears as "all orange" in the oatmeal version and electric green in the black version. All other details utilize Zellerfeld's proprietary printing process.

The Air Max 1000 is 103 grams lighter than comparable products. It retains all the iconic elements of Hatfield's 1987 masterpiece and has been digitally filtered. The iconic fender pattern is now directly engraved into the zellerFOAM TPU structure, creating a depth and texture that is completely different from traditional manufacturing processes.

Nike | Zellerfeld

Zellerfeld's approach is more than just novel. Their variable density printing technology creates distinct zones within a single product: providing stronger support where needed and maintaining flexibility in critical areas of movement. Their fused filament manufacturing technology completely eliminates the need for glue, stitching, and traditional assembly lines. This isn't just different; it's inherently more efficient and potentially more sustainable.

Nike | Zellerfeld

The black colorway best showcases the ingenuity of the 3D technology and the specially designed textures, while a softer oatmeal color might obscure some details. The monochrome black finish, however, highlights every sculptural angle and textured surface. The mesh structure covering the upper and the sharply defined geometric shape of the midsole create a near-futuristic architectural feel, and replicating this standard manufacturing process would require significantly increased complexity and cost.

Nike | Zellerfeld

In fact, NIKE is not alone in its efforts to integrate the footwear industry with 3D printing technology.

Official website purchase page | Via Zellerfeld

As 3D printing technology continues to break through cost and efficiency bottlenecks (such as Form3L significantly improving the precision of large-sized parts, and Raise3D enabling the digitized mass production of shoe uppers), this experiment, which began with limited-edition collaborations, will eventually become the norm in the mass market. In the future, every pair of shoes in your wardrobe may begin with a unique digital profile—customization will become the norm, and sustainability will become standard. This is the ultimate prophecy that the Air Max 1000 has written for the global footwear industry.

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