Have you ever tried the feeling of struggling to run on sand? Today, I want to introduce a pair of running shoes that perfectly replicate that sensation.
Recently, Jeff Staple, the founder of Staple, posted a brand new pair of adidas 4D running shoes on his personal Instagram.
These adidas 4D 'Grit' running shoes are a conceptual design. The woven upper paired with the wrap-around 4D outsole not only looks unique but also offers excellent functionality. The entire shoe is designed to mimic the feeling of walking on the beach, so the sole is very soft and effectively reduces rebound, slowing down running speed while enhancing leg exertion, thus training the glutes, legs, and core strength.
Most of us hope that our running shoes can help us run faster and farther. But what if you are a professional athlete or an enthusiast? You might be looking for a way to make each step more challenging.
That's why people in the United States often travel long distances to train at Sand Dune Park in Southern California, which is essentially a giant hill made of sand. This is a very popular training spot, especially for professional athletes, because running on sand is extremely strenuous, thus making the training more effective.
The inspiration behind the Grit concept shoes comes from Sand Dune Park, and they aim to provide the sensation of running on sand anytime, anywhere. These 3D-printed shoes are made of a complex mesh structure that offers support to the feet at critical moments during running to prevent injuries, while at other times, it disappears, forcing the wearer to expend more energy while running.
The designer of Grit is Aarish Netarwala, a student from the ArtCenter College of Design (ACCD). To create the prototype, Netarwala initially tied two pieces of granular material to the soles of his feet and tried running with them. However, he encountered a problem: although the outsole material made it difficult to take steps, it also meant that the poor stability of the shoes could cause ankle sprains, which is very dangerous.
So, Netarwala turned to a 3D-printed mesh structure—using a higher mesh density at the heel for stability, and more elastic materials near the forefoot to make it difficult to flatten, thereby achieving better training results.
He created a prototype, with the shoes mainly consisting of two parts: a 3D-printed soft and elastic outsole and an easy-to-wear sock-like upper. The 3D-printed mesh sole, made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPU), completely wraps around the upper. Ultimately, Netarwala designed a highly personalized shoe that can be customized according to each person's running gait while ensuring safety during exercise.
However, for now, Grit is still a rough concept that needs extensive testing and a manufacturing partner to become a real product. So, interested folks might have to wait and see if this conceptual product can successfully hit the market!
Of course, if you are just a running enthusiast and don't need such high resistance, Codoon has running shoes that are more suitable for you! They are not only great for running but also offer excellent value for money. Don't believe it? Click the link below to check them out...
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