International sportswear chief Nike is reportedly getting ready to launch the Air Max 1000 Oatmeal, its first absolutely 3D printed sneaker, with a launch tentatively scheduled for Summer season 2025. Whereas Nike has but to verify an official launch date, business sources counsel the debut could happen someday between June and August. The retail value is anticipated to be roughly $210.
This mannequin marks a step in Nike’s exploration of additive manufacturing (AM), enabled by means of a collaboration with Zellerfeld, a German startup recognized for its work in absolutely 3D printed footwear.
Constructing Buzz On-line
The “Oatmeal” colorway—a impartial mix of sentimental beige tones—has already attracted consideration on social platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X. In April, content material creator Janelle C. Shuttlesworth described the sneakers as “gentle as air” in a video preview. Sneaker-focused accounts resembling JustFreshKicks and TikTok consumer @shoehefner5 have additionally provided early walkthroughs. Amongst followers, the nickname “Foamy Oat” has began to catch on.
Earlier than producing buzz on-line, the sneaker made a public look at ComplexCon Las Vegas in November 2024. There, its laceless, sculptural silhouette and easy, seamless texture stood out—merging futuristic design with signature Air Max components, such because the seen heel air unit.
Reimagining the Air Max Legacy
Drawing inspiration from the unique Air Max 1 (1987), the Air Max 1000 retains the long-lasting air cushion within the heel whereas reinventing the remainder of the construction utilizing 3D printing. The shoe’s higher and outsole are shaped as a single, steady piece, produced from ZellerFoam, a proprietary versatile materials developed by Zellerfeld.
Zellerfeld’s fused filament fabrication (FFF) course of permits diverse materials densities all through the shoe—leading to a agency, supportive sole paired with a light-weight, breathable higher. The laceless, slip-on design prioritizes ease of damage whereas reinforcing a modern, minimalist aesthetic.
Nike’s Chief Innovation Officer, John Hoke, emphasised the broader influence of the design, noting that the Air Max 1000 “opens up new artistic prospects” and achieves ranges of precision and contouring not attainable with conventional footwear manufacturing. He additionally pointed to the sustainability advantages of AM, which produces minimal waste by fabricating solely the mandatory parts.
Enlargement of 3D Printed Footwear Know-how
The Air Max 1000 joins a rising lineup of 3D printed footwear improvements from main manufacturers. Gucci, the Italian luxurious model recognized for mixing conventional craftsmanship with fashionable strategies, unveiled a number of Cub3d sneakers as a part of its Spring Summer season 2025 (SS25) assortment. The model developed Demetra, a fabric produced from not less than 70% plant-based substances, together with viscose, wooden pulp, and bio-based polyurethane. The bi-material sole combines an EVA-filled inside for cushioning and a TPU exterior, that includes an Interlocking G sample that creates a 3D impact.
Elsewhere, Syntilay, a footwear firm combining synthetic intelligence with 3D printing, launched a variety of custom-fit slides. These slides are designed utilizing AI-generated 3D fashions, beginning with sketch-based ideas which can be refined by means of AI platforms after which remodeled into digital 3D designs. The corporate provides sizing changes based mostly on smartphone foot scans, that are built-in into the manufacturing course of.
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Featured picture exhibits Nike’s 3D printed Air Max 1000 Oatmeal. Photograph through Janelle C. Shuttlesworth.
