Made from 100% 3D printed materials

After initial sketches and designs, I used a traditional taping method to create the upper. I taped the only last I could find (pictured right) as well as one that I 3D printed (shown above) to finalize designs and produce renderings of the upper which are shown below.

The outsole contains half-hexagonal studs for the greatest support possible. A hexagonal pattern provides extra stability because of its symmetry across all diagonals helping the studs equally distribute force. These half hexagon shapes promote more stability in both forward and lateral directions. The two studs in the center of the foot are lowered to imitate the parabolic curve of a soccer ball, allowing more surface area of the ball to come into contact with the soleplate and therefore giving the player better control over the ball.

In the end, the soleplate was constructed with a two-piece construction that uses a rigid PLA plastic for its studs and a flexible TPE (aka NinjaFlex), pictured in the bottom left, for the main piece of the outsole.

This video depicts my initial testing of the soleplate and its feel on the ball.

The flexibility of the upper is demonstrated on the left. It is made from a TPE based 3D printer filament. As a softer and stretchier synthetic, the material is ideal on surfaces designed for ball contact. Its elasticity makes it ideal for shooting/passing while its higher friction/ grip make it great for ball-control.

The elevation of the Ns and hexagons mean that less force must be applied to distort the rubber. This makes for a more cushioned touch on the instep and outer foot, ideal for dribbling and receiving the ball.

The construction above demonstrates how 3D printing can change the way we think about our footwear. With more experience and materials the next generation of soccer cleats isn't far away.