Decathlon’s performance running brand Kiprun has launched its first 3D printed shoe, the KIPNEXT 3D, joining a growing list of sportswear companies incorporating additive manufacturing into their footwear lines. The brand, created by Decathlon roughly two decades ago, has positioned itself around technical running gear and athlete partnerships, and is now extending that focus into midsole construction.
The shoe combines a knitted upper with integrated lacing and a 3D printed midsole, taking a hybrid approach rather than a fully additive construction. The visual contrast between the two components is pronounced, with the lattice midsole’s open geometry standing out against the more conventional upper.
What the Midsole Is Made Of and How It Works
The midsole is produced using HP‘s Multi Jet Fusion process with a proprietary thermoplastic elastomer material. Its variable-density lattice structure is intended to distribute cushioning according to a runner’s stride pattern, while keeping overall weight down. Kiprun claims an energy return of 75%, compared to the 50–65% range commonly cited for EVA foam midsoles, though independent verification of that figure has not been published.
SomethingAdded, a Barcelona-based company specialising in MJF-based footwear production, supported the development alongside Decathlon’s Shenzhen innovation hub. The project went from concept to finished product in under six months.
“Embracing new methodologies and delivering a high-performance shoe in just 180 days is an inspiring human and professional adventure. Proud of what we are building together. It is just the first step of the journey, and the future of running is officially printing,” stated Anthony Dulieu, Running Director, Decathlon.
The shoe is currently sold exclusively in select Decathlon stores in China at approximately US$250, in limited quantities. No timeline for broader availability has been announced.
3D Printed Footwear Is No Longer a Niche
The footwear industry’s relationship with additive manufacturing has shifted noticeably over the past few years, moving from isolated experiments by a handful of early adopters to a growing wave of launches across market segments. Performance brands, luxury houses, and startups are all finding different reasons to explore 3D printing, whether for design freedom, customization, speed to market, or material efficiency.
The pace of new entrants has picked up considerably. Nike introduced the Air Max 1000, described as its first fully 3D printed sneaker, with its laceless sculptural silhouette debuting publicly at ComplexCon Las Vegas in late 2024 before broader releases followed, and has since continued iterating.
Gucci expanded its 3D printed Cub3d sneaker line as part of its Spring Summer 2025 collection, scaling from an initial limited run of 20 pairs to five colorways, using a material composed of at least 70% plant-based ingredients. Meanwhile, platforms like Zellerfeld have been building a growing network of brand collaborations spanning Nike, Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, and UK luxury label Mallet London, the latter marking its first foray into 3D printing.
What the KIPNEXT 3D adds to this picture is a mid-market performance angle that has been relatively underserved. Most of the high-profile 3D printed footwear to date has clustered either at the premium end or in limited-edition drops aimed at collectors. A brand like Kiprun occupying this space points to additive manufacturing becoming relevant not just at the extremes of the market, but across it.
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Featured image shows KIPNEXT 3D. Photo via Decathlon.
