Under Armour upgrades its 3D-printed shoe with ArchiTech Futurist

By Garrett Hulfish March 31, 2017

Year after year, 3D-printing technology is getting better. There are more products that can be printed and the machines have been refined to the point that many printed objects don’t look printed. Shoes are the latest endeavor across the biggest names in athletics and Under Armour released its latest model.

The ArchiTech Futurist is an updated version of the company’s ArchiTech running shoe it released in 2016. This time, the technology is back in a high-top variant. With a 3D-printed midsole made from a lattice network, this shoe offers plenty of stability and cushion.

Those intertwined loops are what provide the shoe with its cushioning and support. Overtop that is a flat outsole that features different density foams for a smoother feel. What sets this shoe apart from last year’s model is how it fits. The Futurist uses a compression lace system with a neoprene shroud and a zipper. Just like a compression sleeve, it conforms to each user’s foot. This provides lockdown and support with a tailored and seamless fit.

Additionally, the shoe takes advantage of Under Armour’s SpeedForm. This upper maintains the seamless look and locks the heel into the shoe. Whether the user is lifting, training, or running, the shoe will maintain a seamless fit with the heel. This is a shoe designed for superior fit and comfort with a modern silhouette.

Due to the complexity of the tendrils, each shoe takes a full day of printing. Just like the ArchiTech before it, the Futurist launched with a very limited release at a retail price of $300. While the shoe is currently sold out, those who are interested are encouraged to sign up for email notifications about availability.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Garrett Hulfish

Contributor

Garrett is the kind of guy who tells you about all the tech you haven't heard of yet. He also knows too much about other…

Emerging Tech

The best 3D printers under $500

3D printers are finally affordable. Here are the best models under $500

anycubic photon review 3d printer xxl 2

The 3D printing market has seen quite a few changes over the last few years. In just the span of a decade, the barrier to entry has dropped from well over several thousand dollars to under $200 in some cases. However, all entry and mid-level printers are not made equal. We have a few suggestions for prospective buyers and other information regarding alternatives not found on this list.

To some veterans of the 3D printing scene, this list may seem like it lacks a few of the most commonly recommended printers for newcomers. This is by design. Our list only considers printers with tested components from proven, reliable vendors. That's why we chose the Monoprice MP Mini v2 as our top pick--it's reliable and easy to use. We have avoided any printer with a frame primarily made from interlocking acrylic pieces and anything historically unreliable.
Most bang for your buck: Monoprice MP Mini v2

Pros:

News

Ceramic ink could let doctors 3D print bones directly into a patient’s body

ceramic ink 3d printed bones bioprinting australia 2

Scientists use a novel ink to 3D print ‘bone’ with living cells

The term 3D bioprinting refers to the use of 3D printing technology to fabricate biomedical parts that, eventually, could be used to create replacement organs or other body parts as required. While we’re not at that point just yet, a number of big advances have been made toward this dream over the past couple of decades.

Emerging Tech

The future of making stuff: Inside the evolution of 3D printing with Formlabs

future of 3d printing formlabs ces 2021 castablewax40

When 3D printing went mainstream in the mid-2010s and exploded in popularity, it was about as hyped up as it possibly could be. Evangelists told us it would fundamentally transform the way goods were made, and usher in a bold new era of creative freedom. Soon, they said, we’d be able to fabricate anything we wanted on-demand, Star Trek replicator style, right from the comfort of our own homes.

But of course, 3D printing didn't really live up to that high-flying dream. Instead, it made a momentary splash and then largely returned to the fringes, gaining adoption in hobbyist workshops and cutting-edge product design labs, but not really changing the face of manufacturing in the way many hoped it might.