3D Printed Nike Zoom Superfly for the 2016 Olympics

Sprint athletes compete against each other over a few milliseconds only in the finish line. To win the race, each one plans on how to cut off a few seconds of the running time. Most of them use a very lightweight sprinting shoe for the competition. The latest trend for the sprint shoe is the one with spikes on the outsole, intended to dig efficiently into the ground and to push the foot slightly faster. The lightness of the shoe and the ability to control the movement plays a big role for an athlete in the sprint, and with the proper discipline and training, winning is at the tip of their hands.

In 2012 Olympics, the gold-medalist American sprinter, Allyson Felix won the race. She is hoping to win the race again this year and she hopes that Nike will collaborate again to produce another set of sprinting shoes for her.

Allyson Felix at the London 2012 Olympic Games August 8, 2012. (REUTERS/Eddie Keogh)

After exhaustive engineering using the technology, science, and Nike’s innovative designs, Nike came up with the new Nike Zoom Superfly Flyknit sprinting shoe specifically designed based on Allyson Felix’s specifications and biomechanics. This design was collaborated by the Nike’s engineering team and the coaches and trainers of Felix.

Felix is confident to wear this latest sprinting shoe that Nike designed for her. She knew that Nike is passionate about providing the best equipment that a winner, like her, deserves.

Using the Flyknit Technology, Nike constructed this shoe with specific and advanced form. Most of the non-essential features are eliminated and the weight is reduced to suit the needs of the sprinter. The spikes placed on the outsole allow the sprinter to improve running time and efficiency, but Nike assured Felix that such design is aligned with her preferred flexibility, stiffness, and shape. This is done and accomplished with the use of the 3D printing system. The rapid prototyping of the 3D system makes the construction of the shoe precise, efficient, and reliable. The Selective Laser Sintering Process of the 3D printing system is utilized for this project.

It took Nike almost two years to create the shoe. They met with Felix time and time again to get her specifications, and Nike alternated the design for more than seventy times until they finally optimized one to suit Felix’s requirements. With the mission of inventing performance innovation in terms of running shoes for athletes, Nike aims to make athletic performances even better with their wide range of sports shoes.

Nike was positive about the great enhancement of Felix’s performance with the help of the 3D Printed Nike Zoom Superfly Flyknit sprinting shoe, but unfortunately, this shoe is not available for the public and for all the athletes out there who want one as well. This shoe is specifically designed for Allyson Felix and it is done in just one single pair. Yet, Nike is still developing more designs using the 3D printing system and technology to produce more similar shoes that anyone can purchase and use for a wide range of sports and activities.