adidas futurecraft brings milling techniques to custom leather sneaker production

adidas futurecraft brings milling techniques to custom leather sneaker production 
all images courtesy of adidas

as part of their concept manufacturing division, adidas unveils ‘futurecraft leather’ – a combination of a high-tech fabrication processing and traditional material that results in a completely seamless upper shoe that enables flex, support and comfort in one single piece. ‘futurecraft leather’ comes out of a collaboration between alexander taylor studio with adidas and shoe designer joachim de callatay, and uses a milling technique that is usually applied to metal, polymer and resin components in industrial manufacturing, to transform leather into a resource for advanced performance footwear.

‘futurecraft leather’ equips adidas with the potential to tailor the material more precisely than ever before to individual needs by creating a fit to the exact geometry of one’s foot. milled to varying thickness, the seamless leather upper delivers flexibility and stability exactly where it is needed. ‘futurecraft leather’ is the second chapter in the ‘futurecraft’ series, which demonstrates adidas’ commitment to innovating throughout all areas of production. check out their first chapter, the 3D printed shoe here.

to showcase the process, adidas has produced 45 pairs of special edition futurecraft leather superstars, available at dover street market in new york, london and tokyo.

the mill tool etches directly on the leather piece

 
the computer process is very accurate
 
the finished milled leather 

the process only customizes the upper shoe


the upper part folds into the sole  

the ‘originals superstar’ slowly takes shape

the material’s thickness can differ

the finished shoe with the laces

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