Within the last decade, adidas has introduced the world to innovative technology that is not only comfortable but has pushed the footwear landscape into a new direction — forward.
From BOOST to 4D, the Three Stripes has kept performance at the core of its innovative rollouts.
Continuing its partnership with Carbon 3D printing, adidas has unveiled its latest 4D running shoe — the adidas 4DFWD 2. The 4D technology heads to the future of the brand’s offerings as the intricate midsole design marks the industry’s first-ever bowtie-shaped lattice midsole.
In doing so, the design is engineered to transform vertical pressure into a horizontal force, providing runners with a non-stop forward transition at every stride.
“4DFWD came to life when we tried out millions of different lattice structures that we were able to create,” said Charlotte Heidmann, Senior Product Manager at adidas Running. “But we didn’t want to only go into market with just a 3D printed midsole, which is great. We needed a performance benefit in order to tell the story and convince the consumer of this new technology and innovation,” she added.
The result? Forward motion with the help of the lattice structure.
“4DFWD motion relates back to the breaking force that is put on your heel while landing, so we were able to reduce the weight that actually comes on your foot once you land with the new lattice structure.”
The design breakthrough at the helm of the 4DFWD delivers a midsole with 23% more cushioning than previous 4D midsole generations, making the shoe game-changing and beneficial for runners.
“We see 4D and the complexity of fine-tuning that you can achieve with it is opening up so many doors in the industry,” said Iain Hannah, Senior Manager of Interactive Engineering at adidas INNOVATION. “We’re getting to the point now that we’re delivering things that we couldn’t with conventional foam materials, so we’re getting new properties and new performances.”
In the years to come, Hannah adds that the Three Stripes will make 4D tech into a mass-market offering.
And while the 4DFWD 2’s midsole design is the main emphasis, its upper, heel counter, and outsole updates are just as impressive.
The 4DFWD 2 features a PrimeKnit+ upper that pairs adidas’ signature PrimeKnit material with an engineered mesh for extra support as well as containing its signature elements of flexibility and breathability.
We’ve seen confident results that we’re reducing breaking forces, the jerk on the body, and providing a new running experience.
Iain Hannah, Senior Manager of Interactive Engineering at adidas INNOVATION
Additionally, the heel counter provides a locked-down fit for a more stable and powerful run.
“The heel counter was an important element because we received feedback that the full PrimeKnit+ upper was great with flexibility and breathability, but it didn’t give a lot of support throughout the run,” Heidmann said. “Once the heel feels secure, the whole shoe feels more supportive.”
Built for seasoned runners and even new beginners, the adidas 4DFWD 2’s goal is clear: give runners a new sensation to keep moving forward.
“We’ve done very extensive biomechanical studies and performance studies with our partners at the University of Calgary, and we’ve been able to make comparisons & see where the differences exist relative to an UltraBOOST,” Hannah said. “We’ve seen confident results that we’re reducing breaking forces, the jerk on the body, and providing a new running experience.”
The adidas 4DFWD 2 is available now on adidas.com and select retailers with a wider release on September 2. The shoe retails for $200.
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