I Tried Running 10k in Custom 3D Printed Shoes

[@hellothere6627]

As someone with experience designing and printing my own running shoes with cumulative ~50 miles on them at the end of my high school cross country season here is some advice. First of all, amazing! Congrats, be proud! Warning this is long You mentioned the stiffness and decreasing the thickness and infill. Observe on normal running shoes and most normal shoes the top and side of the foot only has a super thin extremely flexible cloth covering it. The same can be done when printing, I only use 2 walls for the top and side. When prototyping the entire shoes including the sole has two walls, it is more than strong enough, and much more flexible. The infill for the sole does have a break in period, also the infill can degrade with time. Different infill patterns behave differently. Grid 13% printed flat has shown no degradation in my experience, while cubic has significantly degraded. Generally if the infill has an overhang angle it prints at it is subject to degradation which unfortunate is a lot of patterns, while patterns like grid with no overhangs perform better. IDK if it is layer splitting, or soft spots and reshaping that developes more easily with overhangs. Another way to adjust the feeling of the sole stiffness/flexibility other than infill is increasing layer quantity on top the sole where the foot rests, more effectively spreading out your weight over a larger area allowing the feel to be sturdy while walking and soft while running, and it helps preserve the infill. It does require being comfortable and knowledgeable with your slicer to customize print setting in specific areas. (I only have used cura) The slit at the tongue is very very important. A connected full geometry will cause a crease while running that painfully dig into the top of your foot, along with a crease point that tears the layers creating a hole that will spread. This slit separating the two haves eliminate that problem and improves flexibility. Observe how other fully printed shoes that claim to be useable with connected top geometry has thick fluffy tops or intricate geometry. This is forced by addressing this creasing problem but masked by ‘fashion’. The heel rubbing is tricky, solved through iterative designs, smooth surface, and a lack of reliance on it. The front and laces are mainly used to secure the foot during physical activity, and it works well. The rest of the time the shoes are more or less slip ons. With the heel having little contact. Overall socks will be worn out quicker all around the foot as TPU is more abrasive than cloth, even with smooth walls, prototypes have caused rubbing on top my foot than required some adjustment time to be comfortable with, but this is not necessary with improved design and flexibility. What was not mentioned in the video but I’m sure you’ve observed was the bad traction on many surfaces indoors. For a running shoes on pavement it’s fine, but not for a daily driver. My shoes basically have wide cleats, and is the only way I have found to achieve good traction on all surfaces for a daily use. It does not impact comfort, it does make the shoes loud and comply on hard floors. It’s amazing in grass but defiantly not replacing basketball shoes on the court. Slightly off topic don’t print climbing shoes, they don’t work and rubber that can be applied is expensive. I am looking into options for applying a rubber layer on the normal shoes because that is apparently possible. My shoes I have crazy high standards for, (basically being a perfect polished product that could be sold as real competition) I want them to be water proof and this issues has been my biggest challenge. I have tried changing geometry, print orientation, wall thickness ect, and have come to terms with buying a more flexible filament 4x more expensive. This experiment is currently underway. I cannot speak much to breathability, as I am designing for waterproofness, regardless these are not shoes for people with sweaty feet, and the biggest holdback on large company’s mass printing the shoes, so far breathability needs fiber/thread printing to basically print a plastic cloth which is prohibitively expensive and complex. I also recommend trying to make the sole a separate piece that is inserted into a shell of the rest of the shoe. This primarily is useful for better print orientation by printing the sole flat with grid infill. It also allows faster prototyping of individual pieces and different material options. Flexible on the outside, standard cheaper TPU as the sole. IDK if bamboo is big enough for a flat print, that was my primary reason for not buying one when I first began this. The shoes I ran the 50 miles in frequently developed holes as mentioned, but I could patch it using a soldering iron to melt it back into shape. A soldering iorn is useful for modifications and experimention before a new print. These shoes are by far the most comfortable I have ever worn, granted they are custom fitted to my foot, and unfortunately I had to ‘retire’ them from so many experiments and patches that has made the plastic more brittle I self taught and designed the shoe in Fusion using its Forms environment, and using measurements from my insole. I have not posted the file as I don’t want copycats and I might take this somewhere if I get the shoe fully working, but I am more than happy to share experience and advice. For people asking about orthotics, I have also successfully created one for my parent using their insole as reference. Standard 95A TPU, completed in under a week barely using half a roll. I would love the opportunity to develop orthotics, prosthetics, and shoes using 3D printing more professionally but I don’t know the right contacts, and I am busy with college.

[@feelincrispy7053]

You weren’t wrong that was long lol but a pretty solid read and good advice for sure

[@birdmananyweather1681]

This was an awesome comment

[@birdmananyweather1681]

Seriously awesome post, so re reading it i had a couple questions...first of all, do you have a place we can follow your journey as well? Okay so talking about flexibility and degredation of the infill, grid being the best. Have you tried increasing the infill line thickness with maybe even less than 13% infill? Also does adding slit holes in the design for maybe elastic straps be considered cheating? Just trying to help the heel/ankle rubbing blister problem. Cheers!

[@hellothere6627]

@@birdmananyweather1681 I unfortunately don’t have somewhere I post this stuff, and I don’t have the time or knowledge to document this properly. If that changes I will try to find this and let you know. I have tried a lower percentage infill with double walls, the issues is that the support is too spaced out and it you begin to feel pressing uncomfortably on the bottom of your foot. Ideally the infill is super dense and soft, but that adds time and material, hence reducing the infill as much as possible. There is no such thing as cheating, just design and function goals. I want my shoes to be waterproof so a slit couldn’t be accommodated. Cloth could be glued on afterwards, but I would like to keep post processing at a minimum. Again my shoes the rubbing issue is minor enough to not cause blisters with a short adaption period, but it very well might not be the case for everyone else, I will cross that bridge when I have a more complete product and have friends test it. The shoes in this video with the cuts in the back for flexibility could easily accommodate a cloth wrapped around it, and would serve to plug that hole from dust and pebbles.

[@KedarAsherBenjamin]

Would be happy to help out ! I design 3d printed shoes professionally.

[@KedarAsherBenjamin]

As someone who designs 3d printed shoes professionally, I have a lot of comments about your design and process Tpc or pebax is an ideal material to print with (they are expensive though), if there are not available then filaflex 95a foamy is a good filament When printing with a 0.4 nozzle, the upper should be printed with zigzag infill at approximately 45% and no walls. Laces need to be minimal, and the areas surrounding the lace holes as well as the regions that run from the sole to the lace holes need to be printed with 100% infill and 2 walls, these regions should be like striations on the side of the shoe. The sole should be printed with cubic infill at approximately 35%, and two walls. The outsole needs to be printed with a thin 2-3 mm sheet of 100% infill. A shank with similar characteristics to the outsole can be made, if possible this should be printed with a rigid material using a different extruder. The inside shape of your shoe needs to be iterated on several times using rigid prints to get the correct shape. Retopology tools in blender will help you.

[@KedarAsherBenjamin]

Regular 95a is not good. Filaflex 95a foamy starts at 95 but foams down to 85 ish.

[@KolMan2000]

I would highly suggest trying foaming TPU. It has additives that cause it to foam when heated above a certain temperature and allows it to be less dense while still filling the same space. It’s great for making hyper-flexible parts and could likely fix a lot of your issues. And because it’s still TPU it still has incredibly strong layer adhesion even when reduced to super low densities

[@birdmananyweather1681]

maybe you could add a ring pillow cushion bubble type thing to the ankle/heel portion. should be easily printable , maybe a tear shaped that is revolved around the foothole. kinda like sonics shoes. awesome video!!

[@3DPrintStuff]

Good ideas. The ankle/heel portion could definitely benefit from a few more iterations.

[@birdmananyweather1681]

@@3DPrintStuff also the venting idea on the heels would work for the sides of the shoes too. Tpu is strong and the top part doesnt need to be as strong as the bottoms, more flexi and saves some filament

[@KolMan2000]

The unholy trinity of problem spots I run into on shoes are ankle rub, arch support, and toe width. Either I get crazy blisters on my ankle, a ton of strain on my arch, or my toes get jammed into the front of the shoe, which usually means I often have to go a size up but then it’s too big. I know I’d definitely benefit from getting nicer shoes but I’m too broke for nice things

[@jbraMoVal]

Awesome... Looks awesome. I will definitely buy those shoes. I was working on some sandals for my kids but life got in the way. You inspire me too get back on the Project.

[@3DPrintStuff]

Sandals are definitely achievable. Glad I could inspire you to take another shot at designing/printing them.

[@hippycobbler4092]

OMG its ! ......... good job ! nice 3d printing. i just finished my 1st 3d printed unit. CC research footwear making a bit more, all them problems r ease fixed, most of them r problems with how you applied your mesherments & scans to the shoe.

[@erycktackitt6771]

Maybe there is a way to add a cow lick to the shoes. My Altras roll back in the heels to softer for the heels on the strike down. Maybe finding a way for them to curl back and curve could help with the heel.

[@LWJCarroll]

Ref arches: stand on a box of damp sand the then scan footprint and get correct info? Laurie. NZ. 😊

[@3DPrintStuff]

Yeah I knew that my foot scan was going to be flawed based on not having any weight on my foot during the scan so it will be a different shape. Room for improvement on the next one.

[@Heisen0102]

love this! would love to see more videos of print projects etc, as im new in the world of 3D printing and love these types of videos

[@3DPrintStuff]

Glad you liked it. I have many more ideas for 3D printing projects so stay tuned.

[@kenniesdead]

could you try taking an imprint of your feet in a firm material like "impression foam" (biofoam or any no name or even floral arrangement foam) so you can get a better idea of the shape of your feet while you have you weight on them

[@3DPrintStuff]

Yeah this would have been the better way to get an impression of the bottom of my foot.

[@jakelin8333]

This is definitely a nice video about how to use printer making shoes from the beginning. I'm kind of curious that how big is the shoe? I saw the maximum of the size on the printer is 25.6 x 25.6 x 25.6. It's a little bit small to let the foot in.

[@jon_raymond]

This was such a cool project. Thanks for being us along for the journey!

[@3DPrintStuff]

Thank you for tagging along.

[@Spessforce]

I think a 3 piece design with a separate shell, TPU sole, and TPU tongue would be a good improvement.

[@ProtonOne11]

I probably would not want to print my running shoes or work shoes, but for people with special requirements that have some medical condition or health issues, i see a future for affordable custom made to measure shoes. Doing some multi material experiments would be interesting too, maybe try to mix in a softer TPU for cushioning or flex zones. Never dug very deep into more advanced slicer control either, but maybe splitting the shoe model into several parts or components, so you can apply different wall and infill-settings for specific parts might give some interesting results, if thats possible.

[@3DPrintStuff]

I bought a roll of TPU85A which was going to be my next iteration on the upper if I didn't succeed in running the 10k on that last set of shoes. I think there are tons of opportunities for multi-material and different infill settings to improve on this design.

[@yo_boii_danny9696]

What all is used to scan ?

[@chumooskie5527]

I've been wanting to 3d print a shoe for a while but could never get the foot shape close. PLEASE share the stl so i can have a working base design!

[@bozthescrewup410]

Foaming tpu? You’d have to print them flat in the plate I guess but you could make them denser in the soles and the tops could be lighter and more flexible than the tpu at the lower infill. I really want to try shoes!

[@3DPrintStuff]

Didn't know they made foaming TPU. That would definitely be worth exploring.

[@bozthescrewup410]

@@3DPrintStuff pretty sure cnckitchen has a video on it…? I think that’s who it was lol

[@3DPrintStuff]

@@bozthescrewup410 Really like his stuff but haven't seen that one. I'll have to go check it out.

[@CrudelyMade]

I had a problem with teva sandals where the seam was on the back of the heel and would rub me wrong. Keen sandals solved that by having a strap around the heel instead of aso being attached to the sole behind the heel. this allowed the strap to move with my foot without rubbing as my foot moved in the sandal. huge difference for me. so... you could try something like that.. or consider the amount of padding some shoes have around the back of the heel just for this reason. the strap worked for me though. nice video! looking forward to seeing more! :-D

[@SilvanPierce]

any chance you will release the STL? i have been wanting to print a shoe for so long, but cannot find ant files, and no chance ill ever get a scanner haha.

[@apoco_lips9957]

I would like to see someone make a hybrid shoe, maybe like a normalish shoe with replaceable soles that way the shoes could last a lot longer and be comfortable

[@3DPrintStuff]

That would be pretty cool. You see this on high quality boots where you can resole the boot. The only replaceable parts on a sneaker are the insole and the laces...

[@timtuckercom]

​@@3DPrintStuffif you found an existing shoe with a comfortable upper, in theory you could create an overlay that attached.

[@TheOfficialOriginalChad]

The possibilities for VR foot content are endless

[@3DPrintStuff]

The possibilities truly are endless. I’m sure someone is already capitalizing on that opportunity.

[@josephjones4293]

My left and right arches are very different due to years of nursing an torn meniscus. So my running shoes either hurt my right foot or my left foot and never work for both. But I have a p1s and a revopoint mini, so maybe the end is near

[@3DPrintStuff]

That's a great application for this type of technology. My feet are relatively the same so I just mirrored it but having the capability to customize from one foot to the other is a huge advantage for 3D printing.

[@trailwhim]

Terrific. What a great idea and congratulations.

[@BuzzingGoober]

So what would you do to improve the heel next, since you were still getting blisters?

[@3DPrintStuff]

Thinner walls, go from 95A to 85A material, potentially print in multiple parts so that I can print a thin "weave" or "mesh" upper.

[@rando5673]

Clearly, a mesh upper would be superior. Print it in two parts: 95A bottom half and something softer for the upper. Also doesn't need to be solid, it can be a lattice upper

[@Chefcooken]

Agree with the idea to look into printing parts separately. Shoes (especially running) typically have an upper (fabric), midsole (cushioning) and outsole (traction). Making the upper as a flat 3D print (print flat, then fold/bend/wrap/etc) that is then connected to the outsole would give a lot of flexibility in printing, and in comfort. You’d have to do multiple parts, but it would go a long way to reducing the need for a second sock to prevent blisters. The multiple parts would also allow for infills that are more appropriate to the function of each section. Honestly, if I was doing this, I’d start by using an existing outsole like a vibram replacement for a shoe, and focus on 3D printing the midsole for functionality, then cobble together whatever for the upper. When the midsole starts to feel good, then look into making your own outsole to go with it. Good luck, I’ll be back to see how future iterations go.

[@3DPrintStuff]

@rando5673 For this iteration I wanted to print everything as a single piece and finding an orientation/supports to handle a mesh or lattice upper would be a nightmare. Definitely a thought I had to print the upper in a different material and style.

[@3DPrintStuff]

@Chefcooken This is a good strategy. The midsole did feel good even at 15% infill so it really is just a matter of dialing in a design and technique for the upper. Using replacement outsoles is smart but I really wanted the entire project (minus the laces and extra sock) to be 3D printed.

[@sirmonkey1985]

very cool and was interesting seeing the changes you made to make them work.

[@3DPrintStuff]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the comment.

[@soccerstar1276]

Great video! I think the different colour shoes definitely added some horse power lol

[@vegaplus420]

3D PRINTED cycling shoes could be the future

[@3DPrintStuff]

yeah that would be a great application. Stiffer construction on those. I know competitive cyclist already get molds of their feet done for custom shoes so that they can get a few more watts out of themselves.

[@ee72sp]

This is awesome but you need to make the shape of the top of the heel like a running shoe not a dress shoe. Look at the shape of the heels of your existing sneakers, they aren't straight across the top, it's usually like an 'M' with two soft peaks to spread force and a dip in the middle so it doesn't cut into your achillies.

[@3DPrintStuff]

Definitely some improvements to be made.

[@avibank]

Been waiting years for this. 3D printed orthotics next.

[@3DPrintStuff]

When talking to one of our 3D printing vendors he said that doctors are already taking scans/impressions of feet and then sending him the final 3D orthotic file to be printed in nylon. I think there's tons of custom applications for scanning the body and printing perfectly fitting sports equipment and everyday items.

[@mitchellsteindler]

I didn't see your prior videos, but if you're scanning the bottom of your foot without compressing your foot, obviously it's going to measure your arch as taller than it is when you're standing.

[@3DPrintStuff]

I knew this was going to be a flaw but I didn't have anything to take an impression of my foot while standing.

[@mitchellsteindler]

@@3DPrintStuff i looks like you already had a decent model of the "bottom" from the top scan. It captured your reduced arch and your heel shape, and then everything else is basically flat.

[@nicoful86]

I feel like these shoes should be used for front foot running

[@JinKee]

You gotta send these to Rose Anvil for him to cut in half on youtube

[@3DPrintStuff]

I really enjoy that channel. I doubt he would want these haha. Plus it's a pretty boring cross section.

[@JinKee]

@@3DPrintStuff one day these will be the only shoes available to the working man

[@iRunfastXC]

Those companies can prototype every day without the added cost of 3d printing.

[@3DPrintStuff]

Yes they can design and simulate the entire shoe in CAD but there's something to be said about having a physical model that you can interact with.

[@iRunfastXC]

@@3DPrintStuff I’m talking about physical prototypes. They’ll even do multiple in a day for specific athletes.

[@My3DPrints-ve8zl]

lmbo!!!! 😂🤣 you ever watch the movie the Man with one Red Shoe lol LOVE IT!!!

[@3DPrintStuff]

Can't say that I have. I'll have to look it up.

[@degreeless_engineering]

I've been wanting to do something like this, but insoles.

[@3DPrintStuff]

Custom insoles are definitely a great application for this. Don't have to worry about the overall construction of the shoe but get the benefit of a custom fit insole.

[@ianault8599]

FLINT LOCKWOOD

[@SneakyJoeRu]

Ok, so I don't need to do it myself then. Good :-) Thanks for the vid.

[@NIKOSPORTSreal]

Cool!

[@3DPrintStuff]

Thanks!

[@rando5673]

You'd get a much better 3D scan if you made a cast of your foot with plaster first and scanned that

[@3DPrintStuff]

You're not wrong, but I don't want to go through the effort of casting my foot before scanning it.

[@andrewwhite1576]

Did you see Bambu just released a ai 3d modeler for free. Just need a 360° video of the object.

[@3DPrintStuff]

I briefly read about that tool being released but haven't had a chance to play with it. Have you used it?

[@freedomofmotion]

I'm going to 3d print a replacement sole for mt crocs now 😂

[@3DPrintStuff]

Might be cheaper to just buy new crocs, TPUs not cheap. But don't let me stop you, go for it! haha. Gonna need to find some good glue to hold them together.

[@freedomofmotion]

@@3DPrintStuff I've got two rolls of it and get it for £10 a kilo so a lot cheaper than new crocs 😀 Will only need 50-100 g per sole. It's the perfect croc based plan.

[@3DPrintStuff]

@@freedomofmotion That's a steal. Good for you, that's definitely cheaper than new crocs. Full steam ahead haha.

[@WeBe3Dprinting]

They still look better than those yeezys or whatever they were called.

[@3DPrintStuff]

The foam ones? haha thanks.

[@alicemasters2539]

goddamn people will do anything but just 3d model a nice shoe.

[@3DPrintStuff]

Definitely a skills gap between me and "a nice shoe."

[@Bornheimarne]

Respect 😊 great video !

[@3DPrintStuff]

Thanks!

[@dibrockly]

Love it way to go

[@3DPrintStuff]

Thanks!

[@NutzinHutz3D]

Really interesting

[@stefanguiton]

Great Video!

[@3DPrintStuff]

Thanks!

[@AHoboWithAStick]

start selling 3D scans of feet for money on only feet 😂 could b big sauce

[@3DPrintStuff]

... you might be on to something...

[@AHoboWithAStick]

damn bruv your comments be poppin out here 🎉

[@lorenzobrogi6359]

Just order a pair from zellerfeld

[@darkashes9953]

try ninja flex on matter hackers .

[@evamonkeyN2]

I have watched videos from a few different people on this topic now, and am consistently confused by the approach of one piece one material printing. actual running shoes use different materials with different properties suited to each role they play in the shoe overall, in many cases combined using flexible glues. making the heel out of material with the same properties as the sole makes no sense to me.

[@3DPrintStuff]

@@evamonkeyN2 honestly just easier to print it all at once in one material. You’re right that the better way would be to use multiple different materials

[@GamesPlayer1337]

10k what? The k just stands for 1000. So you are saying you try to run 10 000. If you want to say kilometers the meters after the k is important. Thats the unit you are using.

[@3DPrintStuff]

Very common in running for races to be 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/10K_run#:~:text=The%2010K%20run%20is%20a,longer%20half%20marathon%20and%20marathon.

[@bigj-yn3tf]

What does your podiatrist say?

[@3DPrintStuff]

Not much

[@saintawful7127]

Pcbway does a very poor job of 3d printing to spec.

[@neon_Nomad]

You wouldnt pirate a shoe..

[@3DPrintStuff]

I would download a car...

[@PaguroGhiliottino]

you what to be nike engeneer with a fdm 3d printer? every single peace on nike shoe is a single project! a nike shoe need more than 100 pcs and alot manufacting to give to you the most confortable shoe! the engenering of nike dont need to scan your foot to fit perfect on your foot! this because evrey single peace on your nike are studied to give you confort not just a shoe! your work is great on 3d printing !but you don´t know how to do shoes!

[@LWJCarroll]

The Creality channel video on their new Shanghai shop has a few slip on shoes in it…fyi….Laurie. NZ.