Developed by analyzing athlete data, the Nike Flyprint marks a new age in sneaker technology. Information has been gathered and computed to solidify the optimal material composition. The shoe is one of Nike’s continued ventures in digitally enabled textile development, extending a legacy which includes Nike Hyperfuse, Flywire, and Flyknit.

Through the efficiency of 3D printing, Nike is now able to work faster with greater attention to detail, as prototyping is 16 times quicker than in any previous manufacturing method. Another benefit of 3D textiles over 2D fabrics is the heightened dynamism facilitated by the addition of ‘an interconnection beyond warp and weft.’ In a knit or a woven textile, there is a dgree of friction between the interlaced (warp and weft) fabric threads. However, in a 3D printed design, the fused intersections allow for more room for precision-tuned containment. The developed blend is also lighter and more breathable than previous Nike flagships.

Nike Flyprint upper have been developed with the world’s fastest distance runners in mind. Its first iteration came in the form of the Nike Zoom Vaporfly Elite Flyrprint, which was made for marathon champion Eluid Kipchoge following data and feedback gathered from the Berlin marathon last year. The rapid production process has allowed Nike to now release a shoe that is 11 grams lighter than the pair he used in that race. 

Take a look at some shots of the futuristic production process and the materials below: