Cole Haan Partners with Pollypolymer to Launch 3D Printed Oxford Shoes Priced Over 2,000 CNY

In October 2024, Panda3dp.com learned that the premium footwear brand Cole Haan released a 3D printed Oxford shoe (casual leather shoe) priced at over 2,000 RMB. The shoe features a 3D printed midsole with a shock-absorption system, delivering exceptional comfort and seamlessly blending the boundaries between work and life.

Founded in Chicago in 1928, Cole Haan is a symbol of American fashion trends. As a globally renowned luxury footwear brand, Cole Haan’s Oxford shoes have always been best-selling and highly praised. The OriginalGrand series of Oxfords has successfully integrated the comfort elements of sneakers into leather shoes, merging performance with style, making them beloved by consumers.

"Leveraging cutting-edge 3D printing technology, the new OriginalGrand 2.0 Oxfords have crafted an innovative outsole with hundreds of biomimetic, parametrically designed lattice structures. This provides the foot with unparalleled spring-like comfort and stability, once again setting the standard for innovation in Oxford shoes. This is in keeping with Cole Haan’s tradition of classic craftsmanship and high-quality innovation," stated the product lead at Cole Haan.

3D Printed Cushioning System: SKYWEAVE

To enhance user experience, Cole Haan creatively adopted the 3D printed SKYWEAVE™ cushioning system, elevating the comfort and stability of their shoes to new heights.

Reportedly, the midsole of the OriginalGrand 2.0 Oxfords is produced by Pollypolymer(博理科技), a global leader in advanced polymer materials and smart manufacturing. The company utilized its ultra-fast 3D printing technology and high-performance elastomer materials to design and manufacture this elastic and comfortable 3D printed midsole.

Comfort is widely regarded as a fundamental and core requirement in the footwear industry. After two major evolutions from EVA to TPU, traditional single-foam structures can no longer deliver the complex, high-performance designs needed and are nearing their physical performance limits.

Through 3D printing, Cole Haan’s SKYWEAVE™ cushioning system enables the creation of multiple unique functional zones within the midsole, adjusting the mechanical properties of each zone individually to optimize the shoe’s overall cushioning. This results in a high-performance midsole that is vastly different from traditional designs.

Additionally, Cole Haan utilized the lattice structures of 3D printing to improve airflow and breathability, enhancing comfort by offering adjustable load-compression curves—an innovative application within the industry.

3D Printing Drives Product Innovation

Over a decade ago, Cole Haan introduced the first OriginalGrand Oxford, which perfectly blended performance with style, making it one of the brand’s most popular Oxfords.

Now, thanks to revolutionary 3D printing technology, this iconic shoe has undergone a brand transformation.

At Cole Haan’s 2024 Fall Collection launch in the U.S., the brand emphasized that the SKYWEAVE™ cushioning system represents not only a breakthrough in Oxford shoe manufacturing processes but also a reflection of Cole Haan’s commitment to innovation.

Industry insiders believe that the 3D printed cushioning system heralds a new era of product innovation. A pair of 3D printed leather shoes is no longer just a shoe with a leather exterior and the comfort of a sneaker; it truly bridges the gap between work and life, catering to the comfort needs of various scenarios.

According to market feedback, the new OriginalGrand 2.0 Oxford has been extremely popular. Despite its retail price of 275 euros (nearly 100 euros higher than the traditional version), the shoes have been selling out rapidly.

Panda3dp.com believes that 3D printing technology holds immense potential for product innovation in the footwear industry:

● Material Innovation: Using advanced high-performance materials to enhance comfort and durability.

● Lightweight Design: The shoe structure created by 3D printing technology significantly reduces weight, improving athletic performance.

● Performance Enhancement: Focused on improving cushioning, support, stability, and breathability to meet diverse consumer demands.

● Innovative Design: Combining fashion with functionality to meet consumers' pursuit of style and individuality.

● Customization: Offering personalized shoes tailored to the foot shape and needs of the individual.

● Sustainability: Using eco-friendly materials and processes to promote sustainability throughout the supply chain.

Looking ahead, 3D printed shoes promise even more innovative products with tremendous market potential in terms of material performance, design, and functionality.

Outlook and Future Prospects

As 3D printing technology continues to evolve, major footwear giants like Cole Haan are shifting their business strategies—adopting 3D printing as a revolutionary design and manufacturing concept that is poised to reshape the casual footwear market.

What impact will 3D printing have on the footwear industry? Panda3dp.com believes the influence can be seen in four main aspects:

1. Production: Traditional shoe manufacturing relies heavily on moulds, while 3D printing reduces this dependence, thereby lowering costs. The precision of layer-by-layer printing also minimizes material waste, making it more cost-effective compared to traditional cutting and assembly methods.

2. Product: 3D printed shoes are rapidly penetrating various areas of the footwear industry, with the rise of 3D printed smart factories enabling mass production to meet personalized flexible manufacturing demands. Commercial applications are swiftly emerging, such as slippers, running shoes, and skate shoes.

3. Supply Chain: 3D printing significantly shortens the shoemaking process. With digital design and manufacturing, material waste is drastically reduced, aligning with the sustainable development ethos. Additionally, 3D printing allows brands to respond quickly to market demands, reducing the time from design to launch and ensuring products stay on-trend.

4. Consumer Experience: 3D printing technology opens up new categories, creating fresh consumption scenarios and delivering an entirely new consumer experience.

Today, global footwear giants are all investing in 3D printing, and it has become a shared vision within the industry. Pollypolymer has already pioneered this field, showcasing notable examples of success. This progress is inextricably linked to years of technological investment and forward-thinking judgment.

In the long-term, brands betting on this track are signaling a key insight: The footwear industry is set to be the next major frontier for 3D printing applications!