Footwear technology firm Syntilay has created a 3D-printed lattice structured “underfoot” for its new PulsePodz slide.
The tech firm said the nine individually engineered pods represents the “world’s first 360-degree, four-way air-cushioning system” in footwear.
In an interview with Syntilay founder Ben Weiss, each underfoot pod was generated using AI based on different presets to reflect how much pressure is on the foot “at each point of motion.” That means there’s less cushioning at the ball of the foot, but considerably more so at the heel. And those presets are adjusted automatically by shoe size.
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PulsePodz was developed as a recovery slide to support the foot during post-activity use. The company said its technology expands beyond the dual-direction designs used in existing footwear such as by the Nike and On Running brands.
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The shoe, which is patent-pending, has an MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price) of $149, although they are currently discounted for pre-order at $111 at syntilay.com. The SLA 3D-printed slides — available in a variety of colors — are made in China, Weiss said.
Weiss said there are plans to roll out a closed shoe, and perhaps even a sneaker version, later this year. He said his firm is able to print about 1.5 million pairs annually, but could ramp up as more 3D printers become available. The PulsePodz line for men and women is essentially pre-made to certain specs, and is different from a separate line of footwear that are custom-made from an individual’s special 3D scan of their feet that allows for shoes made to the differences specific to each foot.
Syntilay’s original custom-made shoe also features 3D printing to create the complex internal geometries that allow for its proprietary multi-directional airflow. Advisors to Syntilay include Reebok founder Joe Foster and Shark Tank’s original investor Kevin Harrington. Warschawski/W Ventures is one of the firm’s investors. Warschawski CEO David Warschawski told Footwear news that basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal order 30 pairs of the Syntilay’s original custom shoes, which have an MSRP of $200 per pair.
“True breakthroughs in footwear don’t happen often. PulsePodz represents a fundamental shift, not just an iteration. This is the kind of innovation that moves the entire category forward and redefines what consumers will expect from cushioning and recovery,” said Syntilay advisor Joe Foster.
As more consumers partake in outdoor activities such as hiking and running as part of the wellness routines, there’s been a greater focus on recovery footwear.
Kane Footwear last year hired Mark Tarnuzzer as its chief marketing officer, with an eye on growing its direct-to-consumer (DTC) revenue. And Nike’s latest entry to the recovery shoe category is a slide featuring nearly two dozen cushioning pods underfoot. Nike’s Mind 001 recovery slides are slated to arrive at retail early this year.