Global fitness brand Reebok has applied its Liquid Factory innovation to an existing model for the first time.
The manufacturing process, which was unveiled a little under 18 months ago, has been developed by the Reebok Future team and uses state-of-the-art software and robotics to literally draw high-performance athletic shoes in three dimensions.
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It leverages 3D Drawing, where a proprietary liquid material, created especially for Reebok by BASF, is used to draw shoe componentry cleanly, precisely and in three-dimensional layers. This proprietary layering technique is used to create totally unique footwear without the use of traditional moulds.
Previously used to create the Liquid Speed, Liquid Factory has now been applied to the brand’s award-winning Floatride Run sneaker. Liquid Floatride Run is now 20% lighter than the original model and adds two new component features: liquid lace and liquid grip.
Liquid lace replaces conventional laces to create a stretch-to-fit slip-on. A thin liquid web is drawn by the Liquid Factory process that stretches across the top of the shoe in place of laces. The liquid lace turns the shoe into an easy-on, easy-off slip-on while still holding the foot in place.
While Liquid grip replaces the rubber outsole seen in typical footwear, with a liquid version drawn in stripes across the bottom of the shoe. A rubber outsole is the heaviest component of a shoe, so replacing it with liquid – only where needed – cuts the weight of the shoe dramatically, says Reebok.
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By GlobalDataAccording to the brand, shoe testers noticed that the liquid grip provides increased traction versus a typical shoe.
The Liquid Floatride Run incorporates the same proprietary Floatride cushioning midsole as the original Floatride Run, which was awarded Best Debut from Runner’s World in 2017.
“Last year we launched the Liquid Factory concept with the Liquid Speed shoe. It was definitely a striking silhouette, as we aimed to showcase the way that the 3D drawing process could change the way shoes are made,” says Bill McInnis, head of Reebok Future. “What we’re excited to highlight with Liquid Floatride is how we can apply the Liquid Factory process to any of our existing products, to make great shoes even better.”
And this is already underway, with Reebok also releasing images of additional conceptual footwear that utilises the Liquid Factory process to showcase the breadth and future potential of the technique.
“The next generation of Liquid Factory products will be even more innovative, as we can create the entire shoe using the Liquid Factory process – outsole, cushioning and upper fit systems – the whole shoe,” adds McInnis. “We are looking forward to bringing many more products to market that incorporate the ground-breaking Liquid Factory process.”
The limited-edition Liquid Floatride Run is available now at Reebok.com
Earlier this month, Reebok launched its first running shoe built with its latest footwear upper technology, which the company claims offers a single surface construction that is as strong as it is light.
Reebok launches first running shoe with Flexweave
