LightSpray: Running On Cloud 9

On Running, the Swiss newcomer to performance shoes, has developed a novel technique for creating lightweight footwear that they have dubbed LightSpray. The technique, as detailed by Global Triathlon Network, involves 3D printing thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) directly onto a high-impact sole. This creates not just a lace-less upper, but also a hybrid in-sole and sole with much less material, both unique features of the Cloudboom Strike LS. The efficiency reduces weight for the wearer and waste (up to 75%, according to On) – and the entire shoe could be deconstructed for recycling. While there are direct benefits for On Running in the current shoe manufacturing paradigm, the ability to print shoes in minutes could change the landscape, allowing for completely different distribution models in the very near future.