Image via End Clothing

Bringing the futuristic tech to high fashion

The previous Y-3 4D Runner was originally seen on the runway at Paris Fashion Week past summer, Yohji Yamamoto‘s use of 4D printing was among the standouts from the show. This debut colorway uses a white Primeknit upper, black leather overlays on the heel and toe area, and an ash green 4D midsole constructed using digital light synthesis. Black cords wrap around the heel and form the Three Stripes branding on the lateral and medial sides of the shoe.

It’s all about the details – The previous version of Y-3 4D Runner left everyone in shook (via sneakernews)

A perfect combination of adidas’ innovation and Y-3’s unmistakable fashion aesthetic and progressive Japanese craftsmanship, this sneaker marks the first ever use of 4D technology in a non-performance context. In this Y-3 Runner 4D, adidas branding can be seen in a relatively unconventional way as it is represented by cords along the midfoot that lock the consumers feet in place for increased support. This is just one of many sneakers that will utilize the 4D sole, as adidas plans on featuring it in hundreds of thousands of pairs for consumers.

Cutting-edge tech meets avant-garde design

Once again using the Paris Fashion Week runway to debut new 4D-printed sneakers, Y-3‘s Spring/Summer 2019 show included a glimpse at its latest experimental design.

Built on a high performance midsole crafted with light and oxygen (via Y-3)

Following an initial launch this past spring, Y-3 is set to deliver an all-new iteration of its Runner 4D silhouette this week.

For Y-3’s usual fashion-forward audience, the runner features a Primeknit-constructed black upper, a resistant eyestay and unique designed 3-Stripes cording, the latter both visually appealing and functional in that it’s designed to lock the foot in place. The key component of the design, of course, is a 4D printed midsole, crafted with light and oxygen. Overall, the runner is a fusion of Japanese craftsmanship and modern innovation, packed into a lightweight, ultra-breathable silhouette.

Y-3 Runner 4D was almost instantly sold out on Y-3.com and the comment section is exploding. There is only 200 pairs in the world and the official website was crashed in the first day, obviously.

Only few people can have this masterpiece from Yohji Yamamoto

This is only the beginning of what we can expect from Adidas and their 3D-printing technology, too. Eventually the Three Stripes wants to roll this “4D” tech out to their roster of sneakers, molding custom soles and ensuring an optimal fit while also reducing waste. (The technique also turns out sneakers in record time, and with literal laser precision.) So if you’re looking for a sneaker with a sole built by science—and that looks equally at home on the Parisian runway as it would in outer space—take a good long look at the Y-3 Runner 4D.

Paving the way to the future of sneakers and footwear as a whole, the Y-3 Runner 4D Black White is a must cop shoe for your sneaker collection.