adidas 4D is the brand's 3D-printed lattice midsole technology, developed through a 2015 partnership with Silicon Valley tech company Carbon. The technology uses Carbon's Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) 3D printing process — previously used for industrial applications — to produce midsoles with precise, tunable lattice structures impossible to achieve with traditional foam manufacturing.
The partnership with Carbon
Carbon is a Silicon Valley-based additive manufacturing company founded by Joseph DeSimone. Their DLS 3D printing technology uses UV light to cure photosensitive resin, producing parts with fine-grain detail and precise mechanical properties. adidas is Carbon's largest footwear customer and the partnership represents the largest-scale commercial 3D-printed product line to date.
4D silhouettes timeline
- Futurecraft 4D (2017) — the inaugural 4D silhouette, extremely limited release
- Alphaedge 4D (2018) — first widely-available 4D model
- Alphaedge 4D LTD — limited reissues
- Prada × Luna Rossa 4D (2019) — Prada collaboration
- 4D Fusio — more affordable 4D midsole integration
- Futurecraft 4D FWD — forward-lean midsole geometry
- Terrex Four / Free Hiker 4D — outdoor-adjacent 4D
- Ultraboost 4D Pro — combining Boost with 4D
- Yeezy 4D — Kanye West's Yeezy × 4D collaboration
- Raf Simons × Ozweego 4D — designer collaboration
- 4DFWD Pulse (2023) — marathon-pace running specification
The lattice science
Each 4D midsole consists of a lattice structure engineered to deliver specific responsiveness in different zones of the shoe:
- Forefoot lattice — tuned for propulsion and flex
- Midfoot lattice — tuned for stability and support
- Heel lattice — tuned for impact absorption
adidas has claimed the 4D midsole offers 30% more responsiveness than traditional EVA foam in laboratory testing.
Current status
4D remains a premium sub-line within adidas, with limited seasonal releases. The technology has faced commercial challenges — 3D printing at scale remains expensive, limiting widespread adoption. Retail for 4D-equipped silhouettes typically sits at $250-$350, making them premium-tier purchases.