{"id":11744,"date":"2026-07-20T17:47:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T12:47:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=11744"},"modified":"2026-07-20T17:47:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T12:47:17","slug":"custom-3d-printed-shoes-promise-a-perfect-fit-do-they-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=11744","title":{"rendered":"Custom 3D-printed shoes promise a perfect fit \u2014 do they work?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content%2Fuploads%2Fsites%2F2%2F2026%2F07%2Fnewspress-collage-0w1i8afde-1784122894440.jpg?quality%3D90%26strip%3Dall%261784108641\" \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>As the wellness world races toward hyperpersonalization, the latest frontier is landing at your feet.<\/p>\n<p>A new wave of footwear companies is using artificial intelligence and 3D printing to create shoes tailored to each customer\u2019s unique foot shape \u2014 promising a level of comfort, support and performance that traditional mass-produced sneakers can\u2019t match.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe era of one-size-fits-most is coming to an end,\u201d Jennie Chen, chief operating officer and cofounder of FitX, which makes custom-made running shoes, told The Post.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>A growing number of companies are selling 3D printed, AI designed shoes, including Florida-based Syntilay. <span class=\"credit\">Syntilay<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In some ways, the footwear industry is returning to its roots.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor most of human history, shoes were custom-made. It was only recently, in the 1800s, that shoes came in standardized sizing,\u201d said Ben Weiss, founder of Syntilay, which leverages AI and 3D printing to create highly personalized shoes and slides.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>While 3D printing had a moment in the 2010s, the technology never fully took off in consumer footwear, hindered by high costs, material limitations, slow manufacturing and complaints about comfort.<\/p>\n<p>But advances in AI are helping companies overcome those hurdles by optimizing designs, speeding up production and reducing waste \u2014 while also making customized footwear more affordable.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/syntilay.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Syntilay<\/a>\u2019s AI-designed, 3D-printed footwear starts at $119. At <a href=\"https:\/\/fitxlab.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FitX<\/a>, consumers can snag a pair of custom kicks for the \u201cfounding runner\u201d price of $199.<\/p>\n<p>Other players are pushing prices even lower: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zellerfeld.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-nyp-affiliate=\"true\">Zellerfeld<\/a>, which manufactures 3D-printed footwear from independent creators and major brands, offers styles starting at $79.<\/p>\n<p>At <a href=\"https:\/\/redirect.viglink.com?key=e5866f4e3b08a8d675dae34779c12e98&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Ffitasy.com%2F&amp;cuid=NYPost-Content-Textlink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-nyp-affiliate=\"true\">Fitasy<\/a>, precision-fit footwear costs $260 \u2014 still well below some premium standard-fit offerings from industry giants like Nike and Adidas.<\/p>\n<p>The best part? For all these companies, you don\u2019t need to visit a specialty store to get fitted. All you need is a smartphone camera and about 10 minutes.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Fitasy debuted its 3D printed, customized shoes in March, dubbing them the \u201cStride 2.0.\u201d <span class=\"credit\">Tamara Beckwith\/NY Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cTraditionally, getting custom shoes meant visiting a specialized clinic, enduring plaster casting and waiting months for a product that was really expensive,\u201d said Yujun Wang, CEO and cofounder of Fitasy. \u201cNow, anyone can do this by using just their smartphone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Wang expects the market for customized shoes to expand beyond elite athletes and people with orthopedic needs toward a broader group of consumers focused on health, wellness and performance.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignright\">\n\t<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cBy printing a shoe around your exact foot morphology, you are actively addressing the constant, daily micro-stress that ill-fitting shoes can put on your joints,\u201d Wang said. \u201cFor anyone in the wellness community, it\u2019s an opportunity to bag those small wins in their daily lives.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After all, he added: \u201cIf you are <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/02\/24\/health\/your-wearable-data-may-actually-be-making-your-sleep-worse\/\">tracking your sleep<\/a>, optimizing your nutrition and doing <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/01\/04\/health\/zone-0-exercise-is-the-fitness-trend-that-doesnt-feel-like-exercise\/\">heart-rate zonal workouts<\/a> \u2014 but ignoring your footwear \u2014 you can easily undermine the rest of your efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Like many people, I\u2019ve spent years buying shoes based on a number on a box and hoping they would work. I\u2019ve bought pairs that looked great but left my feet aching after a long day, only to eventually retire them because my high arches and wide feet made them <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/06\/02\/lifestyle\/americans-waste-hundreds-on-shoes-theyll-never-wear-again-survey\/\">impossible to wear comfortably<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption>Zellerfeld manufactures 3D-printed footwear from independent creators and major brands. <span class=\"credit\">Zellerfeld<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption>It means they have lots of different styles, which start at $79 a pair. <span class=\"credit\">Zellerfeld<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>I wanted to see whether AI-designed footwear could actually solve a problem many of us have simply learned to tolerate. So I went through Fitasy\u2019s process to get a pair of custom, 3D-printed shoes.<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what the experience was like \u2014 and whether this futuristic footwear really delivers on its promise.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why one size doesn\u2019t fit all<\/h2>\n<p>Launched earlier this year, Fitasy\u2019s Stride 2.0 sneakers look like the love child of nurses\u2019 shoes and Yeezy foam runners.<\/p>\n<p>To order a pair, I downloaded the company\u2019s app, got barefoot and scanned my feet with my iPhone camera, rotating through several angles as the software mapped their contours. Within minutes, Fitasy\u2019s AI had created a digital model that captured my exact measurements.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption>The Stride 2.0 is made with a rubber-like material that is durable and flexible. <span class=\"credit\">Tamara Beckwith\/NY Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption>In addition to white, the shoes also come in black, ember and limited edition \u201caquadive.\u201d <span class=\"credit\">Tamara Beckwith\/NY Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Tailoring each shoe to the individual foot is important, Wang said, because very few people have perfectly matching left and right feet.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSome of us may not notice it, but many of us \u2014 like me \u2014 will feel that difference the second I put shoes on,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote\">\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cFoot and ankle pain may not be life threatening \u2014 but it certainly is lifestyle threatening.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><cite>Dr. Rock Positano<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p>The consequences can extend beyond everyday discomfort.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShoes that don\u2019t fit correctly may cause a variety of problems, such as tendonitis, blisters, ankle swelling and knee, hip and lower back pain,\u201d explained <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hss.edu\/profiles\/doctors\/rock-positano\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dr. Rock Positano<\/a>, a podiatrist and co-founder of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hss.edu\/departments\/non-surgical-foot-ankle-service\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Non-Surgical Foot and Ankle Center<\/a> at the Hospital for Special Surgery.<\/p>\n<p>That doesn\u2019t mean everyone needs custom shoes. Many people can wear traditional footwear comfortably, he said, as long as it fits properly, provides heel support and leaves enough room for the toes.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>sing a smartphone camera, Fitasy\u2019s AI creates a digital model of your feet. <span class=\"credit\">Fitasy<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>But for people whose feet fall outside the typical mold \u2014 whether because of unusual width, high arches, flat feet, structural deformities or asymmetry \u2014 personalized shoes can make a real difference. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cCustomized footwear, with the right input from a specialized professional, is always beneficial to the person wearing it,\u201d Positano said.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Putting the promise to the test<\/h2>\n<p>About a month after completing my scan, my shoes arrived \u2014 complete with my initials printed on them, a reminder that this was no ordinary sneaker.<\/p>\n<p>Feeling bold, I wore the Stride 2.0s straight out of the box to a <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/06\/05\/health\/inside-the-worlds-largest-biohacking-conference-where-science-fiction-meets-maha\/\">three-day biohacking conference<\/a>, where I logged more than 20,000 steps each day.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>The Stride 2.0 is highly personalized, matching the exact contours of every customer\u2019s feet.  <span class=\"credit\">Tamara Beckwith\/NY Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>To my surprise, I made it through the event without a single blister, and my feet felt noticeably less sore than they typically do after a full day of walking.<\/p>\n<p>With some new shoes, I\u2019m constantly aware of pressure points or places where the material rubs or pinches. With Fitasy\u2019s, though, I mostly forgot I was wearing a pair of experimental sneakers \u2014 until someone inevitably asked me what they were.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignright\">\n\t<\/aside>\n<p>Their unusual lattice structure certainly caught my attention when I opened the box. Unlike traditional sneakers made with layers of foam and fabric, the open design allows air to move freely around your feet.<\/p>\n<p>That ventilation addresses one common issue Positano sees in modern footwear.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOften, the materials used to make shoes do not permit adequate breathability and can cause excessive perspiration in the foot, causing uncomfortable swelling and skin inflammation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Over the last three months, I\u2019ve put my sneaks through nearly every test I could think of: sprinting to catch the subway, logging miles on the treadmill, standing through long concerts and even splashing through streams on hikes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption>Fitasy also sells its shoes in standard sizing.  <span class=\"credit\">Tamara Beckwith\/NY Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption>After three months of wear, the Stride 2.0 has held up well.  <span class=\"credit\">Tamara Beckwith\/NY Post<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>They\u2019ve handled it all, with each step feeling cushioned and bouncy \u2014 almost like I was wearing the grown-up version of Moon Shoes. <\/p>\n<p>The shoes have also held up remarkably well, showing barely any signs of wear. And because they\u2019re made without fabric, they\u2019re surprisingly easy to clean \u2014 a welcome change from the pricey white sneakers I\u2019ve bought in the past that quickly became magnets for dirt and stains.<\/p>\n<p>The biggest adjustment was aesthetic. The Stride 2.0s have a futuristic look that turns heads, but they\u2019re not quite the type of sneaker I\u2019d reach for when putting together a more polished outfit or street-style look.<\/p>\n<p>Whether AI-designed shoes become the next big thing or remain a niche option remains to be seen. But after months of wearing mine, it was hard not to question the idea that millions of people should all be squeezing into the same standardized shapes.<\/p>\n<p>As consumers increasingly look for ways to invest in preventative health, the fast-growing market suggests customized footwear could soon become another piece of that puzzle.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople often neglect the importance of their feet until they develop a problem,\u201d Positano said. \u201cFoot and ankle pain may not be life threatening \u2014 but it certainly is lifestyle threatening.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the wellness world races toward hyperpersonalization, the latest frontier is landing at your feet. A new wave of footwear companies is using artificial intelligence and 3D printing to create shoes tailored to each customer\u2019s unique foot shape \u2014 promising a level of comfort, support and performance that traditional mass-produced sneakers can\u2019t match. \u201cThe era&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11745,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/newspress-collage-0w1i8afde-1784122894440.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&1784108641&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11744","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11744"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11744\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/11745"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}