I wasn’t expecting to find futuristic footwear at a nerdy electronics show. So, when I saw Fitasy’s booth at CES, I did a double-take. The brand was debuting eye-catching, monochrome recovery kicks called the Stride, which featured some fancy technology I hadn’t seen before.
To make them, Fitasy takes a custom scan of your feet and prints shoes tailored to your foot’s dimensions. Cinderella would be envious of the fit.
Naturally, I had to try these things on. And I’m not gonna lie, they impressed me.
What Makes the Fitasy Stride 3D-Printed Recovery Shoes Unique
These mesh-like, rubbery shoes are made from a single, recyclable piece of material — even the midsole and tread. After you order these custom, printed-on-demand shoes, you receive an invitation to scan your feet with your phone. Once processed, the shoes take only a couple of hours to fully fabricate, and then several days to ship (once they become officially available).
Of course, the best part is that the intricately latticed construction is personalized to fit the contours of your specific feet. But a nice side benefit is that making them in this way minimizes any waste materials inherent in the footwear production process. And when you do eventually wear them out and it’s time to retire these shoes, you can send them back to be ground down and upcycled into running tracks and more.
How They Felt
I assumed that the Fitasy Stride would feel flimsy and plasticky. But I was wrong. When I slipped my feet in, the shoes balanced between flexible and somewhat sturdy. That is to say, they held their shape, yet were forgiving, and actually felt cushier than I expected.
Granted, I had socks on. And I was strolling around on a plushly carpeted hotel ballroom, as opposed to some hard pavement or a craggy trail. But based on my little walk-about — and knowing how they’re completely 3D-printed with just one material — they did a decent job of supporting my feet and absorbing the impact on my soles. They’re also waterproof and appear to be easy to clean with a quick rinse.
Note: I was trying the generic Stride, not a version customized to my foot.
What They Are(n’t) For
These minimalist sneakers combine the carefree nature of flip-flops with the comfort of slip-ons and the versatility of sandals. Based on how light and breathable they are, I could see reaching for them after a workout, using them as crag slippers, packing them for travel, sporting them on leisurely strolls in warm weather, or even just ambling around inside the home or office with them on.
They don’t seem as durable as Crocs or Kanes. I certainly wouldn’t take them on any kind of run, a long hike, or biking. But they’d probably be fine for logging some steps or splashing around in the water.
Ultimately, what makes these shoes great is their simplicity, personalization, and adaptability.
Currently on Fitasy.com, you can order standard-sized versions of the Stride in either black or white for $180. For the custom-fit version, you can join the waitlist for free. Or if you put down $10 now and fork over $200 later, you can preorder your very own custom pair, with shipments expected this spring.
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