adidas Climacool Review: The 3D-printed Shoe You Can Actually Buy

Sneakers run in my bloodstream, but I didn’t realise we were quite so close to the reality of 3D-printed shoes. I’m old enough to remember when Nike released the VaporFly Elite Flyprint with a fabric material that claimed to be the “first 3D-printed textile upper in performance footwear.” However, that shoe didn’t look like a 3D-printed shoe, and it never caught on. More recently, the Swoosh teased the Air Max 1000, a shoe almost entirely made from a 3D-printed material, but wider availability was limited to 1,000 pairs. It seemed these shoes were far from reality, especially to the mainstream.

You’ve been able to buy 3D-printed shoes from brands like Zellerfeld, a Berlin-based company that has been making Nike’s shoes for years, but to be able to walk into a shop and purchase them from a mainstream brand is different.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, adidas released the Climacool (AUD$260) on the 2nd of May, 2025. On the surface, it looks like the shoe we’ve all been waiting for, a real 3D-printed shoe that you can put on your feet and wear around. However, I wanted to find out if it’s all it’s cracked up to be by trying them out for a full review. How comfortable are they? Can you run in them? What are they used for? I’ll answer all of these questions in my review below.

Design and Aesthetics

• Product colour: Off White / Off White / Off White
• Product code: JQ8739

The adidas Climacool is a 3D-printed shoe made using a method similar to the brand’s 4DFWD lattice technology. Made by 3D printing company Carbon, we’ve seen a similar midsole design used for the brand’s 4DFWD 4 running shoes, but it takes on a new lease of life here with the Climacool—designed for recovery, walking and lifestyle wear, not performance running.

It’s a 3D-printed shoe, so it needed to have a futuristic look. While I understand that the visually porous, lattice design might not work for everyone, the designers have achieved a unique look while staying very adidas.

Truthfully, I can see a scenario where this shoe was planned out as the future of adidas YEEZY, before Ye became mentally unhinged. It has a sleek, sculptural silhouette with an aerodynamic look that is very Yeezy Boost 350 V2. It also bridges that gap between Ultra Boost and technical silhouettes like the NMD_S1 and Retropy E5.

Like the Yeezy, you won’t be able to wear these to the office with a suit, but they’re perfect for weekends and casual outings. You’ll have to remember that the lattice-like design makes them breathable but also entirely see-through, meaning whatever socks you choose to wear will be visible to everyone. Similarly, they’re not great to wear in wet weather, so you’ll have to put them on ice until blue sky days.

I recommend wearing them with pants and trousers, but you could pull off a pair of shorts if you’re planning an athletic outfit. It’s your choice whether or not you want the pant leg to break above or below the shoe, but I certainly wouldn’t wear them with denim jeans. Chino, suit, and any straight-leg pants are a safe bet.

Fit

I’m a true-to-size US10.5, but I often flip between US10 and US11 depending on the brand I’m wearing. Previously, I sized down in adidas shoes, but they’ve since made some changes, and I’m back to wearing a true-to-size US11 in most silhouettes.

I recommend going a half-size up with the adidas Climacool as it’s a tight fit and difficult to get on, especially after you’ve exercised. Those happy to squeeze a shoe on their foot won’t have trouble going TTS, but going up a half size in a lifestyle shoe isn’t a problem, especially one that moulds to your foot like the Climacool.

The toe box is a little tight, but the supportive heel cup keeps your foot locked in. If you have trouble with your size, there’s no problem wearing thinner (or thicker) socks, even though some will prefer to go without.

Comfort and Performance

These are not performance shoes, but they’re a very comfortable lifestyle choice. The adidas Climacool sits in a neat category between performance-driven models like the UltraBoost and the technical 4D models. They’re not intended to be a training shoe as they’re without dedicated plates or support structures in the upper for enhanced stability. However, they’re still stable on foot, and I recommend wearing them around town to run errands, commuting, travelling, and as an all-day streetwear shoe.

The Climacool name indicates that they’re positioned as a recovery shoe to be worn after you go to the gym, and for this reason, they work very well. This porous design helps with breathability, and if you take your shoes off after a run and slip these on, your body will naturally cool down quicker. By how much, Ben? I haven’t done a temperature test for these as they’re a lifestyle-focused shoe, but if you want raw data, let me know!

Technically speaking, the shoe provides a decent amount of grip in dry conditions despite the minimal traction on the outsole. Stability is good, but not great, and I wouldn’t want to work out in them.

Price and Verdict

Brands like Zellerfeld have been making 3D-printed shoes for years, but it’s different when one of the biggest sportswear brands on earth brings the technology to market.

The adidas Climacool is the first 3D-printed sneaker to get me excited about the future of footwear. It’s not a performance-focused model, and the sustainability angle needs to be fleshed out, but it’s an exciting future that sneakerheads should be excited about. Comfortable to wear all day, stylish, and most importantly, it doesn’t look like an NFT.

adidas released the Climacool (AUD$260) on the 2nd of May, 2025, but it has since sold out in the Off White / Off White / Off White colourway as featured throughout this article.

You can pick up a pair right now at secondary marketplaces like StockX and GOAT. However, if you can wait, adidas will very likely release additional colourways in the future, given the success of the silhouette. I will update this article once those releases are made official, but there’s nothing official in the pipeline at the time of publishing.