Step aside, laces and glue—Berlin just leveled up the sneaker game.
In a move that blends streetwear cool with Silicon Valley energy, Solebox and Zellerfeld have teamed up to drop a 3D-printed sneaker experience unlike anything the industry’s seen before. Forget mass production—this is retail reimagined, where shoes are printed, not made. And it’s all happening live inside Solebox’s Berlin flagship store.
From Boutique to Beta Lab
Solebox, Berlin’s legendary sneaker haven, has always flirted with the future. Known for its robotic “Solebot” displays and high-concept drops, the store just traded its tech mascots for something even bolder: an in-store 3D-printing lab. Teaming up with footwear disruptor Zellerfeld, the collab isn’t just about a new sneaker—it’s about a new way of thinking.
Zellerfeld, if you don’t already know, is the Hamburg-born startup making major waves with its fully 3D-printed, recyclable shoes. Their proprietary material, zellerFOAM®, is TPU-based, breathable, lightweight, and—yep—completely recyclable. From Heron Preston to HUGO and even Nike, this is the name big brands whisper when they talk about the future.
Scan. Print. Flex.
Here’s how it works:
- Walk into Solebox Berlin
- Get a 3D scan of your feet
- Browse over 100 futuristic designs
- Hit print
Okay, the actual sneaker is printed off-site for quality control, but you’ll see printers live in action, churning out demo pairs in real-time. It’s sneaker shopping gamified, and the vibe is straight out of a sci-fi concept store. Everything from the in-store layout (industrial-chic, naturally) to the foot-scanning setup feels like a soft launch for the future of fashion.
One Piece. Infinite Possibilities.
What makes these kicks wild isn’t just their look—it’s the way they’re made:
- No glue
- No stitching
- No wasted materials
- One single recyclable material
The lattice structure is custom-fit to your foot, with zoned comfort and bounce you don’t usually get until after months of breaking in traditional sneakers. Oh, and when you’re done with them? Return them to Zellerfeld. They’ll grind them down and print them into a new pair. Welcome to closed-loop fashion.
Local, Digital, Sustainable
It’s not just hype. This collab is seriously eco-forward. On-demand means no overproduction. Single-material means easier recycling. And digital design means less waste, less shipping, and way more creative freedom.
Compared to traditional shoes that use dozens of components and overseas labor, these sneakers are made from one recyclable material and can be updated, resized, or redesigned using code. The future isn’t just sustainable—it’s smart.
A Blueprint for the Next Era
This isn’t a one-off stunt. Zellerfeld is positioning itself as the operating system for future footwear, already working with big names across fashion, tech, and performance wear. With Solebox giving this vision a home, the Berlin store is essentially a beta lab for next-gen sneaker drops.
Other brands, take note: This is what it looks like when retail meets innovation head-on. It’s not just about launching new styles—it’s about launching new systems.
What’s Next?
For now, the Solebox x Zellerfeld experience is Berlin-only, but don’t be surprised if you start seeing scan-to-print stations in every sneaker hub across the globe. With 3D printers getting faster and materials getting smarter, it’s only a matter of time.
And if you’re wondering how they feel? Reddit reviewers are calling them “astonishingly comfortable.”
Final Word: The Hype Is Real
Zellerfeld and Solebox just turned the sneaker drop into a software moment. In a world of endless collabs, this one actually changes the rules. You don’t just buy these sneakers. You generate them.
The future of footwear? It’s already here. And it’s printed in Berlin.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A: Not yet. The experience is currently exclusive to the Solebox Berlin flagship store.
A: While demo pairs are printed in-store, your personalized pair is printed off-site and delivered later. Turnaround time can vary.
A: Every pair is custom-sized to your exact foot scan, so traditional sizing doesn’t apply.
A: Early testers say yes. Thanks to the lattice design and custom fit, they offer great comfort right out of the box.
A: You can return them to Zellerfeld for recycling. The material will be repurposed into new prints.
A: Likely. Zellerfeld’s model is scalable and designed for global expansion—Berlin is just the start.
Sources
- Sneaker Freaker: Solebox x Zellerfeld Collaboration Article
- Zellerfeld Official Site: zellerfeld.com
- LinkedIn: Zellerfeld x Solebox Launch Post
- Reddit: User Reviews and Experience Threads
- VoxelMatters: Coverage on the Berlin Store Experience
- FashionUnited: Sustainability Impact of 3D-Printed Shoes
- Hypebeast: Zellerfeld’s Design Platform
- Futurevvorld: Open Platform and 3D Print Design Movement
