Vivobarefoot envisions scan-print-soil future where sneakers are personalized and compostable

In London, minimalist, “barefoot-style” shoe brand Vivobarefoot has unveiled a compostable sneaker prototype that is 3D printed using a biobased thermoplastic.  The company told design publication dezeen the shoe is a “scan-to-print-to-soil” solution to the waste associated with sneaker production. Customers simply scan their feet with a smartphone, after which Vivobarefoot 3D-prints a bespoke sneaker. At the end of the shoe’s usable life, it can simply be broken down in an industrial composter.

“Whilst the current system might have been fit for the early part of industrialization, it’s definitely not fit for the future,” Vivobarefoot co-founder Asher Clark said. “In contrast to that, our goal is to create a flagship solution – one that’s on demand, rather than from stock. We want it to be fast, digital, simple and ultimately an additive process.”

The biobased thermoplastic is produced by Balena, a London-based material science company.