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REVIEW ARTICLE

A multidisciplinary review on footwear 3D printing: From biomechanics to therapeutics

Kijung Kim1† ,  Hyunji Kim2† ,  Wonjae Hwang3,4,5 ,  Yoonseo Choi1 ,  Keewon Kim3,4* ,  Jooeun Ahn2,6* ,  Howon Lee1*
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1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Advanced Machines and Design, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
2 Department of Physical Education, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
3 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
4 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
5 Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Armed Forces Daejeon Hospital, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
6 Institute of Sport Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
†These authors contributed equally to this work.
IJB, 025210204 https://doi.org/10.36922/IJB025210204
Received: 19 May 2025 | Accepted: 7 July 2025 | Published online: 1 August 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Advancements in three-dimensional (3D) printing have expanded design freedom across various fields, including footwear. Driven by recent progress in biomechanics, footwear has increasingly adopted complex structural designs to meet diverse functional demands, ranging from personal activity to competitive athletics and medical rehabilitation. Accordingly, the role of 3D printing in footwear development has become increasingly significant. This review categorizes the functions of footwear into protection, performance enhancement, and therapeutic applications, and systematically explores the impact of 3D printing on each of these primary functions. 3D printing technology enables the fabrication of complex but mechanically efficient structures, while the 3D scanning method facilitates the application of optimal, personalized designs tailored to individual biomechanics, which significantly impact all three functional areas of footwear. Such design advantages offered by 3D printing have been demonstrated across various fields, with both commercial and academic examples presented to support these findings. This review highlights interdisciplinary insights from biomechanics, ergonomics, and clinical studies to discuss the current status, limitations, and future potential of 3D-printed footwear. We conclude that continuous advancements in design methodology, material science, and printing technology will accelerate the adoption of 3D printing in next-generation footwear.  

Graphical abstract
Keywords
3D printing
3D printed shoes
Footwear
Foot protection
Running efficiency
Foot orthotics
Funding
This work was supported by Seoul National University Research Grant in 2021. The authors also acknowledge the financial support from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) Grants funded by the Korean Government (MSIT) (RS-2022-NR070098, RS-2023-00208052, and RS-2023-00218543).
Conflict of interest
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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International Journal of Bioprinting, Electronic ISSN: 2424-8002 Print ISSN: 2424-7723, Published by AccScience Publishing
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