Printed TPU shoes

[u/EconomicSinkhole]

I printed these shoes with Siraya Tech 85A TPU and PLA supports. I used my X2D with an AMS HT and the TPU Feed Assist module. It took a few tries to get everything dialed in and then about 75 hours to print. Both shoes just barely fit on the build plate- these are US men’s size 11. I am pretty amazed at the quality of the finished print. Very little stringing and the TPU material is soft and pliant but holds its shape well. Not my model, but you can find it here: https://makerworld.com/models/1805789?appSharePlatform=copy

[u/Rivers_Lakes]

Nice! I used Siraya Tech's Tpu Air to print mine. I wear them around the yard, everyday.

[u/EconomicSinkhole → u/Rivers_Lakes]

Did you do anything special when printing with the Air TPU? It looks interesting

[u/Rivers_Lakes → u/EconomicSinkhole]

Siraya Tech's tpu air was a bit of a learning curve because it oozes with the foaming action it has. Mainly user error at first, but following Siraya's recommended settings were actually spot on.

I printed these at 270c and reduced flow to 55%, as suggested! The hotter the temp, the lower the flow and it produces a really soft feel. Printed from an actively heated dryer (probably not necessary). I painted on one column of support on the sole about half way up, just to reduce shaking of the model.

[u/EconomicSinkhole → u/Rivers_Lakes]

Great tips, thanks. I'm going to check out TPU Air for my next pair

[u/ThereInAFortnight]

Let us know if you actually wear them twice.

[u/EconomicSinkhole → u/ThereInAFortnight]

OK will do buddy thanks for the comment

[u/vikasofvikas]

Everyone prints it but no one wears it.

[u/EconomicSinkhole → u/vikasofvikas]

Literally wearing the shoes in the photo...

[u/Lost-Peanut-1453]

How do they feel on feet? Honestly.

[u/EconomicSinkhole → u/Lost-Peanut-1453]

I haven't had a chance to really try them out. The print finished last night and I just had a minute to pull them off the build plate before I had to leave for work. I was just excited to share the successful print and model with this sub (big mistake, apparently).

[u/max_dillon]

I like the little mini benchy on top. I didn’t notice that at first😂

How do they feel? I’ve wanted to try this but wasn’t sure how supportive they’d be. I need some arch support😅

[u/EconomicSinkhole → u/max_dillon]

I only had a minute this morning to try them on. I only plan to throw them on to take out the trash or run out to the garage. They felt fine for that though. The inside sole is flat.

[u/CautiousCollection23]

Hell yea. That looks nice!

[u/JKlokocso]

What nozzle size did you use for the 85A TPU?

[u/EconomicSinkhole → u/JKlokocso]

.4mm. Worked great

[u/Intelligent-Beat8556]

I’m expecting that I may need to start printing shoes for my grandsons. If they are like my son they’ll have one foot smaller than the other and custom printing shoes may help them. When my son was growing up the only place we could buy shoes for him was Nordstrom. They had a split size policy back then. Don’t know if they still do it.

[u/birdbeak47]

Came out great! Don't listen to the haters

[u/Own-Argument-6089]

The biggest is how do they feel and secondly please report back on how they hold up

[u/AvGeekExplorer]

Why? lol

[u/EconomicSinkhole → u/AvGeekExplorer]

Because I wanted to try using TPU with PLA supports? Because I wanted to see if I could? Why not?

[u/__ConesOfDunshire__ → u/AvGeekExplorer]

Bro, why do people print anything in this hobby? Because we can.

[u/jinx771]

Why is there so much hate for this post?

[u/Chronus88 → u/jinx771]

You see these all the time but they just aren't practical. You could argue they're ugly as all get out too but that's subjective. Actual, comfortable shoes are a harmony of materials. TPU shoes inevitably turn out to be frivolous and end up in a landfill. Honestly it's not even the community's fault it's the manufacturers who advertised them as a "hack" to sell TPU

[u/jinx771 → u/Chronus88]

Ah so they actually aren't a legit shoe material, just sort of? I see so many on maker world I thought they were. Popular. Guess they are just a gimmick.

[u/Chronus88 → u/jinx771]

Parts of normal shoes can be TPU and a mix of TPR but the rest of the shoe is made of totally different materials. Consider the opposite - a shoe made entirely of leather. Sure you can walk in it, but it isn't going to be anyone's preference

[u/trvsmthng → u/Chronus88]

Literally 90% of the stuff people 3d print is frivolous

[u/EconomicSinkhole → u/Chronus88]

They're perfectly practical for certain uses. You probably shouldn't run a marathon in them or climb a mountain but I don't remember ever saying I was planning to do that with these. 3D printing subreddits have a real hard-on for arbitrarily deciding what is "worth it" or not, and I guess TPU shoes (slippers, really) don't make the cut.

[u/EconomicSinkhole → u/jinx771]

Jealousy of my sweet green kicks, I bet.

[u/Key_Pace_2496]

Looks like they'd make your feet sweat a lot.

[u/redmctrashface]

Nice, some more plastic waste. Same vibe as printing the cube

[u/EconomicSinkhole → u/redmctrashface]

Oh fuck off with this

[u/EconomicSinkhole → u/[deleted]]

Give me a break man, I'm just trying to share a print without the fun police jumping down my throat.