Adidas Reveals $415 3D-Printed Glasses

Aug 2, 2021
by Ed Spratt  
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Adidas has unveiled its latest cycling product as a set of lightweight 3D-printed glasses.

3D printing is becoming more common among cycling products with the manufacturing method used for everything from frames to pedals. Now Adidas is using the technology to make a very lightweight and expensive set of glasses.

The Adidas 3D CMPT sunglasses use a one-piece frame made from flexible nylon compound treated with a rubberised coating. The glasses have non-foldable arms and use non-slip rubber on the nose bridge and arm tips. The 3D printing results in a pretty striking design, and a low weight of just 20 grams.

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All this does come at a significant cost with the Adidas 3D CMPT sunglasses set to sell for $415 USD / £300 / €350. As well as a pretty high cost, the glasses will also be very exclusive as Adidas will only be producing 150 sets. Currently, they will only be available through the Adidas 'Creator Club' on August 23.

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103 Comments
  • 121 5
 So many 3D printed products fall into “so busy wondering if they could they didn’t consider if they should” category.

I see no benefit to these, plus they have the potential to fill with mud if ridden off road, and leave you with a sweet face tattoo if you crash in ‘em.
  • 45 0
 To say nothing of the checkerboard sun burn on your forehead.
  • 83 0
 Those are speed holes bud
  • 12 0
 Was this rule taken from Jurassic Park?
  • 115 2
 Wasn’t 3D printing meant to make things cheaper and quicker to make?

If they really wanted to make something different they should release the printer files for free and sell lenses for the glasses that people print at home
  • 8 4
 @racecase: …”Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.”
  • 11 2
 3D printed & EXCLUSIVE?!....sadly, Adidas could have priced these at $600 and they would still sell out. Market is out of control (and $415 for glasses is not at all crazy) and I blame FS ebikes and companies pushing $10k builds for weekend warriors as no big deal.
  • 15 0
 I see no discernible functional benefit of using 3D printing in this application. It’s ugly as sin, why the hell would anyone want to put this in their face?
  • 17 0
 @toad321: I own a pair of 3D printed glasses, but I thought the main point of 3D printing those was custom fit and sizing. Fixed size printed glasses make no sense in my eyes.
  • 14 2
 @blackthorne: "why the hell would anyone want to put this on their face?"

Because it's exclusive, expensive, and has those 3 ticks on the side
...oh, and people are idiots
  • 5 0
 @racecase: I have decided not to endorse these glasses........
  • 5 0
 @Fix-the-Spade So you only apply sun lotion to the area around where your riding glasses sit? That's chill, I guess.

This reminds me of the Delta 7 Arantix Carbon-Kevlar mtb frame.


Google it.


Its a gamechanger.
  • 1 0
 @blackthorne: Oakley Katos: "Hold my beer"
  • 6 2
 @toad321: This is gonna gross them a total of 62 grand, really not worth it for a company as big as Adidas for the revenue alone. They're doing this to dip their toes in the AM process without risking having thousands of sub-par products out there. BTW, with 3d printed nylon, I'm guessing they are probably using SLS, not your everyday hobby machine, units (formlabs.com) start at $18,000. That said, it absolutely makes things cheaper and easier, and I am sure you will find plenty of frames out there on thingiverse, though you wouldn't want frames made from PLA. Watch this space, firm goods are the proving ground for AM process development, and whatever company figures out how to streamline the process of custom scanned to custom made will make a killing.
  • 3 0
 @toad321: Not really quicker to make. Quicker to make one off products, prototypes and structures, that can not be achieved without using additive manufacturing. Same goes for cheaper, cheaper to make one offs and prototypes.
  • 1 0
 @toad321: I was thinking the same thing
  • 1 0
 creality 3d printer. 200 dollars. lenses. 5 dollars. BOOM
  • 4 0
 Getting laid in 5 minutes wearing $5 aviators.
  • 2 0
 @Ttimer: I thought that was the point too. It seems these are just a set of generic fit glasses - no benefit in the 3D printing part at all.
  • 1 0
 @toad321: Dude I think you're really on to something there!!
  • 3 0
 @racecase: clever girl
  • 1 0
 @toad321: well thought, leaves room for customisation/sizing and choosing whatever color, this could be a thing.
  • 1 0
 @toad321: they will soon be selling for an extra 100$ 3D printed plugs for all the holes.
  • 72 0
 I might get my nan to knit me a pair.
  • 1 0
 Tom Daley could hook you up.
  • 19 0
 Finally, I won't feel like a peasant anymore riding around in the $350 sunglasses I have now.
  • 1 0
 You pay extra for these handmade ones !
  • 15 0
 Keep in mind peoples, these are not meant to be every pair of glasses they produce going forward. Its R&D spend that they will recoup a bit of cost on and use that knowledge moving forward. No different than carbon fiber bikes back in the late 80's, early '90s. Carbon bikes are common now but at one point it was tip of the spear, unheard of, outrageously expensive tech. You can bet on seeing more and more 3D printed stuff and it will likely become some kind of normal in the future.
  • 8 0
 seems the advantage of 3D printing would be to customize it specifically for each individual rider...I don't see that being a goal in this write up....
  • 3 0
 @SATN-XC: All pieces to the puzzle. It is so easy to just click ship to buy something and not really feel like $400 just left your wallet. Working out the process to custom fit is a massive challenge, as you either have to trust your customers to not mess up (as if), or convince them to take the time to make an appointment with somebody who you've cleared to do the job...(a hassle). Solving that problem is easily worth a billion.
  • 16 0
 Does it come with a braided belt as well?
  • 15 0
 Not ugly enough, try again.
  • 9 1
 Just buy a couple pairs of quality safety glasses. Of all the overpriced items in biking, glasses must be at the top of the list.
  • 2 0
 Totally agree. I wear Nemesis safety glasses I get for free from work. Great for riding. If I had to pay for them I'm out about 10 bucks.
  • 5 0
 I think they're just trying to make people angry now... Doing the same thing Toyota did to get people talking about them.

A quick Google shows regular safety glasses coming in at 24 grams. I guess 20% ain't nothing but damn idk if it's worth the price hike....
  • 8 0
 Remember when 3D printing was going to make things cheaper and easier to produce?
  • 1 0
 @toad321: Better come up with 4D printing or something to keep the prices up there.
  • 1 0
 Tbf it's easier to print this design than make it by any other means.
  • 5 0
 A sporty version of the ICberlin exoskeleton. 415 bucks for something clunky looking without any benefit. I guess we’re in the sneaker collector territory here.
  • 6 0
 That's going to leave a very nice geometric mark.
  • 8 3
 You can get a 3d printer for $250 & filament for $20, still cheaper than the $400…..
  • 2 0
 Good luck getting an SLS printer for this kinda budget tho...
  • 6 0
 Do you get a pair of these with an Outside+ subscription?
  • 2 0
 No, there's an Outside subscriber version coming which will be required to view the website, without those you'll just be looking at a blank screen. They'll also be able to scan and redact the comments in real time.
  • 2 0
 While these are unique, I agree with many of the comments that they are ugly and far too expensive. That being said, my biggest issue with these is that the arms don't fold. Perhaps you just never take these off, and everyone is constantly reminded how poor your taste and management of money is.
  • 2 0
 HOW ON EARTH...are glasses that are produced by pushing a button so expensive???
Should the price not go way down if the printer does a big chunk of the work?
And who came up with that hideous design? Looks like sunglasses for the Hulks friends from business school Big Grin
  • 5 0
 These will go great with the S-Works strider!
  • 1 0
 Seems more art than performance. For that price point I would like a pair that can collapse and it would seem the holes would create unnecessary drag. Also weight difference between these and a none 3D printed pair (though lighter) seems negligible.
  • 1 0
 Interesting looking.
Maybe the speed holes will funnel sweat away from your face and eyes.
For myself I know after taking them off once, I would have busted at least one of the arms off.
Do they come with a granny chain for around your neck?
  • 5 0
 Expect to see on Aliexpress in 2 weeks for $24.99.
  • 3 0
 20 grams, sign me up. My 34 gram sunglasses have been weighing down my head, making it uncontrollably dip on the downhills. That 14 grams could be a game changer.
  • 1 0
 Don't see the benefits of 3D printing when you reach a price tag which is what, 2 times higher than a high end Oakley?

And what about the most important piece of the glasses: the lens. No word about it? Strength, shape, colors filtering....
  • 3 0
 they might be eye poppingly expensive but at least they are fucking hideous!!!
  • 2 0
 It will go great with my 3D-printed carbon shoes.

Am gonna huck-to-flat the sidewalk like a hardcore M*th*rf*ck*r. You read it here first.
  • 1 0
 Well, $400 covers the cost of the printer from Aldi and then you are free to make all sorts of other things
www.vice.com/en/article/wj3wbq/we-made-a-dildo-with-aldis-3d-printer
  • 1 0
 I try not to leave negative comments for the sake of it, but please Adidas stop this shit and concentrate on bringing us some more usable Five Ten designs (and actually making enough of them).
  • 2 0
 @Brianpark Could you please print me some of these? I’ll give you one cold PBR in return, sound fair?
  • 2 0
 Are they dishwasher safe? Just thinking about clean the sweat/dirt/dog poop outta all those holes…
  • 3 0
 You gotta pay the price if you wanna look baller as fuck.
  • 1 0
 Great, now sweat and rain can run inside and outside along the glass Smile
I guess they can stuff these 150 sets up to where the sun never shines.
  • 1 0
 Anyone has the GCode files?
Don't ask $415 then tell me they are 3d printed, I feel robbed!
I have the material and a 3D printer, I 'll donate $4 to your cause Adidas?
  • 1 1
 "That price is ridiculous, only an idiot would shell out that much money for something that's basically the same as the cheaper versions you can buy," yelled the outraged owners of $9,000 bicycles.
  • 2 0
 When they fetch over 1000$ maybe. I'm trying to impress my friends!
  • 3 0
 Being "exclusive", I'm sure you'll see some on Ebay going for that.
  • 1 2
 Talk about expensive glasses. I thought that 200$ mtb glasses were pricy. I'll just stick with getting some of these: cascadearmory.com/collections/sunglasses/products/flashbang-gold-iridium
  • 1 0
 I could make these with a roll of bailing wire and a book on basket weaving.. you wont even know the difference.
  • 1 1
 Poor availability on one of your main products (shoes)? Let's spread our resources out by making something else that only 3 people will like.
  • 1 0
 Are they using 3D printers to make shoes?
  • 1 1
 @src248: There ya go. You've got a clear understanding of resource management. smh
  • 1 0
 With so many 3d printed items available now, it wont be long before we can find 3d printer files and make our own..
  • 1 0
 Mugatu called. He wants his Derelicte galvanized chain link fence inspired eyewear back.
  • 1 0
 @brianpark I expect to see your take on this by the end of the month, I'll bet you can do better.
  • 2 0
 For when your FiveTen sole falls off... you'll be able to see it better.
  • 1 0
 A pair of these and some of those shoes from the other article and you too can be the ugliest thing on two wheels.
  • 2 0
 Will there be an ebike version soon? Think I'll hold off until then.
  • 1 0
 Hey, people can do what they want with their money.......but come on, the dude that buys these, you know he is an asshole.
  • 2 0
 Yee old wicker chair sunglasses!
  • 2 0
 Didn't realize it was the first of April.
  • 2 0
 Wicker is so hot right now!
  • 2 0
 Hahaha wont make you fast duechhbags
  • 1 0
 If you see ANYONE wearing these...you can just call them by their nickname. "f*cktard"
  • 1 0
 Seems like only on cycling websites are these "cycling glasses", anywhere else just says they are geared for athletes.
  • 1 0
 $400? Probably cost $1 to print and whistles in the wind as your ride. No thanks!
  • 1 0
 Didn't see that one coming.
  • 1 0
 Yet another example of a product manager confusing "can" with "should"
  • 1 0
 My dude sadly those are not expensive in the world of eyewear
  • 1 0
 At least somebody got something out of Basket Weaving 101
  • 1 0
 One born every minute! wow, 400 plus....
  • 1 0
 they ain't serious are they?
  • 1 0
 If you need these for ventilation, you're going way to slow.
  • 2 0
 Im buying 6 pair
  • 1 0
 ye
  • 1 0
 I don't care about the glasses I'm just here for the comments
  • 1 0
 Why did you post this really? No one will buy this.
  • 1 0
 Hi, Adidas? Yea, these are f*cking stupid.
  • 1 0
 Wasn't 3D printing supposed to make things cheaper?
  • 1 0
 Can they reveal the velosamba on the Canadian store? I need my SPD drip!
  • 2 2
 Maybe ALN can knit me a pair of these between stages at the next EWS race
  • 1 1
 gotta be honest I would wear these
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