Almaty-based designer Daniyar Uderbekov has released an updated version of UDRB, a modular sneaker system built entirely without adhesives, combining a 3D-printed thermoplastic polyurethane sole with a leather inner boot drawn from traditional Central Asian and Caucasian footwear traditions.
The shoe breaks into three distinct components: the 3D-printed TPU sole, a leather sock-boot inspired by Makhsi and Ichigi footwear styles, and a fastening system made from climbing rope and parachute fabric. Each part can be separated, repaired, replaced, or recycled independently. That’s a direct challenge to conventional sneaker construction, which typically bonds all materials together with permanent adhesives that make end-of-life recycling nearly impossible.
The Makhsi and Ichigi traditions inform the leather inner boot specifically. Those historical styles are known for flexible construction and protective qualities, and Uderbekov’s version can be worn on its own as a lightweight shoe when removed from the outer system. The climbing rope and parachute fabric fastening threads beneath the sole and wraps around the foot, materials the designer selected partly for their connection to Almaty’s mountainous surroundings.
Because the sole is produced through additive manufacturing, its geometry and cushioning properties can be adjusted for individual foot shapes. When it wears out, the TPU material can be reprocessed and printed again rather than landfilled with the rest of the shoe.
The updated UDRB refines the fastening system from earlier prototypes, adding adjustment options and improving stability. Uderbekov says the project is moving from experimental prototyping toward preparation for potential production.
Source: designboom.com
