# Repurposable 3D-Printed Shoes The 'HILOS' Shoes Are Designed To Be Recycled and Reimagined By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2021-08-13 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hilos-3dprinted-shoes References: [3dprintingmedia.network](https://www.3dprintingmedia.network/hilos-presents-custom-made-3d-printed-fully-circular-women-shoes/) & [hilos.co](https://hilos.co/) Oregon-based company HILOS is looking to combine the modern technology of 3D-printing with an eco-friendly ethos and fashionable aesthetic with the release of its range of [3D-printed shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinted-flip-flops), which are designed to be easily repurposable in order to foster creativity and reduce waste. What's great about these 3D-printed women's shoes is that they are all designed to be [easily disassembled and repurposed](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swapz-modular-slippers). What's more, customers are incentivized to contribute to the HILOS mission through the offering of a 15 percent discount off their next purchase if they send their used HILOS shoes back to the company. When the HILOS team gets their hands on a used pair, they disassemble them and distribute the components to partners, who can then re-use them in new products. Additionally, the use of 3D-printing means that the HILOS shoes use far less water in their manufacturing process compared to traditional shoes, making this a consummate example of how [environmentally friendly fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keen-uneek-360) needn't be incongruous with fashion. Image Credit: HILOS ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.2/10 - Popularity: 87% | Activity: 89% | Freshness: 10% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Repurposable Fashion:** The trend towards repurposing clothes and accessories offers opportunities for businesses that specialize in sustainable, customizable products. - **3d-printed Footwear:** The rise of 3D printing technology in footwear presents opportunities for businesses looking to disrupt the fashion industry with innovative and eco-friendly designs. - **Circular Economy:** The circular economy trend offers opportunities for innovative businesses to reduce waste, increase sustainability, and improve their bottom line through new business models. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fashion:** With the rise of sustainable and customizable fashion, the industry has an opportunity to embrace innovative and eco-friendly designs that can improve its environmental impact. - **Manufacturing:** Innovations in manufacturing, such as 3D-printing technology, are disrupting traditional production methods and offering opportunities for businesses to create more efficient and sustainable processes. - **Sustainability:** The trend towards sustainable practices is creating opportunities for businesses to embrace circular economy principles and reduce environmental impact while improving brand reputation. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Custom 3D-Printed Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sean-wotherspoon-x-zellerfeld.md) - [Sustainable Modular Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modular-sneaker-1.md) - [3D Printed Shoe Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/customfit-3d-printed-shoes.md) - [3d-Printed Collab Flip Flops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinted-flipflops.md) - [Sustainable 3D-Printed Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/4dfwd-1.md) - [Scan-to-Print Custom Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vivobiome.md) - [Open 3D Printing Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zellerfeld-1.md) - [Conversation-Starting Eco Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/delo.md) - [Recycled Rope-Made Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shore.md)