Drifbolt Introduces 3D-Printed Shoes, Targets Personalised Footwear in India

New Delhi, November 10, 2026: Delhi-based footwear startup Drifbolt has introduced a range of 3D-printed shoes in India, using an on-demand manufacturing model that aims to simplify production and reduce dependence on ready-made inventory.

The company’s collection includes Wave, Breeze and Koral, available through its official website. According to Drifbolt, each pair takes approximately three hours to print and is produced only after a customer places an order.

The startup is positioning additive manufacturing as an alternative to conventional footwear assembly. Rather than combining multiple separately manufactured components, Drifbolt says it prints each shoe as a single piece.

Single-piece construction and lattice cushioning

Drifbolt’s shoes are produced using an AI-assisted printing platform and a material the company identifies as bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane, or TPU.

The design incorporates an open lattice structure in place of a conventional foam sole. According to the company, this structure allows ventilation and compresses under pressure to provide cushioning while walking.

The startup says its approach gives designers greater flexibility to adjust a shoe’s structure and shape. It also aims to shorten the time between developing a design and producing a physical version.

These features form the basis of Drifbolt’s pitch: footwear designed around flexibility, breathability and a less complex manufacturing process. The launch materials, however, do not provide independent performance testing or comparative comfort data.

Personalisation on the roadmap

Drifbolt’s longer-term plans include mass personalisation through custom foot scans and rapid design changes. The company intends to use these capabilities to develop footwear that more closely matches individual foot shapes.

The distinction between its current collection and that ambition is significant: while its shoes are available for purchase, custom-fit footwear is described in the company’s materials as a future development goal.

Co-founder Kartik Khatri said his family’s experience in footwear manufacturing helped shape the venture. He identified 3D printing as an opportunity to rethink both product design and production.

Khatri also questioned the industry’s reliance on standardised sizing, saying: “Most shoes are designed for an average foot that nobody actually has.”

On-demand production model

Alongside personalisation, Drifbolt is focusing on inventory management. Printing footwear after an order is placed is intended to limit the accumulation of unsold finished products.

The company also says its single-piece construction uses material only where required by the design, helping reduce production waste. Its launch announcement does not include quantified waste-reduction figures or a lifecycle assessment, so the broader environmental impact remains unestablished.

For the business, the model links manufacturing more closely to customer demand. Its ability to scale will depend on maintaining production speed, consistent product quality and reliable fulfilment as orders grow.

Manufacturing and finance experience

Khatri brings experience across footwear manufacturing and finance. According to his professional profile, he previously worked with Nandi Footwears, where he gained exposure to footwear component manufacturing and engagements with Indian and international brands.

His earlier roles include positions at The D. E. Shaw Group and Deloitte. He holds an MBA from IIM Rohtak and a Bachelor of Management Studies from Delhi University.

With its initial collection now available, Drifbolt is seeking to build a consumer footwear business around 3D printing. Its next stage will centre on translating its manufacturing approach into repeatable customer demand while developing the personalised-fit capabilities outlined in its roadmap.