Testing the new McLaren and APL supercar-inspired shoes

McLaren and luxury shoe brand APL have teamed up again to release three new colorways for their supercar-inspired sneaker collection, the HySpeed. Priced at $450 per pair, the new additions include a magenta and yellow ombre shoe, a tan and midnight shoe inspired by McLaren's interiors and the French Riviera's colors and a refreshed black and white version of APL's best-seller.

The partnership between McLaren and APL, which debuted in August, aimed to blend APL's effortless style with McLaren's sleek engineering to create a high-performing athletic sneaker that would disrupt the luxury footwear market. The sneaker's design includes a three-piece segmented midsole with APL's patented FutureFoam technology and a full-length carbon-fiber plate, a material commonly used in McLaren Senna seats. Nitrogen-filled cushioning completes the design, giving the shoe its unique elevated look.

Because the first launch of McLaren sneakers was so well received by the public, the brand decided to collaborate with APL and continue creating fresh new models that would bring value to the collection that was inspired by the vibrancy and energy of the supercars. McLaren’s chief sales state that both McLaren and APL are leaders in their fields. What is more, they have the drive to push the boundaries of design as well as technology and get more performance out of it.

The upper of the shoe is made with a non-stretch TechLoom material that has reinforced areas for added strength in high-stress zones. The shoe also features a TPU toe bumper for durability, a microfiber heel with extended wings for added support, and a perforated microfiber tongue for comfort. Inside the shoe is an advanced fitment system with three cushions inspired by the McLaren Senna seats and a heel lining that extends out the back of the collar to create an integrated pull-tab. The shoe also has APL's Soufflé Sockliner for added comfort.

The shoe features a 3-part segmented midsole with APL FutureFoam pods at the front and rear, connected by a full-length carbon fiber plate with a nitrogen-infused midsole compound for responsiveness and energy return. The carbon fiber plate promotes forward movement and the FutureFoam pods provide stability during quick changes of direction. The midfoot section is carved out for a lightweight design and the outsole is inspired by performance tires for speed and traction.

The trainers come in a range of colors including lime, orange, white, monochrome, and rose. They feature a microfiber heel, with a shape that mirrors the lines of the McLaren Speedtail hyper GT car. The outsole is inspired by the performance tires of the hypercar.

But did you know that APL is not the first fashion brand to incorporate car design into their products? Nio and Hussein Chalayan previously released a clothing collection inspired by the fastest electric car and Dutch designer Anouk Wipprecht created a 3D-printed fashion collection for Audi featuring dresses that incorporate technology from the brand's A4 car.