Tom Dell - How Solemate is 3D Printing the Future of Footwear (Part 1)

This episode, we're talking with Tom Dell, founder of Solemate, a company that's flipping the custom insole game on its head using iPhone scanning and 3D printing. Yeah, it's as cool as it sounds. Part 1 takes us back to the beginning. Tom calls himself a "late bloomer" to skiing, but once he caught the bug, he couldn't shake a nagging problem: making custom insoles was slow, inconsistent, and kind of a pain for everyone involved. So he decided to do something about it. Here's what we get into: The backstory – Tom's path from design engineering student to 3D scanning mountain bikes in Whistler (seriously), and how those experiences quietly set him up for what came next. The lightbulb moment – Why footbeds? Tom walks us through his frustration with the old-school process and his vision for something better: faster, more accurate, and actually repeatable. How it actually works – Tom breaks down Solemate's three-step process: scan your foot with your phone, let the software work its magic, and get a 3D-printed insole made specifically for you. It's pretty wild. The bigger picture – This isn't just about making insoles. Tom talks about building a "digital product" that's focused on data, software, and sustainability—creating something circular that performs at the highest level. Finding his thing – From that first university ski trip that changed everything to chasing gravity down mountains today, Tom shares how passion became purpose. If you're into skiing, innovation, or just hearing how great ideas actually come together, this one's for you. Find out more on IG: @solematedesign or

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Tom Dell - How Solemate is 3D Printing the Future of Footwear (Part 1) is an episode from Legends of the Brand by Phil Gordon.

This episode is 00:52:28 long.

This episode was published on Sep 30, 2025.

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