Every IAMBIC pair begins with your data and evolves with your movement. A precise 3D scan captures the unique architecture of your feet, while our Fit Engine translates that information into a digital model measured to the millimeter. Each pair is crafted in Europe from full-grain Italian leather and refined with your Sole Print data to ensure comfort that learns from you over time.
Named a TIME Best Invention, supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation, and developed with Dr. Hylton Menz.
Research shows that 60 to 70% of people wear shoes that do not fit properly (Buldt & Menz, 2018). This statistic isn't surprising, given that the footwear industry has historically relied on standardized sizing to serve billions of unique feet. Yet even when two people share identical measurements, they could need completely different shoes. These facts underscore the complexity of shoe fit design, which has left generations settling for poor fit and pain. AI-driven solutions, such as IAMBIC’s custom-fit MODEL T shoe, may offer a data-driven approach to this challenge.
The Problem with Standard Shoes
"Most people have fairly unique foot shapes," explains Dr. Hylton Menz, one of the world's leading podiatry researchers. "Yet, the majority of shoes in stores are designed around a hypothetical average foot.” Drawing from over three decades of research, Menz notes that this disconnect can lead to a cascade of issues—from immediate pain to long-term problems like bunions, hammer toes, and compromised knee and back health.
Advanced Technology for AI-Tailored Shoes
IAMBIC's approach combines advanced technology with detailed fit analysis for their custom-fit MODEL T shoe, named a TIME Best Invention. The bespoke fitting process begins with a smartphone-based foot scan where users capture three images of each foot. This analysis generates over 20 distinct measurements to create a detailed digital profile of each foot's unique characteristics. Traditional sizing systems—even with extended sizing options and wide or narrow widths—still rely on standard length and width measurements, failing to capture the true complexity of foot shape.
Precision-Fit Beyond Foot Shape
Even when two people share identical measurements, their optimal footwear needs can differ significantly. The MODEL T's customization process acknowledges this complexity by considering more than just physical dimensions. Beyond the smartphone-based foot scan, users share their comfort preferences and lifestyle details. This data—whether someone prefers a snug or loose fit, more or less cushioning—are crucial because comfort is highly subjective and even millimeter differences can significantly impact fit satisfaction.
Foot Health
This customization system aims to create shoes with optimal fit and comfort for each individual. “IAMBIC’s technology is a genuine game-changer,” says Menz, explaining how the system “can actually look at the individual, work out the shape of their foot, work out what sort of footwear they need.” The potential impact extends beyond individual comfort, as Menz notes: "This has a huge impact on foot health at the population level."
The Verdict
The MODEL T demonstrates how AI-driven analysis can advance footwear customization, addressing longstanding fit challenges that affect both comfort and foot health. Combining precise measurements with comfort preferences creates new possibilities in footwear fitting—transcends traditional sizing and widths to enable comprehensive fit personalization.
About Dr. Hylton B. Menz
Hylton B. Menz, PhD, is a globally recognized podiatry researcher and professor at La Trobe University. His work spans gait, balance, and musculoskeletal foot health with hundreds of peer-reviewed publications. He advises IAMBIC on research priorities and fit strategy, connecting clinical science to daily movement and long-term mobility.
FAQs
How does the smartphone scan work?
Three guided photos on four sheets of printer paper create a 3D profile of each foot. The scan feeds our fit engine along with your comfort preferences.
Is the fit accurate?
Our process operates with high-fidelity geometry capture across a large dataset. Results are reviewed and incorporated into your build and future pairs.
What if something feels off?
Every order is covered by our Signature Fit Guarantee with unlimited refits.
Where should I start?
Take the Fit Guide Quiz for a quick plan based on your routine and goals.
The most interesting thing about them being crafted just for me is how well they fit. And I hadnever even noticed that my shoes didn't fit right. My other shoes don't hurt me - they just slosharound. With these, the heels actually stay on the whole time and it fits snugly yet stillcomfortably. And I'd never experienced that before. They just stay comfortable all day.
As a runner, as an athlete, just knowing that I'm doing a good service to my body is incredible.It’s the reason that I love my IAMBIC shoes. It's that precision that makes me feel safe to walkdown the street, get on the subway, do my commute, bring my kids to school, and not feelconcerned that I'm doing it in a shoe that doesn't fit right or that doesn't feel good.
The thing that I was surprised by the most with the precision fit is that any pressure points thatI had been feeling with the shoes that I previously came in wearing were completely gone. I waswearing a shoe that wasn't too tight. It wasn't too loose. The sole fit just right. Total comfort.That's the best way to put it.
So I suffer from chronic foot pain and I believe that a lot of that has to do with wearing shoesthat actually don't fit. Whenever I wear my IAMBICs, I've noticed that I have felt less pain,which is really incredible. And they're just so comfortable. I'm not worried about the back of my heel popping out or my ankles not having enough support. Also, they're just so stylish andevery timeI wear them out in the street, I always get compliments, which never happens to me.
A shoe that may feel comfortable for a half hour walk is not a shoe that always feels comfortablefor a three and a half hour walk. So what I like about IAMBIC is, even though the snug fit isthere and it feels comfortable, it also feels substantial enough that I can walk a lot withoutgetting any discomfort. That's just something that's especially important to me and I think theshoe has really delivered that.
The first moment that I tried on my IAMBIC shoes, I noticed a difference. I have small feet. So whenever I try on shoes, I usually expect them to not fit. If they do fit, there's usually some sort of discomfort, whether that's in the toe box or too much space or at the heel. So knowing that this shoe was tailored to my foot was really meaningful. It's rare that you find a shoe like IAMBIC that truly is comfortable, but also hits the markers of style versatility.
I think we're all placed on this earth as unique individuals. None of us are really off the rack in terms of sizing. So for me to have that experience of having something made specifically for me that fit perfectly was something that was a little bit mind blowing. And once I got the shoes, I tried them on, they looked great, they felt great. And honestly, they fit like a glove.