Sneaker News Adistar is primed to rise as one of the key franchises in the ever-growing tech-runner landscape. 2025 has proven to be a coming out party of sorts for the running family thanks to the explosive success of Pharrell’s adidas Jellyfish and the return of 2008’s Adistar Control 5. With the proven comfort of the latter, adidas is poised to bring Adistar to the masses through some key executions for 2026.
In an official presentation at the brand headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany, adidas revealed two upcoming iterations of the Adistar based on the Control 5 tooling. First up is the Adistar MLD (Molded), which features a one-piece overlay in lifestyle-driven executions such as snakeskin texture, metallic patent leather, suede, and more. A few feature molded de-bossing at the fore-foot and heel for a futuristic, edgier take on the performance running model.
Next is the Adistar Mary Jane, a bold re-imagination of the tech runner with elements of ballet shoes. The aesthetic is running rampant throughout adidas Originals’ women’s line, established in both their in-line product (Mei Ballet, for example) and collaborative projects (Caroline Hu by Edison Chen). Here, the DNA of the Adistar Control 5 remains more apparent, but with a removed tongue, thick ribboned laces, and a lowered ankle with thick madding. The shoe almost acts like a loafer.
Finally, the adidas Adistar XLG 2.0; drawing comparisions to Pharrell’s adidas Jellyfish, the XLG 2.0 has adopted the “Squid” nickname for its resemblance to a fellow Adistar family member. The XLG 2.0 is essentially an exploded version of the Adistar Cushion 3.0 with a flared sole tooling and a RPU cage overlay. The brand’s XLG movement has been a success in China where the over-the-top exaggerated runners continue to be in demand. The release of the Adistar XLG 2.0 brings that vision to the U.S. market next year.
All three of these models–Adistar MLD, Adistar Mary Jane, and Adistar XLG 2.0–will be available on adidas.com and select retailers in Spring 2026.
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