Andrew Rizzo The Adistar Control 5 is on a steady rise within adidas’ retro running catalog, strengthening its lineup of inline styles with collaborations from retailers participating in adidas’ Business Track program. Following a deeply personal pair by Shake James of CLICKS, our attention now shifts from Milwaukee to New York with a collaboration by Brooklyn-born chain WOODstack.
Dubbed the Adistar Control 5 “Blood, Sweat & Tears,” WOODstack’s second-ever adidas collaboration serves as a love letter to the NYC hustle, especially for those building businesses of their own. That theme comes to life through the colors used: dark and light reds represent blood, silver overlays represent the shop’s metal gates, and blue accents symbolize the joyful tears that follow success and perseverance.
The inspiration is deeply personal for WOODstack, which started with a single modest location in 2011 and has since expanded to seven stores (soon to be eight in early 2026) across New York and New Jersey. Its campaign highlights several New Yorkers who have dedicated their lives to building something of their own: Nicole and Michael Nicholas of Aunts et Uncles, Jeremy Batista of Bodega City, Michael Cacace of Michael’s of Brooklyn, and Lizzy Okpo of The Oma Shop. WOODstack has also launched the Made by Hard Work Grant, created to support brick-and-mortar NYC businesses through whatever challenges they might face.
The WOODstack x adidas Adistar Control 5 “Blood, Sweat & Tears” releases December 17th for $120 USD exclusively through WOODstack (in-store and online). To celebrate the collaboration, WOODstack and adidas will host a public event on launch day at WOODstack Flatbush (1353 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210), featuring limited-edition merch, music, and food. See detailed images below if you’re planning to cop.
