Adidas sneakers: dual evolution of technology and trend

Adidas sneakers: dual evolution of technology and trend
As one of the benchmarks of global sports brands, Adidas has always focused on “athletic performance” and continuously reshapes consumers’ perception of sports shoes through the integration of technological innovation and trendy culture. From professional competitions to street wear, Adidas has written a legendary history in the field of sports shoes with nearly a century of accumulation and breakthroughs.

1、 From craftsmanship to legend: Adidas’ brand DNA
In 1920, founder Adi Dassler began his brand journey with a pair of handmade training shoes. In 1949, the iconic “three stripes” design was introduced, not only becoming a brand symbol, but also laying the foundation for Adidas’ original intention of “born for athletes” through functional design that fits the shape of the feet. In the following decades, the brand continued to lead industry innovation through multiple revolutionary technologies, such as the Predator Falcon football shoes in 1994 and the first smart running shoe “adidas 1” in 2004.

2、 Core Technology: From BOOST to LIGHT STRIKE
Adidas’ core competitiveness lies in its constantly evolving sports technology, with the most representative being BOOST midsole technology. By collaborating with BASF Group to develop E-TPU material, BOOST has found a perfect balance between cushioning and rebound, and is known as the pinnacle of the “poop feeling” 58. The ULTRABOOST LIGHT, launched in 2023, further reduces the weight of the midsole by 30% while improving rebound performance, becoming a double favorite for runners and trend enthusiasts.

Another innovation is the LightSTRIKE technology, applied to the recently popular ADIZERO series and LightBLAZE running shoes. This lightweight material not only provides sensitive cushioning response, but also integrates racing genes into daily wear through carbon plate structure and streamlined design, becoming a symbol of “racing aesthetics”.

In addition, Adidas’ Primeknit knitted shoe uppers and patented technologies such as the Torque System anti torsion system have also set industry benchmarks in comfort, support, and durability.

3、 Classic and Innovation: A Dual Narrative of Product Lines
Classic revival: Samba and the trend return of German training shoes
In 2023, Adidas will make a strong comeback with its Samba training shoes. This shoe style, originating from football training, has become a “traffic code” on Xiaohongshu due to the promotion of BLACKPINK member Jennie and other celebrities, with over 120000 notes in a single series. Its minimalist design and retro style have successfully leveraged Generation Z’s pursuit of a “light sports style”.

Professional Track: The Dominance of the ADIZERO Family
In the field of professional sports, the ADIZERO series swept the marathon track with its record breaking racing genes. In the 2024 global road race, ADIZERO running shoes helped athletes win 51% of the championships and break 7 world records. The combination of lightweight design and carbon plate technology has redefined the limits of racing shoes.

Cross border collaboration: from F1 to fashion
In 2025, Adidas announced a partnership with the Mercedes AMG F1 team to launch a joint series that combines racing technology and trendy design. This strategy not only expands the brand’s layout in the high-end sports equipment market, but also reaches the new generation of car enthusiasts through F1’s global influence.

4、 Market Strategy: Resonance between Technology and Culture
Faced with fierce competition in the Chinese market, Adidas has adopted a dual approach of “localization innovation” and “trend transformation”. On the one hand, the plan is to increase the proportion of Chinese original products from 10% to 30% and launch designs that integrate traditional cultural elements; On the other hand, leveraging the celebrity effect (such as Song Yuqi endorsing the Clover series) and social media marketing, we can reshape young consumers’ perception of the brand.

However, brands also face challenges: in the professional sports field, they need to cope with the impact of domestic brands such as ANTA and Xtep, while in the trendy market, they need to continue creating explosive products to maintain their popularity.

5、 Future outlook: A new track of sustainability and intelligence
Adidas is exploring more forward thinking directions:

Sustainable materials: Some product lines have adopted marine plastic recycled materials in response to environmental trends.

Smart wearables: Continuing the intelligent gene of “adidas 1”, in the future, it may combine sensors and AI technology to launch an adaptive cushioning system.

Scene fusion: As shown in the LightBLAZE running shoes, the boundary between racing technology and everyday wear will be further blurred, meeting the demand for “all-weather” 14.

epilogue
Adidas’ success stems from its profound understanding of the essence of “sports” – not only a breakthrough in competition, but also an expression of lifestyle. Whether it’s a racing tool for professional runners or a dressing tool for streetwear trendsetters, Adidas has always taken technology as its backbone and culture as its soul, carving its own three stripes in the evolution history of sports shoes. In the future, this marathon of ‘speed and passion’ will continue.