adidas Originals Recodes Sneaker Culture, One Shoe At A Time
Looking good and feeling good—these are the two halves that make up any iconic fashion moment. adidas knows this, and has built its new campaign, Redefine the Code, around this ethos—celebrating collective individuality through its signature functional style. Using its unique position as an athletic giant to create streetwear essentials that feel dynamic and cutting-edge, adidas is working to challenge our preconceptions of what lifestyle footwear and apparel can really be.
Planned around the adistar Control 5, the reissue of one of adidas' most iconic 2000s sneakers, Redefine the Code speaks to the moment when your personal style awakens by participating in a communal activity, when the urge to fit into a like-minded group meets the natural desire to forge your own creative path. Launched in 1976, the adistar range fits this vibe perfectly, as its high-end performance features (like interchangeable studs and long distance stability) are repackaged into a more lifestyle-focused design that continues to inspire sneaker culture to this day.
The adistar Control 5, originally released in 2008, made a comeback in 2025, updated for a new generation just as obsessed with ‘00s fashion cues as they are with modernized performance features. The shoe’s archival design featuring, of course, the three stripes running down the side of its breathable mesh exterior, is speckled with a very Y2K metallic gray coloring. Its snug fit—due to its lightweight and padded upper—and its Formotion heel unit, keep the shoe stable and comfortable. It’s a masterclass on how to blend in while standing out, which is what Redefine the Code is all about.
Running and street culture aren’t at odds—in fact, they draw on the same elements of fashion knowledge, sneaker geekery, and desire to stay on top of all the latest trends. Redefine the Code is the ultimate representation of the cross-section of these two scenes, and the adistar Control 5, recoded for this new wave of athletic-inspired sneakerheads, is the shoe to kick it all off.
Check out adidas Originals on Zalando by clicking here.
