Highsnobiety
Double Tap to Zoom

The adidas adiSTAR Cushion is a quintessential dad shoe: a comfortable, cushioned running shoe that fell into the hands of middle-aged men hunting for comfortable, cushioned sneakers in the early 2010s. However, you wouldn’t know this from looking at its upcoming atmos collaboration.

The Japanese retailer has taken adidas’ old-school sports shoe and given it a new lease of life. In fact, it’s made the shoe look borderline futuristic. 

Unlike most adiSTAR Cushion sneakers currently available on the adidas website, which lean into the shoe’s elderly looks through predominantly neutral grey or white colorways, atmos has opted for something a little bolder. 

The collaborative shoe’s mesh base has a dark blue gradient print, putting the focus on sporty, wavy-shaped overlays that run the length of the sneaker (and are also decorated with gradient coloring). 

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

Combine this excess of blue gradient prints with hits of metallic and reflective detailing and the atmos adiSTAR Cushion is an eye-catching twist on a retro runner.

This blue-colored refresh is inspired by the color of the dawn sky in Harajuku, Japan (where atmos’ headquarters are based) and it arrives online on adidas Japan and the Atmos website on May 25.

At a time when re-issued, old-school athletic shoes continue to attract hype (ASICS x Kiko and New Balance, I’m looking at you), it’s surprising that the adidas adiSTAR Cushion hasn’t received more fanfare since being reissued. 

Your Highsnobiety privacy settings have blocked this Instagram post.

Maybe, with the right collaborations, it will be propelled into the limelight more. And teaming up with Atmos, one of adidas' most reliable collaborators, on this limited-edition colorway is certainly a good starting point. 

We Recommend
  • adidas’ New Skate Sneaker Is a VHS-Flavored ‘90s Dad Shoe 
  • How to Choose the Right Running Shoes for You
  • Yohji Yamamoto Dressed an All-Powerful adidas Running Shoe In Luxe Leather
  • adidas' Reborn Running Shoe Makes Ghosting Look Great (& Flat)
  • adidas' Flat Training Shoe Is Now Silky (& Extremely Girlcore)
What To Read Next
  • Rediscovering Ancient Japanese Bagmaking Craft
  • No Mixer Needed: How Anderson .Paak Is Crafting Music’s Next Gen With Jameson Distilled Sounds
  • adidas' Caramel-Coated a Skate Shoe Is a Literal Snack
  • Vans' Hairy Skate Shoe Is a Sweater You Can Thrash
  • What Does It Say That Even the King of Giant Shoes Has Gone Flat?
  • A Memento of AMOMENTO’s Crisp Classic Clothing