Williams is the first to collaborate with the brand on the Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, a carbon plate running shoe that stands as the brand’s most innovative and high-tech sneaker. It’s being laced up by plenty of Adidas athletes at the games this year, but it’s also a popular sneaker for hobbyists and folks training for their first marathon. The shoe’s universal reach is part of what drew Williams to add his touch to it. “My mission is to encourage well-being, and this sneaker allows me to do that,” he said. “I’m constantly inspired by the world and humanity around me, and that comes through in the colorway.”
Bolade Banjo
One might expect a pair of Pharrell-designed runners to be a little more bombastic, but he kept it simple and thoughtful when it came time to design the colorway. Honing in on the global nature of the event (the colorway is literally dubbed ‘Earth’ by Williams and the stripes), Williams draws attention to the multicolored stripes–green, blue, and black–adorning the shoe’s simple white upper and sole. “[It’s] shades pulled from our planet; land, ocean, and sky,” he explained.
Beyond the special colorway commemorating the event, the shoe boasts all the state-of-the-art innovation you’d expect from a carbon plate running shoe. The plate itself (a popular innovation in long-distance running shoes these days that provides an explosive stride without compromising stability) is encased in a sole made from the brand’s special Lightstrike Foam, providing a durable cushion and smooth stride transition from heel to toe. It comes in at an ultra-light 138 grams, doing away with any unnecessary bulk or weight–crucial when you’re clocking 26.2 miles at a time.
Bolade Banjo
For those looking to lace up a pair of the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1’s black and white general release colorway, the shoe is currently available on the Adidas website for $500. Release details for the Pharrell Williams ‘Earth’ colorway remain forthcoming.
