Adidas has always been a dependable brand. The trusty sneaker has very rarely disappointed and now they’ve revealed that they’re going the extra mile to space, where they will test footwear for the very first time.
This November, Adidas announced its multi-year partnership with the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory, managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space – CASIS, to explore the boundaries of product innovation, human performance and sustainability.
As part of the deal, Adidas is going to add that extra-terrestrial ingredient to improve future design and engineering for athletes on and off Earth.
The initial phase of the partnership will focus on innovation, and with the support of the ISS National Lab and technologies developed by NASA, Adidas will become the first brand to test footwear innovation in the extreme conditions of space.
The brand’s boost technology is scheduled to be tested without the influence of gravity – which according to Adidas – could help the performance and comfort of existing models.
James Carnes, Vice President of Brand Strategy for Adidas, said: “Working with the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory and CASIS – one of the most advanced facilities in the world – will help adidas set new standards in performance innovation. This partnership not only allows us to co-create improvements to sport performance but to explore processes and design that could be applicable to adidas’ dedicated efforts in sustainability as well.”
But that’s not all. Adidas are hoping to learn from astronauts and and see how their strenuous training regimen can help athletes as well. In future phases, the brand also plans to research elements such as human performance and sustainability while leveraging the space station.
