adidas has just started the countdown. But, not in the way that you think that the brand with the Three Stripes will skyrocket into oblivion. For starters, adidas has a new silhouette to launch. And, it just looks all grown-up. For this latest project, the Herzogenaurach-based company has teamed up with the International Space Station—with the ISS US National Lab to be more precise.

For this great and serious collaboration, several colourways will be representing this great venture, which not only show killer updates to the silhouette, but also essential features.

But, let’s talk a bit about the background first. The International Space Station (ISS) is currently the only permanently manned space station that floats in the Earth’s orbit. Several astronauts bound by weightlessness are experimenting on something important there at the moment. This was given light when adidas recently announced a remarkable project with the ISS. They wanted to test their BOOST technology under zero weight in order to further improve it. 

The result of the experiment is definitely something to be proud of. The first new releases include the ISS US National Lab x adidas Ultra Boost 20 "Solar Red" and the ISS US National Lab x adidas Ultra Boost 20 "Core Black". To begin with, both models show a completely different upper.

The "Solar Red" shows a bright red for the Primeknit upper. Almost every other feature like the upper, laces, cage, and heel are immersed in "Solar Red" except for the new Boost sole. adidas has completely abandoned the classic white colourway and instead now uses a shimmering blue hue. This makes the sneakers appear as if they come from a strange faraway galaxy.

The "Core Black", on the other hand, has a more classic look. Since the upper material comes in black and the Boost sole in white, the ISS US National Lab x adidas Ultra Boost 20 "Core Black" shows a rather clean look. Due to the shimmering blue gradient on the three stripes and heel, the sneakers look remarkably futuristic.

In addition, both sneakers have a nylon heel, which comes with additional padding. To recognize the collaboration, adidas has created special tongue patches with the words "ISS Nation Lab" on them as well as printed insoles with co-brandings.

Not only the style is new, but also the technical details come with some noteworthy updates. adidas has optimized the Boost sole, making each step ultra-comfortable with its improved cushioning. There are no weight updates, however, but we are assuming that the sneakers will be much lighter.

In addition, the shoe comes with a Stretchweb technology on the outsole, which works completely well with the Continental outsole. Finally, adidas has added a torsion spring to the Ultraboost 20 that further improves the grip of the sneakers.

Both sneakers look totally weird, that much we can say. And, the "Solar Red" no doubt looks very conspicuous while the "Core Black" looks like something you may have already seen on the streets. adidas combines several styles though to make the two iterations unique. In the next few days, more colourways are about to drop. Check out our release calendar. There, you can get a closer look of all colourways.