The latest adidas ASU exclusive shoe has dropped and it may look familiar to fans.
The Ultra4D Sun Devils is the fifth shoe ASU and adidas have partnered on. It is a remake of the Ultra Boost 1.0, the first shoe produced in ASU colors celebrating the first year of the partnership.
The updated version has the look of the 2016 Ultra Boost 1.0 with the 4D technology of 2021.
"This particular shoe is based on a shoe they did for us the very first year of our partnership that was incredibly popular," Senior Associate Athletics Director for Marketing Becky Parke said. "So ,we are excited to see how our fans react to getting it back because a lot of people felt like they missed out."
A maroon and gold Primeknit, tuned for high comfort and breathability, make up the upper. The classic three stripes of Adidas appear in black with a maroon cage surrounding the stripes. A gold external heel has the Ultra 4D branding in maroon.
All of this sits on top of a 3D printed 4D midsole. New technology allows for light and oxygen to craft the midsole. Then based on years of athlete data the midsole has been precisely tuned for controlled energy return.
ASU was just one of two schools to receive its colorway in the Ultra 4D.
"It just highlights the fact that we are a priority for them and they see ASU as a big partner and potential for ASU to have the kind of reach they are looking for to help their company," Parke said.
Other shoes ASU and Adidas have partnered on include: an all gold Ultraboost 1.0 DNA, which dropped in the fall of 2020, a maroon Supernova which dropped in the Spring of 2021 and is still available for purchase on the adidas website, and a white based Ultraboost 21 with maroon and gold accents which dropped in August which is also still available for purchase on the adidas website.
The white based Ultraboost 21 was a collaborative effort by both creative teams at Adidas and ASU. The tongue of the shoe features an image of Sparky while the back flag features Sparky's pitchfork. Forks Up can also be found on the inside of the shoe.
"We do have a little bit of creative direction," Parke said. "So, they (Adidas) come up with the concept and send it to us and tell us these are the absolutes but if there is a different logo you want to use they let us do that."
ASU partnered with Adidas in 2015 and have continued to grow the partnership beyond just athletic wear.
"It's a very comprehensive partnership. It's not just uniforms on the field. We have partnerships with the Global Sport Institute. We work with them on strategies and tactics that are important to both of us" Parke said.
"They have a big focus on sustainability and that's a big thing for ASU as well. We go into every year and talk about our priorities, what the priorities are for them and how we can align."
The Ultra 4D Sun Devils display the commitment to sustainability by both ASU and Adidas. The shoe is prime green which is a series of high performance recycled materials. 60% of the shoe is made with recycled content.
The shoe became available on September 23 via the CONFIRMED app. Afterwards, it will be sold on the Adidas website and select retailers.
"There are some crazy resell values on the original shoes currently and we think there will be a lot of people who will be excited to see these back on the market," Parke said.
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