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Recent chatter surrounding adidas has been focused on Pharrell’s latest collaboration, the all-new adidas Adistar Jellyfish. First previewed back during Paris Fashion Week in January and since spotted on the feet of Pharrell and Clipse, the bulbous Adistar Cushion 3-inspired model is finally getting a launch later this week. However, The Three Stripes is still showing love to the OG model as they’ve prepped a project with Detroit-based streetwear brand and retail storefront Puffer Reds.
Founded in December 1979, Puffer Reds originally started as a record store stocking rare and hard-to-find music for crate diggers. Emerging talent and those in the music scene would connect at the shop, though founder Eric Williams Sr. eventually shifted his focus to the sneaker and streetwear scene after hearing the Run-D.M.C. song “My Adidas” in the ‘80s. Since then, it’s served as a place for sneakerheads to congregate and cop the latest drops.
Puffer Reds’ first collaboration with adidas celebrates the retailer’s 45th anniversary and their completion of the adidas Business Track, an initiative launched by adidas and Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design to help community retailers with footwear design experience.
The retailer’s history bleeds through the Adistar Cushion as the upper features a vinyl black finish accented by subtle hits of red and granite, the latter symbolizing the shop’s Wall of Fame. Of course, the city of Detroit is honored on the mesh runner, with the heel featuring 313 and 734, the city's area codes, and the city’s name etched into the sole in Detroit Lions blue. Finishing the sneaker is the grey and red midsole.
“This collaboration honors our history and evolution while spotlighting the community that continues to inspire us,” said James Berry of Puffer Reds. “We are all about community at Puffer Reds, and are proud to have had adidas’ support from the start of our journey through now.”
The Puffer Reds x adidas Adistar Cushion 3 will be released on August 28, 2025, through Puffer Reds online and in-store. Available in men’s sizing, the retail price is set at $150. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via adidas
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy watching films and discovering music. Follow me on Letterboxd @nickvlah For tips, reviews, or any shoes in a size 13, email nick@soleretriever.com
