Adidas Introduces Highly Compressional Zponge Midsole Technology — But It’ll Be Hard to Get

Adidas is introducing both a spongey new midsole technology and an early access program that rewards its most loyal customers.

As the name suggests, Adidas Zponge is a highly compressional midsole material made out of a hyper-soft and lightweight compound. For its debut, Zponge has been applied at full-length underneath the upper of the Apollo, a track spike from the ’70s, as a shoe intended for lifestyle wear.

A page within the Adidas Confirmed app shows the Zponge in action, compressing dramatically when subject to pressure. While applying to the design philosophy of biometrics, Adidas looked to organisms and ecosystems of the natural world to find the new solution for high comfort, the result being an engineered open-cell midsole. “Every detail, from the ride to the feel,” the brand says, “Has been meticulously crafted to deliver a soft and comfortable experience.”

The Zponge’s debut comes in all black, and a previous leak has showed an additional colorway with a reported 2025 release date. Branding beneath the collar and on the heel come in white, and reflective detailing features on the laces.

Zponge will launch through a new program called Batch 000, which grants early access to “limited-edition creations and non-commercial releases.” AdiClub members can exchange their points for raffle entries to purchase Batch 000 sneakers, and the ability to gain multiple entries rewards Adidas’ most loyal customers.

Each purchase of a Batch 000 sneaker will come with a certificate of authenticity as confirmation of being an early adopter.

The Adidas Zponge is open now for raffle entries, with up to three entries available per person for 100 AdiClub points each. The draw will close on Monday, November 25, and pricing is set at $127. Each pair will also be labeled as a sample.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.