• Built specifically for hybrid fitness racing, the Adizero Dropset Elite sees two of adidas’ leading footwear innovations – Adizero and Dropset – unite to offer speed and stability in one shoe
• Developed for and alongside some of the sport’s leading athletes, the shoe made its debut in Melbourne as Tim Wenisch secured victory in the HYROX Elite 15 Male Singles in December 2025
• It will be worn by elite hybrid athletes throughout the season with the brand-new design set to become available for ambitious hybrid athletes from March 18th

adidas today unveils a new era of performance footwear with the launch of the Adizero Dropset Elite – its first dual-purpose fitness racing shoe. Fusing the best of its speed-focused Adizero and functional strength-training Dropset range, the brand-new design is built to deliver both running speed and controlled stability for functional movements, empowering athletes to excel at every station and stride. 

“Hybrid fitness racing is surging in popularity, but athletes have been forced to compromise between the cushioning and energy return of a running shoe and the stability and support of a training shoe,” said Aimee Arana, Global SVP & GM adidas Sportswear & Training. “We’ve eliminated that compromise by integrating the proven technology in our speed-focused Adizero line – known for helping athletes secure over 200 race wins and 29 world records – with the best-in-class technology seen in our Dropset range, which has fuelled victories at some of the biggest cross-functional fitness stages in the world and is worn by top athletes across sports for their training routines. This combination has resulted in a product that delivers pace and power in one shoe for this new era of athletic performance.”

The industry-defining footwear was born from intensive research and development at adidas’ state-of-the-art Innovation Lab in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Central to its creation was a deep collaboration with leading athletes, including two-time HYROX world champion Tim Wenisch, along with elite competitors including Graham Halliday, Ella Wilkinson, Fabian Eisenlauer, Jana Lebenstedt, and Jennifer Muir. Months of invaluable racing insights directly informed every aspect of the shoe’s design – including grip that performs on carpet, speed-optimization and the stability required for demanding functional movements such as wall balls.

The adidas Adizero Dropset Elite features: 

• Lightstrike Pro foam: As seen in the fast-focused Adizero range, the engine of the shoe is fine-tuned for an ultra-light feel and built to deliver energy return – engineered for those seeking next level speed.
• Energy Rim: Optimized for hybrid racing, the energy rim sits around the perimeter of the shoe, designed to guide foot motion and deliver additional stability under the heel and rear foot – crucial for stations like wall balls. 
• Continental™ rubber: The high-traction rubber outsole is designed specifically for hybrid racing with a thin layer of Continental™ rubber applied in a diamond-pattern. This is strategically placed on the outsole to deliver a confident grip and controlled transitions on varied surfaces including carpet, so athletes can stay locked in throughout their sled push and pulls.
• Engineered geometry: The shoe’s geometry, featuring an elevated 12mm heel drop, is purpose-built to help promote a more biomechanically optimized body position, enabling athletes to move more efficiently through stations like wall balls and sandbag lunges. 
• Footadapt sockliner: As seen in the Dropset 4 – Footadapt supports control of the body’s movement by increasing foot awareness during functional stations and runs. 

The shoe has already been worn to victory by Tim Wenisch in the HYROX Elite 15 Male Singles in Melbourne last year – with many of adidas’ leading hybrid athletes set to wear it throughout the course of the season. Speaking on the shoe, two-time HYROX world champion Tim Wenisch said: “When wearing the adidas Adizero Dropset Elite, I feel fast, stable, and in control. The grip is great and I feel supported throughout the race. This shoe unlocks a whole new level of confidence for me on the course. With it, I’m more determined than ever to defend my title and become the back-to-back World Champion in Stockholm later this year.”

This launch comes as part of adidas’ wider commitment to hybrid fitness events following the announcement of a long-term partnership with its official hybrid competition partner – ATHX. Following a successful run in the UK, the two will bring the “Ultimate Fitness Experience” to additional locations over the next few months.

The Adizero Dropset Elite will become available for ambitious hybrid athletes from March 18^th for €275 via https://www.adidas.com/training-shoes.

Adizero Dropset Elite – FAQ’s

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