Adidas trainers are about to be taken on the excursion of a lifetime.
The German sportswear brand has announced a multi-year partnership with the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory, which will mark the first time that any footwear innovation will be tested without the distraction of gravity.
Adidas will work with the Lab and the technologies it's developed with NASA to test its Boost technology outside of the confines of Earth.
The thought process behind the trial is that by taking the trainers to the optimum extreme, their performance and comfort levels will be tested to the max.
The designs are expected to head up to space as early as next year and will be tested by astronauts on board the station.
Adidas, which was founded in 1949, has also sent footballs up in to space to better understand the characteristics of flight without the inclusion of gravity.
Vice-president of brand strategy for Adidas, James Carnes, explained: “Working with the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory and CASIS — one of the most advanced facilities in the world — will help Adidas set new standards in performance innovation. This partnership not only allows us to co-create improvements to sport performance but to explore processes and design that could be applicable to adidas’ dedicated efforts in sustainability as well.”
The news follows just a matter of weeks after Under Armour unveiled its space suits designed for Virgin Galactic's space flights, which are expected to launch next year.
