Marking Puffer Reds’ Completion of adidas Business Track Program

 adidas in collaboration with metro Detroit-based streetwear institution Puffer Reds unveils the Puffer Reds Track 45 adistar, inspired by the retailer’s rich musical heritage and multi-generational cultural impact. 

The collaboration serves as the pinnacle of Puffer Reds’ journey through the adidas Business Track, an initiative launched in partnership with Detroit’s own Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design to empower community-rooted retailers with end-to-end, hands-on experience in footwear design and innovation.

Puffer Reds has remained at the intersection of style, culture, and community in Detroit and Ypsilanti for decades. Evoking the brand’s heritage as one of Detroit’s most renowned record shops, the Puffer Reds adistar arrives with vinyl finishes, a red and granite upper that symbolizes the shop’s Wall of Fame, and vintage audio motifs on the sockliner. Subtle elements woven in, like 313 and 734 area codes on the heel and a “Detroit” etched into the sole in Lions blue highlight Puffer Reds’ regional pride. 

“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.” 

Ken Allen added, “Through Business Track, our team was able to come together and celebrate our legacy while gaining the tools to elevate it to new heights. We look forward to taking what we learned during the process to continue uplifting Puffer Reds and the community while expanding our footprint in the industry.”

To elevate the launch, Puffer Reds will transform the store into a real-life time capsule featuring legacy artifacts on display. This exhibition experience charts an immersive path through the eras that shaped Puffer Reds history, offering an intimate look into the adistar’s inspiration. 

Celebrations will culminate in an evening launch party at Diamondback Music Hall hosted in partnership with adidas Cornerstone Community, featuring live performances from notable local talent—a nod to Puffer Reds’ roots in Detroit’s music scene and its commitment to championing homegrown artists.

The adidas x Puffer Reds adistar will be available on August 28 at both Puffer Reds, and online at pufferreds.com for $150. Each pair purchased on launch day will also include a ticket to the launch celebration at Diamondback Music Hall.