Originally developed by NASA in the 1960s, the Space Blanket is comprised of a thin sheet of stretched polyethylene terephthalate that’s coated with a metallic reflecting agent that allows it to reflect as much as 97% of radiated heat. And though this technology was originally developed for use in aerospace applications., Space Blankets — or Mylar, recovery, or emergency blankets — has since been widely adopted by running and marathon circles. For its latest footwear launch, adidas is embracing the use of the Space Blanket in the running community with a reflective silver-clad version of the Originals ZX 9000.
Part of the German activewear brand’s revived A-ZX range, this new variant has been born out of a collaborative effort with Boston-based streetwear outfit, CONCEPTS, and celebrates the fashion label’s hometown marathon. As such, the running shoes sport highly-reflective foiled silver leather uppers complemented via translucent TPU overlays, red, white, and blue triple stripes, and multi-color CONCEPTS and A-ZX-branded laces. Sold in a commemorative all-white AZ-X box, the adidas Originals ZX 9000 CONCEPTS are slated for a release on September 12, with pricing set at $140.
