To celebrate the return of one adidas’ most beloved runners, we’re doing a deep dive into the ZX 8000.
History
The adidas ZX line debuted in the mid ‘80s, helmed by designers Markus Thaler and Jacques Chassaing. Thaler, who passed away in 2024, was one of the last adidas figures who worked alongside Adi Dassler himself. Meanwhile, Chassaing also had a hand in adidas’ basketball legacy, designing the Forum in 1984. Both Thaler and Chassaing are credited with revolutionising modern running shoes with the ZX line.
The series debuted with triple-digit models like the ZX 500. Launching in 1989, the ZX 8000 was part of the line’s second wave and its massive technological push. The 8000 featured the Torsion System, a lightweight TPU arch support which runs beneath the EVA foam midsole. The Torsion System is still found on adidas models today.
Classic sneakers are never just known for their intended purpose, their known for their place in subculture. The ZX 8000 was a staple of the rave culture that took over the UK in the late ‘80s, particularly the Madchester sound. The Torsion System and EVA midsole made this the perfect shoe to dance in, and the iconic OG ‘Aqua’ colourway definitely helped the shoe stand out.
Back home in Germany, the ZX 8000’s release also coincided with the fall of the Berlin Wall. With sneaker culture spreading through former East Germany, the shoe had a massive impact and quickly became a status symbol. This had a big influence on sneakerheads like Marc Leuschner, a keen ZX collector and the CEO of Berlin’s legendary sneaker store Overkill, a key pillar of the adidas Consortium network.
AZX
In 2009, adidas paid tribute to the ZX line with the AZX series. These AZX pairs were a series of limited collaborations with fan-favourite outfits, including Crooked Tongues, Wood Wood, and, of course, Overkill. This all led up to the FINAL AZX, designed by Thaler and Chassaing themselves. This wasn’t an actual release, but a concept shoe, made as a testament to the legacy of the designers and their innovations on the ZX series.
2020s
You could always count on the ZX line to stick around in some form, but the 8000 itself has had a big push in the last few years. In 2024, the ZX 8000 was the centrepiece of the adidas Consortium Cup’s semi-final. This was a face-off between two UK retailers, with Newcastle’s END Clothing presenting the sci-fi dystopia-themed ZX 8000 ‘Future’, while London’s Offspring paid tribute to their hometown with a muted, concrete aesthetic. Offspring also teamed up with MITA Sneakers in 2025 for a joint ZX collab inspired by London and Tokyo.
Now, adidas are kicking off 2026 with two massive January releases. First off is the Made in Germany ‘Lucid Aquamarine’ pair, which adds an extra level of craftsmanship to the beloved model.
But the big event is the release of the FINAL AZX. Dubbed the JC & MT, this release actually features two colourways. The first is based on the original 2009 concept, featuring a premium, buttery smooth yellow leather upper. This contrasts with the classic aqua tones on the midsole.
The other pair completely swaps things around, with an aqua upper on a yellow midsole. This pair was originally based on an idea from Chassaing, intending to bring the shoe back to its technical roots. The blue upper features the ZX’s iconic, shimmering pinstripe mesh, with a completely remodelled tongue. To learn more, check out this video from Overkill, featuring Jacques Chassaing, Marc Leuschner, and Markus Walter Thaler (son of the late Markus Thaler).
Both pairs drop exclusively at Overkill on 17 January, with additional releases rumoured later in the month. Keep an eye out for more ZX releases this year, including collabs from atmos, Civilist, and Pokémon.
