adidas Built the Adizero Dropset Elite for True Hybrid Fitness Training

adidas has a fire lit under it. As it continues to dominate fields like football ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament, the German sportswear juggernaut has carefully considered less-visible disciplines to continue carrying out its founder's vision: developing the most advanced equipment for athletes.

The brand's latest effort has landed on the world of HYROX with the introduction of the Adizero Dropset Elite, a silhouette the company is touting as its first-ever "truly hybrid fitness shoe."

Cross-training footwear isn't new, but historically, offerings have done one thing better than the other, leaving wearers with the sensation that they're missing out on some performance benefit. The Three Stripes' latest design aims to solve for this, blending two different technologies that've proved themselves in their respective fields.

As suggested by its name, the Adizero Dropset Elite features two technological platforms that've helped countless athletes reach personal bests across racing and lifting: Adizero and Dropset, respectively. The shoe's build promises top-end running speeds and controlled stability for functional movements, ensuring athletes excel at every station.

Tech specs included in the HYROX-ready silhouette are as follows:

The adidas Adizero Dropset Elite features:

• LIGHTSTRIKE PRO Foam: As seen in the fast-focused Adizero running range, the engine of the shoe is fine-tuned for an ultra-light feel and built to deliver optimal energy return
• Energy Rim: Optimized for hybrid racing, it sits around the perimeter of the shoe, designed to guide foot motion and deliver additional stability under the heel and rear foot, which is crucial for stations like wall balls
• Continental™ Rubber: A diamond-patterned high-traction rubber outsole designed specifically for hybrid racing and capable of transitioning well between varied surfaces
• Engineered Geometry: The shoe’s geometry, featuring an elevated 12 millimeter heel-to-toe drop, is purpose-built to help promote a more bio-mechanically optimized body position, enabling athletes to move more efficiently through training stations
• 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

"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," shared 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 [fueled] 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."

Tim Wenisch has already showcased what the Adizero Dropset Elite can do by securing victory in the HYROX Elite 15 Male Singles hosted in Melbourne in December 2025.

The Adizero Dropset Elite will become available to the public via adidas.com on Wednesday, March 18.

For more performance footwear news, read about Nike's ultra-cushioned Vomero Premium.