UNheardof is following up its popular Piggy Runner series with a new animal-inspired take on the adidas Adistar Control 5. The Cincinnati-based sneaker boutique has unveiled its upcoming Doggy Runner collab, inspired by founder Philip Lipschutz’s dog and longtime companion, Otto. The sneaker celebrates the unbreakable bond between people and their dogs, while shining a light on the impact rescue animals can have on the people who bring them home.
The Piggy Runner Control 5 made its debut at Paris Fashion Week, and now the Doggy Runner gets a similar rollout in New York. The new collaboration was unveiled during a private dinner during New York Fashion Week, where friends and family received early pairs in special NYC-exclusive packaging, and Otto himself quickly became one of the stars of the week.
“Otto became the king of NYFW 2026 but he’s been our best buddy for the last 6 years at UNHEARDOF and in my life,” says Lipschutz. “All the shoes we created with adidas over this incredible journey could have never gotten done with your support and love OTTO! This next chapter is dedicated to all the rescue and adopted dogs in the world. Adopt don’t shop. Otto says so!”
The project carries a deeper message around rescue and adoption. While people often say that we rescue our dogs, anyone who has loved one knows they can rescue us right back. That connection is especially personal for Phil, as Otto became a source of comfort while he revisited difficult family memories through past adidas projects like “Erika’s Poem” and “Grandma’s Couch.” When the pressure became overwhelming, Otto helped Phil slow down, take a breath, and stay grounded.
The Adistar Control 5 gets a major material change for the project, swapping its usual mesh construction for black pony hair across the upper to replicate Otto’s fur, while wrinkled pink pig nubuck on the tongue mimics the texture of Otto’s tongue.
The playful details continue throughout the shoe, including a paw print on the heel, additional paw prints across the toe cap, dog commands embroidered on the inner tongue, “GRRR WOOF” messaging on the lace tips, and custom outsoles with artwork by C.F. Payne. And while dog owners are usually doing everything they can to keep their pups away from their shoes, this pair gives them a reason to want to play with them, thanks to a hidden dog toy inside the pink tongue that actually squeaks when squeezed.
The UNheardof x adidas Adistar Control 5 Doggy Runner “Otto” arrives this holiday season via UNheardof in-store and online. Grab a first look below and stay tuned to Modern Notoriety for updates.
UNheardof x adidas Adistar Control 5 Doggy Runner “Otto”
Release Date: December 2026
Photos via Oscar Castillo:
