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UNheardof and adidas continue to stretch the boundaries of sneaker collaboration with the Adistar Control 5 “Piggy Runner 2.0,” a follow-up that leans deeper into personal storytelling and intentional weirdness. The project, which debuted during Paris Fashion Week, reflects founder Philip Lipschutz’s approach to sneakers as emotional artifacts rather than trend-driven products.
Based in Cincinnati, UNheardof has built its identity around narrative-led footwear that blurs the line between nostalgia, humor, and vulnerability. Lipschutz has been open about using the Piggy Runner series to explore personal themes, including childhood memories, outsider identity, and self-acceptance, transforming the shoe into a vehicle for individual expression rather than mass appeal.
The Adistar Control 5 “Piggy Runner 2.0” takes the original design to new heights with its bold color palette. The upper boasts a lively jelly-bean green that’s beautifully complemented by vibrant pink accents on the Three Stripes made with reflective 3M on the medial and pony hair on the lateral.
This silhouette pays homage to the early 2000s running shoe aesthetic, featuring chunky midsole lines, a thoughtfully structured cage, and layered mesh. Throughout the design, playful nods to the pig theme are evident, including the mascot on the tongue and insoles, as well as stitched eyes on the heel.
The Paris special box enhances the collaboration, elevating it beyond typical retail packaging. This special-edition box gives the Piggy Runner the distinctive personality that Lipschutz has envisioned. The bright apple-green box showcases Pork Chop in the center, proudly wearing a red adidas beret, surrounded by floral details and macarons.
That emphasis on storytelling through presentation mirrors what we previously saw with the UNheardof x adidas Adistar Cushion 3 “Pork Chop Piggy Runners,” where narrative framing helped recontextualize a performance runner into something more expressive and emotionally charged. In both cases, the shoe operates less as a product and more as a character within Lipschutz’s larger creative universe.
The UNheardof x adidas Adistar Control 5 “Piggy Runner 2.0” is expected to release in late Spring 2026 at UNheardof in Cincinnati and on the UNheardof website. Check out the shoe below and stay tuned to Modern Notoriety for more.
UNheardof x adidas Adistar Control 5 “Piggy Runner 2.0”
Color: Green/Light Pink
Style Code: KJ8358
Release Date: Spring 2026
