Kawasaki teams up with Adidas for fresh kicks

An unlikely collaboration between Kawasaki and Adidas will please both sneakerheads and motorcyclists, with the new ZX 5K BOOST kicks celebrating the iconic ZX moniker.

Inspired by the latest Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, the Adidas Originals sneakers take cues from the Japanese motorcycle firm’s recognizable design philosophy and colour palette.

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The Adidas ZX 5K BOOST sneaker boasts a “Black TPU overlay and eye stays, Kawasaki green accents, a semi-transparent Black ripstop vamp, and a Kawasaki Ninja logo on the toe-box”.

Also featured on the unique shoe is “electroplated lace tips, shoe jewellery and heel pieces”. It also comes with co-branded sock liners and is packaged in a custom box with a printed graphic of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R.

In addition to the ZX 5K BOOST, Adidas is also releasing a Ninja-inspired ZX 8000 sneaker that offers a brighter, retro-styled look. It features a neon green and blue colourway that is reminiscent of classic Ninja models.

Kawasaki and Adidas are not complete strangers to each other – the Z sportsbike moniker supposably served as inspiration for the Adidas design team when the original ZX500 sneaker was introduced in 1984.

The launch of the sneakers will be accompanied by a unique film campaign paying homage to Japanese motorbike and street culture.

Arriving on April 14, 2022, the collaborative Kawasaki sneakers will be available globally in Adidas stores, online, and in selected retailers. The shoes will also be available in Australia through Kawasaki’s online store, however they won’t be sold in Kawasaki dealerships.

The Adidas website currently has the Kawasaki ZX 5K BOOST sneakers listed at $280 and the ZX 8000 at $200. We were unable to confirm if those prices are ride away or plus on-road costs.