Comparing the adidas Adistar XLG 2.0 vs Jellyfish: What Makes Them Different?

Did we already see the sneaker of the year 2025 with the adidas Jellyfish model? Designed by Pharrell Williams, the adidas Jellyfish first turned heads at Paris Fashion Week earlier this year before dropping in August and September in the colourways ‘Focus Olive & Orange’, ‘Grey’ and ‘Real Green’. Fast forward a few months, and we’ve got another evolution: the Adistar XLG 2.0 model. Spotted in Las Vegas at ComplexCon in a clean orange–white look, this silhouette takes the futuristic feel of the Jellyfish to another level.

In this article, we’re breaking down what’s different and how the Adistar XLG 2.0 stacks up against the Jellyfish. Let’s dive in…

A closer Look at the Adistar XLG 2.0…

First, let’s take a look at the new Adistar XLG design: The sneaker can be seen as a slightly less extreme version of the Jellyfish. The Adistar XLG 2.0 replaces the bulky, wavy 3D overlays with more subtle ones. There are still somewhat bold TPU overlays over a mesh base, complemented by clean Three Stripes branding.

The first revealed colourway strongly resembles the ‘Focus Olive & Orange’ colourway in which the Jellyfish made its debut. Wavy overlays, geometric Three Stripes branding, and a chunky sole come together to form a simplified interpretation of the new model. The chunky midsole of the Adistar XLG 2.0 also features an extended heel section, while classic oval laces round off the look.

Comparing the adidas Adistar XLG 2.0 ‘Solar Orange’ (HQ7468) with the Pharrell Williams x adidas Jellyfish ‘Focus Olive & Orange’ (JP9261)

First off, both models naturally come with a chunky design, featuring a thick sole and a mesh upper reinforced with various overlays. The Three Stripes are also similar in design on both the Adistar XLG and the Jellyfish. That’s about it for the main similarities.

The Jellyfish, designed in collaboration with Pharrell Williams, is a bit more… out there. Pharrell is known for pushing boundaries with his designs, and the Jellyfish reflects that. It’s bigger, bolder, and packed with unique touches. The sneaker draws inspiration from classic retro models like the Adistar Cushion and the Response CL, so both shoes share a similar heritage. The sole of the Jellyfish looks like a blown-up version of the Cushion’s. The Adistar XLG has a similarly shaped midsole, but it’s slightly slimmer, less chunky, and features fewer details.

The Jellyfish’s upper is reinforced with 3D TPU panels, giving it an organic, almost jellyfish-like vibe. The Adistar XLG, by contrast, keeps things calmer and more subtle. What really makes the Jellyfish special, though, are the little personal details Pharrell added, from a nod to his Virginia roots with a special logo to the playful ‘Jellyfish’ text on the tongue and insole. Even the laces stand out more. They’re thicker and more of a visual feature than on the Adistar XLG.

Check out the images for a direct comparison, and we’ve also included a table to give you a clear overview of the differences.

Feature:	adidas Adistar XLG 2.0:	Pharrell Williams x adidas Jellyfish:
Design	Chunky, mesh upper with subtle TPU overlays	Chunky, mesh upper with bold 3D TPU overlays and a lot of details
Overlays	Subtle, calm, simplified	Wavy, organic, jellyfish-like, bold
Midsole	Thick but slightly slimmer, less chunky, fewer details	Chunky, blown-up Cushion-style, more dramatic
Cushioning	Comfortable, responsive, slightly firmer	Soft, plush, exaggerated retro feel
Three Stripes	Clean, geometric	Geometric, more pronounced
Laces	Classic oval, understated	Thick, visually prominent
Special Details	Minimal, retro vibes, overlays and Three Stripes	wavy and bold accents, personal touches by Pharrell Williams
Overall Vibe	Sleek, feels like a modernised, more quiet version of Jellyfish	Bold, expressive, statement-making

How about the Drop Date?

As of now, adidas hasn’t officially announced the adidas Adistar XLG 2.0 or its release date. That said, the sneaker is expected to drop in the ‘Solar Orange’ colourway in February 2026 and we also got the official images already. We’ve also caught a glimpse of a second, almost all-black colourway, which could launch around the same time.

Check out the images and make sure to follow The Drop Date release calendar as well as our socials to stay fully up to date on all upcoming adidas Adistar XLG 2.0 releases. Exciting times ahead…

IMAGE CREDITS: higherlxng / upscale_vandal / adidas

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