COMPARED: Pharrell Williams x adidas Jellyfish vs. adidas Adistar XLG 2.0 Squid

Have we really gone back to 2017? Trends in the fashion world shifted from the big, clunky dad shoes (a la the Balenciaga Triple S) that were pervasive in the late 2010s to sporty mesh runners from the Y2K era. But now, it seems we’re going back in time once more. Thanks to Pharrell Williams, the chunky dad shoe aesthetic has returned, and his new silhouette with adidas, the Adistar Jellyfish, is a contender for Sneaker of the Year. Each pair of the $300 enlarged Adistar Cushion 3 sells out on release day and garners major premiums on the aftermarket, and adidas knows this. That’s why they’ve introduced the more affordable and accessible adidas Adistar XLG 2.0, better known as the adidas Squid. But what’s different about the Jellyfish and the Squid?

Differences Between the adidas Jellyfish and adidas Squid

Off the bat, we should say it’s pretty ironic that the Jellyfish is the premium sneaker while the Squid is the takedown, considering the latter is the larger of the two animals. That’s beside the point, let’s break down the differences between the two.

Collab

First, the Jellyfish is a collaborative sneaker with Pharrell Williams and features branding for his new Virginia creative label, while the Squid is an inline adidas sneaker. With this, there will be far fewer Jellyfish colorways than the Squid to keep the Pharrell silhouette elevated.

Overlays

Another major difference is the overlays. While both sneakers come with sprawling TPU overlays, the Jellyfish’s panels are actually three-dimensional and jet off the upper. Compare that to the flat, slightly raised overlays on the Squid, and you’ll see how it makes the Jellyfish more premium and adds extra depth to the design.

Retail Price

The price of both sneakers is vastly different. Pharrell’s adidas Jellyfish comes in at a retail price of $300, while the Adistar XLG 2.0 (aka adidas Squid) is priced at a moderate $150. (Note, the picture above of the Squid shows END. Clothing's retail page, which is higher than the actual U.S. retail price)

Availability

Pharrell’s Jellyfish is quite limited, with each release only dropping at a handful of retailers, adidas, and Pharrell’s own website. On the other hand, the Squid will be a general release sneaker available at big box retailers like JD Sports and local mom and pop shops.

Similarities Between the adidas Jellyfish and adidas Squid

Sole Unit

Both the Jellyfish and Squid come with large, exaggerated sole units that are derived from the adidas Adistar Cushion 3. The same molded design, Adiprene branding, and foam construction are found on both sneakers. This even extends to the outsole, featuring the same traction pattern with suction cup-like pods around the edge of the rubber. Although they are both the same design, the proportions are ever so slightly different, but virtually the same across the sole unit.

General Shape

Of course, the general shape of the sneaker is also similar. Like the sole unit, the proportions are slightly different, but when viewed side by side, it's clear to see they both come from the same DNA. As mentioned above, the paneling is also very similar, with the placement being nearly identical.

Release Info

Pharrell’s adidas Adistar Jellyfish releases sporadically, and colorways are pretty limited. Next up are the Triple Black, Blue, and Earth Brown pairs. Exact dates are not known at this time, but we’ll keep you updated on the Sole Retriever mobile app in real-time.

As for the XLG 2.0 (aka adidas Squid), the model will roll out in a variety of color schemes over the coming months. There hasn’t been a US drop yet, but in Europe, JD Sports is currently selling a few colorways and other retailers have pairs in stock. Expect a US release in the coming weeks.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts and catching the latest movies. Email: nick@soleretriever.com