Yohji Yamamoto always brings a sense of the avant-garde to adidas through their collaborative Y-3 project. The Japanese designer’s use of all-black colorways, fluid silhouettes and refined details gives traditional performance and sportswear a bit of progressive kick. More recently, that’s been extended into the world of running.

This latest drop is part two of Y-3’s latest foray into running, and follows the footwear release that arrived earlier this year. For those who already copped the running shoes, you can now complete the look with a range of apparel for men and women that includes running shorts, tops and jackets. All in black, of course.

Using a combination of adidas’ high-performance technologies like AEROREADY, HEAT.RDY and WIND.RDY (note: tech materials don’t always have to be in all caps but it does look cool), the pieces are lightweight and will keep you focused on the task at hand i.e. running. There are flowy long-distance shorts with moisture-absorbing properties, high-support bras with stretch, and Adizero sleeves that can block out the sun or the cold.

Completing the collection are women’s shorts and tops, men’s T-shirts and vests, leggings and socks. Basically, everything you need in your running closet. Bold “Y-3 ADIZERO” type is blazoned across many of the pieces, and Yamamoto’s signature adds a smaller detail in more concealed places.

In addition to all this, and in a way that seems effortless and not at all showy, the whole collection is made in part with recycled materials. There is plenty of recycled nylon and polyester in use here: at least 70% in most cases.

Is it avant-garde to use recycled materials? Well, maybe it still is in 2023. But it’s worth saying that these sort of Earth-friendly innovations shouldn’t be limited to the more progressive and pioneering projects. Wouldn’t it be nice to read the description of any product from any everyday brand and casually see “made in part with recycled materials”? Oh, how we dream.

The adidas Y-3 First Performance Running collection is set to release early September, on the adidas website and CONFIRMED app.