Among followers of athletic footwear design, Christian Tresser has reached legend status.
In the 1990s, he helped establish important technologies and franchises for Reebok and Nike, before joining Adidas in 2001. During his early years with the German sports giant, he designed for its soccer, running and cycling categories, creating game-changing innovations like the Adizero Crazy Light series.
He now serves as concept director for basketball, helping to fuel the brand’s recent resurgence in the market. As part of a special Adidas 75th anniversary celebration with FN, Tresser looks back on some of his career highlights through the years.
A fateful trip as a teenager:
“At 15 years old, I had the opportunity to tour Germany with my Northern California Select Soccer Team in 1982. My team visited the World Headquarters [of Adidas] in downtown Herzogenaurach and I took a photo of the building. We didn’t get to go inside; however, I left inspired. Many years later, in 2001, I had my job interview in the very building I took a photo of. It was a crazy full-circle moment for me. [As a teenager], I was drawing soccer shoes but didn’t realize footwear design was even a career path. Little did I know this exposure would become a defining moment in my life and ultimately lead to my life’s passion.”
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His biggest hits through the years:
“The 74-06 soccer shoe is easily one of my favorites. It was made for the 2006 World Cup and inspired by the 1974 World Cup in Germany, where Germany finished on top with a game-winning goal from soccer legend Gerd Müller. As far as changing the game, I have to go with the Adizero Crazy Light basketball shoe. It went to market in 2009, tied to Derrick Rose, and totally changed how basketball shoes are designed today.”
Breaking boundaries:
“As a designer, you have to push the limits. If it’s familiar, then you’re not pushing enough. Unfamiliar territory is where success lies.”
What drives him:
“Designing footwear is my passion. I have the freedom to create, challenge conventional standards and think outside of traditional framework. There’s nothing else I’d rather do.”
An athlete visit he’ll never forget:
“Gerd Müller visited the Adidas North American Village headquarters in Portland, Ore., and signed my shoes and 1974 World Cup ball. Epic. As a soccer aficionado, that is a personal highlight for me.”
