adidas did something that every brand should have added to their sites by now: Upcoming Releases. It’s a feature that up until recently you could only find on sneaker blogs. This simple addition to the site is informative and also allows customers to keep track of what’s dropping even if they aren’t utilizing the app. It also redirects traffic away from the sneaker blogs which can actually hurt non-Nike brands.
While I don’t see the adidas drops moving the brand forward in a similar fashion to what I stated would happen for Nike, the releases aren’t more of the same from the Three Stripes. Of course there are Superstars, NMDs and Yeezy, but the slight deviation creates a variety of upgrades that push the boundaries of what the normal lineup can be. There are over ten drops arriving all the way up to May. I chose 6 that I think deliver a solid rollout of kicks for the Trefoil.
The future is female. Designers Ji Won Choi and Olivia Oblanc teamed up with adidas to create an unexpected take on a classic for Women’s History Month. Always uncompromising, the adidas Superstar shoes were born to challenge the status quo. This version of the famous shell toe has a faux leather upper topped with sheer overlays. Swap out the laces and the straps to mix up your look.
What’s unique here? Not the designers, but the ability to upgrade your Superstars. What made adidas dope in the 80s wasn’t the actual shoe, it was our ability to personalize the model with different color shoestrings and fat laces, or no laces at all. This Choi x OBlanc version does it with ridiculous style.
Finally a different Yeezy arrives… It isn’t for me. I think this thing is definitely Alien looking, but for hypebeast and fans of Ye, it’s an addition to the collection. The problem is early release pairs aren’t hitting resale and that’s not a good sign for the 380. It could help retail outlets, but a percentage of Yeezy drops are always picked up by those able to flip them. These could end up sitting. adidas will undoubtedly drop a reflective version that will gain a bit more interest, but I think this shoe could be a bad drop for the brand at this time. Personally, I’d move it back if I could.
The NMD remains one of my favorite shoes and just in time for the spring/summer this all white with pops of solar red and a black accent will have to be cleaned daily, but it will be worthwhile. Will it sell through? Probably not. There have been some amazing colorways dropping that have popped quickly then faded. It’s a very good option though and if there was a safer version of Scotch-guard available I’d say cop and spray away.
Lace up a beautiful blend of ’70s running style and modern fashion trends. These SL Andridge Shoes have a leather upper while a leopard-spot detail is featured on the heel. The confidence of a head-turning design (along with a stacked midsole) will have you walking a little taller.
What’s to love about these? Right now Nike is crushing it with women’s small platform designs. The Air Force 1 Shadow and its elevated midsole, 720 Jordans, and Comme De Garcon Shox are hot items. adidas has lost some of that steam from Stan Smith and Superstar that bumped the brand a few years ago. This running inspired animal print pack of the Andridge is a very stylish option and I can see denim and white linen tees flowing once COVID-19 gets the hell out of the way. The wilder version releases on the same day.
The shoe I’m most enamored with in this collection features an added detail that I’ve been asking for since every brand shifted to knits and synthetics. One of the best shoes adidas has made has finally become a true lifestyle alternative, but I’m afraid that the elevated ticket price of the original has contributed to this model being priced in a manner that for me moves me towards buying another pair of handmade shoes from COMUNITYmade. It’s an interesting paradox. adidas finally listened and gave me what I wanted, but they waited so long that I actually found a product that is comparable, made in the US and contributes money to charity from my purchase. It really sucks as the picture that leads this post is the white version, but it’s this black version that has me conflicted.
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of an iconic adidas trainer. These shoes combine the high-performance running design of the Ultraboost with adidas Superstar trainer style. A soft leather upper rides on responsive, energy-returning cushioning.
This toebox that capture the Superstar element and the all leather upper with embroidered three stripes is well executed. It reminds me slightly of the T-Mac toebox, but it is the utilization of leather that gives this shoe its punch. It’s not right for me to compare another brand in an adidas post, but I simply can’t help but to compare my custom pair of trainers to this model. The reality should be that I compare it to premium Jordan brand drops that are at the premium pricepoint of 200+ dollars. Jordan has a legacy to attach increased pricing on. The recent Air Max 95 x Jordan 4 is an example. adidas is doing something similar here, but the failure to really nail down this model with a shoutout to Run-DMC is a miss. I mean imagine a photoshoot with the iconic group with a modern take! No shoestrings in em!
The logo on the tongue…
These few sneakers stood out immediately to me. The Streetball was also an exciting look, but it felt too similar to the Night Jogger so I didn’t add it to the list. adidas may not be positioned to bounce back in the same way as Jordan/Nike, but it’s not because they don’t have dope collections on the way. It’s because they have failed to craft heritage and legacy into their modern takes on legacy footwear. I guess that’s hard to do when the icons of the brand haven’t been given a consistent marketing position over the years.