The best Adidas pieces right now span a surprisingly cohesive range of retro-inspired silhouettes and performance innovations, with the SL72, Samba, and Taekwondo leading the lifestyle category while the Ultraboost 5X and Supernova Rise 2 dominate running. The SL72, which originated as a 1972 Olympic training shoe, has become the defining sneaker of the past year, worn by Bella Hadid, Emily Ratajkowski, and Timothée Chalamet”a celebrity endorsement trifecta that typically signals both peak saturation and sustained desirability. For those seeking something less ubiquitous, the Taekwondo slip-on offers a compelling alternative: originally released in the late 1980s for martial arts athletes, it now occupies the aesthetic space between a ballet pump and a trainer, making it one of the more unusual pieces gaining traction this season. Beyond footwear, the Willy Chavarria collaboration for Spring/Summer 2026 represents Adidas Originals at its most elevated, featuring the Chavarria Jabbar Low with premium leather construction and gold-foiled “KAREEM” and “WILLY” details that nod to heritage while pushing toward something more refined.
This article breaks down the full landscape: which lifestyle sneakers merit attention, what performance running shoes actually deliver on their promises, which apparel basics justify their popularity, and how the collaborative releases stack up against mainline offerings. The timing matters here. With the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaching and Adidas unveiling home kits for 22 partner federations”their largest kit collection ever”the brand is operating at a scale that affects availability and pricing across their entire catalog. Understanding what pieces hold value now means accounting for where attention and resources are being directed.
Table of Contents
- What Lifestyle Sneakers Are Defining Adidas Right Now?
- The Taekwondo and SL72: Two Silhouettes Worth Understanding
- Performance Running Shoes That Justify Their Engineering
- How Adidas Apparel Balances Basics and Statement Pieces
- The Willy Chavarria Collaboration and What It Signals
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Kits and Market Implications
- What Current Trends Suggest About Adidas Direction
- Conclusion
What Lifestyle Sneakers Are Defining Adidas Right Now?
The Samba, Tokyo, and Handball Spezial remain the core trio for fashion-focused consumers, spotted consistently on Jennifer Lawrence, Kendall Jenner, and Hailey Bieber throughout the past year. The Samba in particular has achieved a kind of default status”the shoe you wear when you want to signal awareness without committing to anything too niche. However, if you’re entering this market now, consider that these silhouettes have been trending for several seasons, meaning resale premiums have largely normalized and finding limited colorways requires more effort than it did eighteen months ago.
The Superstar 2 experienced renewed interest after Zendaya wore them in Luca Guadagnino’s 2024 film Challengers, a reminder that product placement in prestige cinema still moves units. Originally launched as a basketball shoe in 1970, the Superstar’s shell toe and leather upper read as both nostalgic and current”though its chunkier profile doesn’t suit every wardrobe the way slimmer silhouettes might. For those seeking something genuinely underappreciated, the VL Court 3.0 in Shadow Red/Off White/Maroon has quietly accumulated positive reviews, with shoppers describing it as a “great everyday shoe.” It lacks the cultural cachet of the Samba but offers cleaner lines and better versatility for professional-adjacent contexts where a Handball Spezial might read as too casual.
The Taekwondo and SL72: Two Silhouettes Worth Understanding
The Adidas Taekwondo represents functional fashion at its most literal: a slip-on designed for martial arts that now works as streetwear because minimalism cycles back into style every decade or so. Its flat sole and sock-like construction make it genuinely comfortable for daily wear, though it offers essentially no arch support”a tradeoff worth acknowledging if you’re on your feet for extended periods. The SL72 dominated 2025 and shows no signs of fading as we move through 2026. Its appeal lies partly in proportions: the silhouette sits lower to the ground than most running-inspired sneakers, with a suede and nylon upper that photographs well and develops character with wear.
Bella Hadid and Timothée Chalamet wearing the same shoe suggests it has achieved that rare unisex appeal where neither men’s nor women’s styling feels forced. However, the SL72’s popularity has created availability issues in sought-after colorways. If you’re particular about color, expect to either pay resale premiums or wait for restocks. The upside: widespread availability of core colorways means you can often find standard options at retail without difficulty.
Performance Running Shoes That Justify Their Engineering
The Adidas Evo SL represents the brand’s most versatile current running shoe, featuring Lightstrike Pro foam, lightweight construction, and a thin grippy outsole suitable for everything from easy recovery runs to track sessions. The Adizero EVO SL, available in 13 colorways, uses the same Lightstrike Pro foam midsole with slight variations in upper construction”a comparison worth noting because colorway preferences might determine which version works better for your needs. The Ultraboost 5X earns its “lightest Ultraboost yet” designation through the removal of the traditional lace cage and introduction of a new Lightboost midsole.
This represents a genuine technical achievement, though longtime Ultraboost wearers should note that the lockdown feel differs from previous versions. If you relied on the cage for midfoot security, the 5X may require adjustment. The Supernova Rise 2 addresses specific runner feedback from its predecessor, featuring a more “natural” toebox shape and updated Dreamstrike+ foam. Adidas explicitly marketing this as a response to criticism suggests they’re listening to their running community”whether the changes satisfy previous detractors remains subjective, but the acknowledgment itself matters.
How Adidas Apparel Balances Basics and Statement Pieces
The Trefoil Essentials Tee exemplifies Adidas apparel at its most competent: cotton jersey construction with a subtle Trefoil logo that signals brand affiliation without overwhelming. It consistently receives high ratings because it delivers exactly what it promises”no more, no less. For jewelry and accessories pairings, the understated branding allows metalwork to take visual priority.
The Essentials 3-Stripes Fleece Hoodie occupies a similar functional space, offering regular fit, kangaroo pockets, and that distinctive triple stripe that remains Adidas’s most recognizable design element. Described as a “wardrobe must-have,” it works best as layering rather than statement outerwear. The Soft Lux Hoodie departs from basics toward something more intentional, with an oversized fit available in black, olive, light sage, and plum. The expanded color palette suggests Adidas is testing appetite for elevated loungewear, and the silhouette’s drape works particularly well with chain necklaces and bolder ring stacks”the proportions create visual balance that fitted basics sometimes lack.
The Willy Chavarria Collaboration and What It Signals
The Adidas Originals x Willy Chavarria Spring/Summer 2026 collection represents collaborative design at its most considered. The Chavarria Mockneck brings tailored sensibility to athletic-adjacent apparel, while the Chavarria Jabbar Low uses premium leather and gold-foiled details spelling “KAREEM” and “WILLY””explicit heritage references that justify elevated price points. This collaboration matters because it indicates where Adidas sees opportunity in the luxury-adjacent space. Gold foil detailing on a sneaker designed with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s legacy in mind creates natural affinity with precious metals and jewelry.
The pieces function as bridges between sportswear origins and contemporary elevation. However, collaborative releases typically carry limited availability and quick sellouts. If the Chavarria pieces appeal, purchasing windows will likely be narrow and resale premiums steep. The tradeoff between waiting for potential restocks and securing pieces immediately remains a personal calculation based on budget and urgency.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Kits and Market Implications
Adidas revealing home kits for 22 partner federations ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026″their largest kit collection ever”represents a massive resource allocation that affects broader product strategy. When a brand commits to this scale of production and marketing, attention and manufacturing capacity concentrate accordingly.
This has practical implications: expect heightened visibility for football-adjacent pieces and potentially extended wait times or reduced variety in other categories as World Cup preparation dominates 2026. For consumers interested in non-football Adidas products, the first half of the year may offer better selection than periods closer to the tournament.
What Current Trends Suggest About Adidas Direction
The convergence of retro silhouettes, performance innovation, and elevated collaborations suggests Adidas is pursuing multiple market positions simultaneously rather than committing to a single aesthetic direction. The SL72’s dominance indicates appetite for heritage designs remains strong, while the Ultraboost 5X shows technical running consumers still expect advancement.
The Willy Chavarria partnership points toward increased comfort with luxury-adjacent positioning”gold foil details and premium leather construction signal ambition beyond pure athletic wear. For those who appreciate Adidas pieces alongside fine jewelry and precious metals, this trajectory suggests more refined options ahead.
Conclusion
The best Adidas pieces right now cluster around proven silhouettes”the SL72, Samba, and Handball Spezial for lifestyle, the Evo SL and Ultraboost 5X for performance”while the Taekwondo slip-on and Willy Chavarria collaboration offer distinctive alternatives for those seeking less ubiquitous options. The apparel range emphasizes versatile basics with the Trefoil Essentials Tee and Essentials Hoodie, punctuated by the more intentional Soft Lux Hoodie for elevated casual contexts.
Understanding what works requires acknowledging limitations: the SL72’s popularity creates availability challenges, the Ultraboost 5X’s cage removal changes fit characteristics, and collaborative pieces like the Chavarria Jabbar Low will likely sell quickly at elevated prices. The World Cup’s influence on 2026 production and marketing means timing purchases strategically may matter more this year than in typical seasons. Focus on pieces that complement existing wardrobes and pair well with jewelry and accessories rather than chasing every trending silhouette.