Adidas dropped the original Adilette slide back in 1972. The minimalist slip-on sandal, defined by its molded “bandage” EVA upper, was originally developed as a shower shoe to help prevent the spread of athletes foot.
It was soft, cushy, and easy to slip on and off hands-free. It was also waterproof, quick-drying, and very cheap for Adidas footwear.
As such, it’s no surprise that the Adilette was an immediate hit for Adidas and was soon embraced far outside the locker room by athletes who appreciated the sandal’s comfort and relaxed fit.
Today, Adidas makes countless iterations of the Adilette tuned for everything from hanging by the pool and, yes, still showering,
However, a new collaborative iteration of the slide, made in partnership with the menswear brand Wales Bonner, finally brings a level of luxury to the sandal design that at least some subsets of the fashion world have wanted for years.
A True Gucci Rival
Gucci famously ripped off the Adilette over a decade ago and transformed it into a luxury staple by hand-making it in Italy and charging a small fortune.
