The rustling of leaves and the scent of sharpened pencils in the air can only mean one thing – it's time for kids to head back to school! And what better way to step into a brand-new academic year than with a pair of fresh kicks? Every student knows that starting school on the right foot (literally) can make all the difference. This year, adidas has come through with a stunning range of sneakers designed to cater to every personality, style, and grade level. Whether you’re an aspiring high school athlete or shopping for your preschooler, there’s an adidas shoe waiting to become your next favorite. And here's a pro tip: sign up for adidas adiClub and snag the hottest deals and rewards as you gear up for this back-to-school season.
High School and College
Ensuring you stay comfy from the classroom to extracurriculars, the adidas Ultraboost 1.0 “Black White” features one of the best cushioning set-ups in sneakers with its Boost sole. The all-black Primeknit upper with black detailing on the Three Stripes and TPU heel counter means this pair will last you the entire school year and some.
Rock the retro look with the adidas Gazelle in the “Collegiate Burgundy” colorway. Rich suede in the titular hue pairs perfectly with the white accents on the leather Three Stripes, heel tab, and tongue. Laces and branding come in white and burgundy, respectively, while our final accenting touch comes in metallic gold Gazelle text. All of this sits atop a white rubber midsole and outsole.
If you're attending college or just want to show some school pride, adidas most likely has you covered. adidas is offering the adidas Ultraboost 1.0 ATR in a plethora of college-themed colorways ranging from Kansas to Texas A&M. Each shoe features TPU reinforcements on the mudguard and heel, a bungee lacing system, and a lugged rubber outsole. Nods to each university can be seen via the logo placed prominently on the tongue tag of each shoe.
Pharrell Williams’ take on the ever-popular adidas Samba raises the bar in terms of luxury as this three-pack of tonal colors, including “White,” “Black,” and “Terracotta,” contains some of the highest-quality leather on the market. Each model comes wrapped in the titular hue and features raw leather laces. Rounding out the looks are the tonal sole units below.
Providing some pop for the adidas Superstar, The Three Stripes has dressed this women’s exclusive colorway in a clean combination of white, pink, and green. White rubber on the toecap and white leather dominates the upper, with green accents piping the pink chenille Three Stripes and the sockliner. More pink hits on the heel tab and atop the tongue complete the upper, while the creamy sole unit finishes everything in style.
Middle School
All-white kicks never go out of style, as is evident with the adidas Nizza Platform in “Triple White.” The all-over canvas upper gets doused in a single shade of white while the Trefoil atop the tongue breaks up the monochrome finish. Rubberized portions running along the sidewall add durability, while the platform sole, also in white, adds some height to the wearer.
A throwback to the '80s, the adidas Forum Low “Cloud White Royal Blue” recalls the OG colorway of the high-top Forum. White leather takes over most of the sneaker, while blue accents appear on the sockliner, tongue tag, Three Stripes, Trefoil, and heel portions. The lockdown strap helps ensure a secure fit for all-day wear while the EVA sole unit provides exceptional comfort.
Mark Gonzales’ adidas Aloha Super in the “Wonder Quartz” colorway comes at an affordable price point while also utilizing high-quality materials. Tan-shaded suede wraps around the mudguard, midfoot, heel, and eyestays, while black leather and nubuck appear below this. Orange hits on the Shmoofoil logo provide some pop, while the tonal tan midsole and outsole complete this offering.
An unbeatable combination of comfort and sleek design, the adidas NMD_R1 is an excellent choice for the school year. This “Core Black Cloud White” rendition looks to be a simple two-tone offering at first glance. However, looking at the TPU plug on the sole unit and TPU film on the heel, you’ll see pink and blue hits, respectively. For the rest of the sneaker, the Primeknit upper comes in all-black with a white Boost midsole and black outsole finishing the design.
Elementary & Preschool
Kids need to stay comfy while looking fresh, so why not lace them up in the adidas NMD_R1 Refined “Cloud White.” On top of the upper being breathable, the Boost sole unit being comfortable, and the all-white look leading to a great choice, the environment is also a priority of this model. Primeblue, a recycled material made in part with Parley Ocean Plastic, is utilized on the upper.
A timeless classic in kid-friendly sizes, the adidas Superstar “Cloud White Core Black” is ready for the upcoming school year. The black, white, and metallic gold sneaker will go with every outfit and sustain all the wear and tear on the playground thanks to its rubberized toecap and leather upper.
Let your little superhero swing into the school year with shoes that are as adventurous as they are! The Marvel x adidas Rapidasport “Spider-Man” is a perfect homage to NYC’s friendly neighborhood spider as the black, red, and blue low-top features not only a color combo reminiscent of Peter Parker’s alter-ego but features his logo atop the tongue. While stylish, they’re also comfortable, thanks to the Bounce cushioning on the sole unit below.
Marvel x adidas Grand Court "Spider-Man" (GS)
Channeling classic adidas style with the powers of Spider-Man, the Marvel x adidas Grand Court “Spider-Man” features the superhero’s mask on the lateral heel and his webs on the Three Stripes branding. More nods to Spidey are found on the tongue tag, while the clean design features a primarily white and black finish.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
