adidas and the Marley estate collaborate on the SL 72 RS. One of the most anticipated launches of 2024, the shoe pays homage to the ongoing and timeless legacy of the reggae superstar. Roberto Nesta Marley was born in 1945 in Jamaica. At age 12, he moved from his hometown of Nine Mile to Trenchtown, a suburb of the Jamaican capital Kingston. This move would massively influence his artistic output later in life. By 18, he had already recorded four solo songs and formed the group that would become The Wailers.
Reggae was hot, a fresh new beat, and Bob Marley was a figurehead of the movement. In 1974, Eric Clapton released a cover of I Shot The Sheriff that went to number 1 on the Billboard chart. Catapulting Marley to mega-stardom overnight, the smooth tones of the dreadlocked Rasta resonated with people worldwide, and his message was one of peace and harmony. His passing in 1981 at age 36 sent shockwaves across the globe, and the continued love for his music and his message is still apparent over four decades later. Rolling Stone has him as number 11 on the Greatest Artists of All Time list, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame in 1994. Often pictured wearing The Brand With The Three Stripes during his lifetime, he had a deep love of playing soccer and owned many adidas cleats.
With that in mind, the Bob Marley x adidas SL 72 RS design is approached, featuring a woven nylon base meeting overlays of premium smooth suede in core black. Contrasted by cloud white heels, lace stay, and Three Stripes on the sides, the midsole features flashes of green and yellow hues. His signature appears, finished in gold along the lateral heels. At the same time, the tongue is adorned with a custom graphic that highlights an image of the man himself, while co-branding covers the insoles. The shoe is finished with a red gum rubber outsole.
The Bob Marley x adidas SL 72 RS will release on October 15, 2024, through adidas and select retailers online and in-store. Coming in men's sizing, retail is set at $120. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app for updates on the latest from adidas and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Bob Marley x adidas SL 72 RS
Images via adidas
Craig Bell happily talks about sneakers or as he calls them "trainers" every day of the year. An avid Bradford City fan, he's also a big supporter of the Philadelphia Eagles. He will forever profess that Cricket is better than Baseball and that Rugby League is better then Rugby Union. Among his many hot takes, he believes the adidas ZX range is the pinnacle of sneaker design.
