German sportswear giant adidas has teamed up again with Cincinnati-based boutique Unheardof to present another pair of Rivalry Lows with a vital backstory and impact. After launching the Grandma's Couch and Erika's Poem releases to wide acclaim last year, the third installment in the ongoing partnership centers around Cincinnati, focusing on a local landmark.
Originally designed for performance on the basketball court, the Rivalry is a classic silhouette that gained prominence in the 1980s when debuted by NBA Superstar Patrick Ewing. With the Rivalry 2 launched just the year after, it was this model that went on to be a commercial success with adidas and became known as the Riavlry outright, with adidas discontinuing the production of the original silhouette until it recently made a reappearance as the Riavlry 86. Over the years, the Rivalry has transitioned from the hardwood to the streets, becoming a staple in sneaker culture. Its retro aesthetic, marked by bold three-stripe branding and a classic shape, resonates with fans of footwear designed in the past while also lending itself as the perfect canvas for modern storytelling. Unheardof takes advantage of this benefit in a way like no other.
The Unheardof x adidas Rivalry Low Building Bridges uses the John A. Roebling Bridge as inspiration. A magic beige suede upper is overlaid with a brick pattern that resembles the building bricks that make up the majority of the construction of the bridge. Contrasted by the preloved blue suede Three Stripes branding along the midfoot, more hits appear on the lace stay. Golden metal eyelets are offset by a thick, chunky lace set with custom jewels. Trefoil logos sit atop the tongues, and the sneakers come with custom-graphic insoles. This release is limited to just 1000 pairs, and proceeds will be donated to the Children's Home of Cincinnati, while a keyring from the charity is included with every pair.
The Unheardof x adidas Rivalry Low Building Bridges is set to release on October 25, 2024, exclusively at Unheardof in-store and online. Coming in men's sizing, retail is set at $165. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Unheardof x adidas Rivalry Low Building Bridges
Images via Unheardof
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.
