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Adidas Secretly Released the Perfect Retro Sneaker. And It’s Not the Samba

Bob Marley’s go-to shoe continues its rise with the best colorway yet. But most shoppers may never see it.

blue Adidas shoeAdidas

By Jack Seemer

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The SL 72 may not be as big as the Samba but it’s not for a lack of trying.

Last year, the old-school Adidas sneaker nearly topped the Lyst Index, a quarterly roundup of the hottest items in fashion.

Models like Emily Ratajkowski added pairs to their wardrobes. Grace Wales Bonner gave the shoe a series of sold-out glow-ups.

And now, Adidas has devised what may be the idyllic pair, available in a timeless harmony of white, navy blue and gold-foil branding.

blue Adidas shoe
Collegiate Navy and a creamy yellow midsole give this version of the SL 72 timeless aura.
Adidas

What’s more, the midsole features in a unique creamy yellow that plays into the SL 72’s heritage and retro appeal.

blue Adidas shoe
The SL 72 was one of the first Adidas shoes to feature the now-iconic trefoil logo.
Adidas

(The shoe was first released ahead of the 1972 Summer Olympics and became a go-to for Bob Marley; notably, it was one of the first Adidas shoes to showcase the brand’s trefoil logo.)

Just one problem: the brand isn’t ready to release it on a global scale. And mum’s the word on whether or not it ever will.

blue Adidas shoe
Here, the brown gum sole extends to the toe cap.
Adidas

A Japan exclusive

Like many good things in life, the new SL 72 looks to be exclusive to the Japanese market, with a Night Indigo colorway coming in as the closest dupe for US shoppers.

Though it shares the dark-blue upper, its white midsole and toe cap come across more modern than nostalgic.

blue Adidas shoe
This Night Indigo colorway is the closest US shoppers can get to the colorway. It shared a dark-blue upper and gold foiling, but the white midsole and toe cap give it a modern edge.
Adidas

That being said, it’s still a handsome shoe and there are certainly worse ways to spend $100 than on a classic everyday sneaker in a versatile colorway.

Meanwhile, the Japan-exclusive SL 72 is available for 14,300 Japanese Yen (around $95 given the favorable exchange rate).

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