adidas NMD – The Making of a Legend
It is the ninth of December 2015 in New York. On this day, a very special sneaker made its initially very subtle debut and laid the foundation to become an absolute icon of the footwear scene.
adidas
The now universally known adidas NMD was meant to build on the unparalleled success of the legendary Ultraboost and take the brand with the Three Stripes to a whole new level. To achieve this, they combined the very popular Primeknit and the popular Boost technology with the unique design elements of classics like the Boston Super, the Rising Star, and of course, the signature Micropacer. The resulting creation was the perfect blend of old and new, making for a very refreshing familiarity in the sneaker game compared to older kicks. So, in a time of prevalent celebrity and influencer collaborations, the NMD managed to become a shoe that was incredibly hyped and most importantly, loved for its unique design alone. It's really hard to find a sneaker these days that can boast of such instant-classic status as the NMD. We are pretty sure that this unique silhouette will be with us for some time to come and maybe even receive some more upgrades. To make sure you don't miss out, subscribe to our newsletter or download our free Grailify sneaker app directly onto your smartphone.
adidas NMD - Numerous Variations
After the very successful launch of the NMD, it was only natural that adidas would build on the immense hype of the sneaker in the following years. Accordingly, there are now a large number of different versions, most of which have been sold out countless times. From a laceless mid-top version to a Pharell-designed version, there really is everything. The adidas NMD has seen it all and definitely looks like it's not going to change anytime soon. But because of these countless versions, you can often lose track of the previous drops. That's why we have listed the most important versions for you here.
adidas NMD R1 PK OG
The success story of the incomparable sneaker began with this model, which laid the foundation for all future models. The NMD R1 PK OG was launched in the eponymous All-Black Primeknit and a white Boost midsole, impressing with its characteristic red and blue side panels on the outside. The black rubber outsole rounded off the OG in terms of colour. Due to its advanced technologies, the classic could already be worn as a runner back then, but was also quite usable for an everyday look.
adidas NMD C1
After the OG was well received in the scene as an everyday shoe, a similar approach was taken for the first variation in the form of the NMD C1. The sneaker was designed in the so-called chukka style and was first launched as a mid-top version in March 2016. The upgraded silhouette remained true to the typical sole of the original, but replaced the previously familiar upper with red suede and a higher cut.
adidas NMD CS1
The so-called adidas NMD City Sock was launched at the same time as the C1 and offered a chic mid-top alternative to the more extravagant chukka style of its counterpart. The CS1 with its eponymous sock-like upper is seen by many people as the forerunner of the now very popular knitwear trend.
adidas NMD XR1
With this model, the brand with the Three Stripes probably took most of its inspiration from the popular Ultraboost. The sneaker therefore convinces with its polished upper, which has been enriched with a chic cage and thus supports the lacing system. Even the beloved midsole was not safe from changes, so the front side panel was made slightly smaller.
Pharell Williams x adidas HU NMD
After first spotting Skateboard P in these mysterious sneakers in January 2016, Pharell Williams sat down with adidas to launch his own signature shoe. The brand new design featured a reworked upper and an innovative lacing system that connected to the side plugs. Since this collaboration, Pharell and the brand with the Three Stripes have released a number of unique NMDs and thrilled numerous fans.
adidas NMD R2
The sportswear giant ended 2016 with a bang and launched the very popular adidas NMD R2. Although the upper remained largely untouched, the otherwise characteristic midsole plugs were removed and replaced by a large panel on the inside of the shoe. Not to be forgotten are the diagonal grooves on the upper of the R2.