First Look at Anthony Edwards' adidas AE 3

Without a doubt, Anthony Edwards had the hottest signature sneaker debut in recent memory. The lead-up to the debut of the AE 1 in December 2023 was relatively tame, but once people saw the original AE 1 With Love on the feet of celebrities and saw what Ant-Man was doing to the league in the sneaker, it became an overnight sensation. Subsequent colorways would sell out instantly, and with this unexpected success, adidas took its time to get a second model out. Now nearly two years removed from the AE 1’s launch, the AE 2 has hit the market. Reception is not nearly as positive as the OG, and adidas knows this. Before the model truly gets room to breathe, Sole Retriever is sharing an exclusive look at the third model, the adidas AE 3.

The direction the AE 3 is heading is back toward the futuristic design language of the original AE 1, though it's sticking to a low-top build instead of a mid. The general shape of the sneaker is basically the same as the AE 1 Low, but instead of a Generative Support Wing done in a honeycomb pattern, there are five triangular-shaped TPU overlays supporting the base. A plastic heel counter features adidas’ Three Stripes logo, while the tongue contains Edwards’ “A” logo. As for tech, there’s nothing we can share just yet, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see a similar build with a combination of Lightstrike and Lightboost.

Moving on so quickly to the AE 3 is probably the best bet for adidas. The reception to the AE 2 draws some parallels to how Jayson Tatum’s second signature sneaker, the Jordan Tatum 2, was lackluster to say the least. Jordan Brand only had the Tatum 2 on the market for around six months, but adidas will give the AE 2 more time to saturate. Expect colorways to roll out all the way through the summer of 2026. Based on this initial look, it’s safe to say there will be more positive talk surrounding Ant’s third sneaker than his second. They’ll also be banking on the budget-friendly adidas Believe That 1, Edwards’ takedown silhouette, which is launching just a few months prior to the AE 3.

The adidas AE 3 is expected to debut on September 19, 2026 in the Cold Blooded colorway. More renditions will launch in the following months. Retail has not been confirmed at this time, but its safe to put it in a similar $120-$130 range that the first two models retailed for. Stay tuned to the Sole Retriever mobile app for real-time alerts on the latest drops, restocks, raffles, and more in the sneaker world.

Nicholas Vlahos

Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts and catching the latest movies. Email: nick@soleretriever.com