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The last few years have seen a rapid growth in demand for comfortable and fuss-free foam footwear. As COVID-19 forced society to slow down, more people began to embrace slides, sandals, clogs, and mules. And even though life has largely returned to normal, many are still sticking with the cozy footwear revelations of the pandemic. Crocs' resurgence in popularity, which was already underway, became much more pronounced as sneakerheads and fashion enthusiasts alike both had a change in heart. adidas Yeezy also introduced two foam models that quickly became hits, including the adidas Yeezy Slide.
One brand that was lacking in this area was Nike. While its Bennasi slide and others have been go-to options for years, consumers were still seeking more comfortable, foam-based options. Now, the Swoosh is looking to dominate the market by introducing the Nike Calm Slide.
The emergence of the Calm Slide might have been too late if Yeezy Slide was still seeing regular releases. The void in the market left by adidas ending its relationship with Ye should allow this entry from Nike more room to take hold and become a hit.
Even before Nike's newest slide released, the Nike Calm Slide and the adidas Yeezy Slide are already drawing frequent comparisons. We've decided to delve in, too, breaking down the subtle nuances of the two minimalist, foam-based footwear options. Ultimately, the choice between the two boils down to personal preference, budget, and lifestyle. Whether you opt for the Nike Calm Slide or the adidas Yeezy Slide, you're stepping into a comfortable piece of footwear.
Design
The Nike Calm Slide and the adidas Yeezy Slide follow a minimalist design language. How this is achieved is where the differences between the two lie. The Nike Calm Slide features a textured footbed with a Swoosh embedded into the foam. The logo is also found on the lateral side of the forefoot strap. On the outsole, the Calm Slide borrows from the Air Force 1 Flyknit’s traction pattern.
The Yeezy Slide boasts a one-piece design and is chunkier, giving it a contemporary and trend-focused aesthetic. The absence of any apparent branding aligns with Yeezy’s usual design motifs. We see a serrated foam design for its sole unit that offers decent traction for a non-rubber build.
Material and Construction
Nike's Calm Slide is crafted from soft synthetic foam and rubber. The softer foam comes in direct contact with the foot, while the rubber outsole provides durability. The use of rubber instead of foam creates a more stable underfoot experience.
The adidas Yeezy Slide, on the other hand, is made from a single piece of sculpted EVA foam, an elastomeric polymer that produces a soft yet durable footwear experience. EVA foam is known for its flexibility, cushioning properties, and water resistance.
Comfort and Fit
The Nike Calm Slide provides a plush and secure feeling thanks to its foam footbed and padded strap. The slides run true to your normal Nike size, though if you have wider feet, we suggest going up to the next size because there are no half sizes.
The adidas Yeezy Slide focuses on providing a snug fit and ultra-soft cushioning underfoot. The EVA foam strap hugs the foot and, while it may take a bit to break in, conforms to its wearer over time. It runs slightly small, so you should go up at least one full size. Those with wider feet may even need to go up two full sizes.
Colorways
We have yet to see the full array of colors that Nike will provide, as the Calm Slide has just been unveiled. The five launch colorways stick to a neutral, earth-tone palette, each with a monochromatic finish. In the future, we’ll likely see more vibrant colors.
The adidas Yeezy Slide is well known for sticking to earth tones, but a handful of options stray from the color palette. Some options that veer from the neutral palette include “Azure,” “Glow,” and “Enflame.” When compared to the launch colorways of the Calm Slide, we see striking similarities between the Calm Slide “Sesame” and Yeezy Slide “Pure,” as well as the Calm Slide “Sail” and Yeezy Slide “Bone.”
Price and Availability
Nike's Calm Slide is relatively affordable, coming in at just $50. It offers an excellent balance between style, comfort, and cost-effectiveness — catering to a broad demographic. Considering we have yet to see the slide hit shelves, we’ll have to see how supply and demand lineup and affect the resale market, if there's the need for one.
The adidas Yeezy Slide is more exclusive and higher priced, originally retailing at $70. However, the state of Ye and adidas' relationship makes the resale market the only current and foreseeable source for purchasing a pair — bringing all sorts of pricing variables.
While Ye is listed as the owner of the design patent for the Yeezy Slide, we're unsure if that means he can release it on his own. The split from adidas may have transferred the rights over to the German sportswear giant, and the exact details of the contract have not been made public. All of this goes to say there's no guarantee adidas and/or Ye will ever release new Yeezy slides, as it's also unclear if any remain in adidas' leftover inventory.
Conclusion
- The Nike Calm Slide is a cheaper alternative to the adidas Yeezy Slide as it is priced at $50 compared to the $70 retail of the Yeezy Slide.
- Both utilize a EVA foam-based construction, but the Calm Slide uses a rubber outsole.
- The Calm Slide fits more true-to-size compared to the Yeezy Slide, though the forefoot is a tad narrow.
- For comfort, the Yeezy Slide provides a softer underfoot experience compared to the Calm Slide.
- We should expect plenty of color schemes of the Calm Slide in the near future
- With adidas and Yeezy no longer working together, it is likely we do not see anymore Yeezy Slides hit the market.
