The current revival of Feet You Wear-era models is working wonders for adidas, and another design from then is being revisited with the return of the Intimidation Low. Core White Team Royal Blue, an original color scheme, this iteration will launch alongside a Wonder Aluminium Yellow pair to kick off 2025. The model was recently the star of a collaboration between the German sportswear giant and Jersey-based sneaker boutique Packer, which saw the silhouette undergo a simplified execution. At the same time, this upcoming inline release from adidas maintains more OG design features.
Initially designed in 1999 by a young man fresh out of school under the tutelage of the legendary Peter Moore, Shane Ward is now an adidas senior director who is one of the lead creatives on the current Fear Of God projects. Shane created the model for the frontman of the adidas FYW campaign in the 90s, NFL star Keyshawn Johnson, as part of the "Training for Sport" initiative. A quarter century after first being released, adidas has deemed the time is right to bring them back, and the distinctive design is undoubtedly on-trend.
A muted grey shade adorns the tight open mesh that is utilized for the construction of the base of the upper. Core White tones envelop the different blend of spacer mesh used to craft the tongue and heel collar. This design is coupled with a white lace set that is partially hidden and a nod back to an original design element.
Team Royal Blue hues provide a vibrant contrast along the upper edge and at the midfoot in the form of Three Stripes branding, finished in a webbing material. The color appears again as part of the embroidered EQT logo at the toe and for the shank in the midsole, which can be seen on the sneaker's medial. At the heel, a synthetic core white leather panel enwraps the rear.
The distinctive molded RPU cage in a neutral shade of grey that runs along the sneaker provides lateral support. This overlay is joined by a core black rubber strip that extends to the front and forms the toe box. Underfoot, the FYW sole features a midsole made from adiPRENE for extreme comfort and joined by a rubber outsole for increased traction and grip.
The adidas Intimidation Low Core White Team Royal Blue is set to release on January 9, 2025, via adidas and select retailers online and in-store. Coming in men's sizing, retail is $130. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via adidas
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.
