Adidas Is Turning Its Kobe-Inspired Crazy IIInfinity Sneaker Into a $50 Foam Mule
Adidas is expanding its series of footwear inspired by the Kobe Bryant line with a futuristic foam mule.
The Adidas Adifom IIInfinity Slide is a spinoff of the Crazy IIInfinity, which itself is inspired by the Crazy 1, formerly known as the Kobe 1. Partially derived from sugarcane, Adidas’ Adifom material has been molded into a new but familiar shape that’s simultaneously sleek and bulbous. A blocky three stripes motif does double duty on the slip-ons by providing ventilation as cut-outs, and the thin three stripes that originate from the Crazy 1 now appear in raised form at the tip of the toe. Concentric circle patterns on the insole and outsole provide grip on both ends, and the mule’s debut comes in an all-black colorway.
Originally released in 2000 as Bryant’s fourth signature sneaker from Adidas, the Crazy 1 still remains polarizing for its Audi TT-inspired lines. Even those who’d consider the original sneaker ugly would have a hard time arguing against its singular look, and Adidas has been revisiting the aesthetic over the last year with the Crazy IIInfinity and Mad IIInfinity essentially giving answers to what the Kobe line might have looked like had it continued rather than Bryant decamping to Nike in 2003.
The Adifom IIInfinity Slide also emerges after years of just about every brand in the footwear space trying their hands at casual and comfortable foam footwear in unusual shapes. Later this year, Nike will bring back a more obscure shoe that was nonetheless polarizing in its initial run, the Clogposite, which looks to have better fortunes in its second life.
The Adifoam IIInfinity Slides in all-black will release July 1 through Adidas’ website. Pricing is set at $50.
About the Author:
Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.