Bob Marley Fans Won’t Want to Miss Out on These Adidas Sneakers
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Bob Marley was known to wear Adidas, which shouldn’t come as a surprise given how huge of soccer the reggae icon was. Now, Marley fans will have a chance to wear a pair an official collaboration bearing his likeness.
The Bob Marley x Adidas SL72 has quietly begun to rollout with its tasteful treatment. Black and white forms the leather, suede and nylon upper, which features Marley’s signature debossed in gold on the lateral heel counter. A yellowed midsole is sandwiched between a green stripe and red-ish brown outsole, and on the tongue tag you’ll find a portrait of Marley. Rounding out the detailing is an insole with a repeating graphic featuring Marley’s name and the Adidas Trefoil logo.
In 2021, Adidas also partnered with Marley’s estate to make the official third kit for Ajax because the Amsterdam soccer team has a tradition of playing “Three Little Birds” during each home game. The kit was banned by UEFA for falling outside uniform regulations for European play, but that didn’t stop the shirt from going on sale to the public.
The Adidas SL, short for “super light,” first released as a running shoe in the early ’70s and has been brought back into the spotlight in 2024. Before Adidas ramped up the marketing for the sneaker this year, Wales Bonner had collaborated on the SL72 on a number of occasions, including an edition in the colors of the Jamaican flag, dating back to 2020.
The Bob Marley x Adidas SL72 is out now through select retailers including Nice Kicks and the Denver-based boutique Dvsn West and is scheduled for a wide European release October 15 through Adidas’ website. A wider stateside release hasn’t yet been confirmed but will likely follow soon.
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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.