Adi Dassler first started sketching ideas for a lightweight post-game sandal in the 1960s. For decades now, adidas’ Adilette has been used as a go-to for everyone from athletes to college dormies. While keeping all that in mind, the latest edition of the slides have reached new luxurious proportions that give the usually-cheap silhouette some new materials and a $350 sticker price.
Grace Wales Bonner’s latest take on the Adilette shows us how cultural storytelling can transform utility into something that feels genuinely elevated. Where most luxury collaborations feel like justification for expensive price tags, this one actually has something to say, nodding to heritage, African craft traditions, and the global networks that connect communities across continents.
From Shower Shoe to Cultural Canvas
The Adilette’s journey from practical necessity to fashion staple mirrors many of adidas’ most successful silhouettes. First introduced in 1972 after the German national soccer team specifically requested a shower shoe to combat athlete’s foot, the slide’s single-piece rubber construction and signature three stripes quickly found popularity beyond the locker room. Its appeal was a simple blend of comfort, durability, and that unmistakable adidas DNA.
Fast-forward five decades, and the Adilette has been everything from a Palace collaboration darling to an Alexander Wang runway piece. But Wales Bonner’s interpretation feels different as it’s more rooted in storytelling than pure luxe aesthetics. The firm’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection draws inspiration from “cities by the sea” and nautical influences, informing the material choices on the headlining Adilette.
Craftsmanship Where It Counts
The most immediate difference you’ll notice on the slides is the hand-woven leather upper, handcrafted in Brazil. Still sporting the three stripe pattern, the traditional plastic bandage is replaced with textured leather, adding a tactile depth that should age gracefully over time.
Underneath, a full leather footbed replaces the standard EVA foam as well. This might seem like overkill for a slide, but anyone who’s owned quality leather footwear knows how dramatically it molds to your feet the more you wear it. The idea that these will actually improve in comfort as you break them in seems to subvert what we’d expect in our culture of disposability.
But the real conversation starter might just be the tire-inspired outsole. Wales Bonner describes it as homage to African communities where repurposing old tires into shoe soles has been a longstanding tradition. This cultural homage elevates the collaboration beyond simple luxury wear, giving it some real narrative depth that connects to Wales Bonner’s broader exploration of Afro-Atlantic identity.
A Pricey Position
Unfortunately, despite all the good intentions, it’s the price tag here that will be the biggest story. At $350, these slides cost over 10x more than a standard pair of Adilette Comfort Slides, which is a significant premium, even by Wales Bonner standards. In fact, these might just be the most expensive piece we’ve seen from the five-year partnership so far — although, there’s also the upcoming Karintha sneaker that costs just as much.
Quiet Luxury
The collaboration launches in two colorways that fit perfectly with Wales Bonner’s design ethos. The “Wonder White/Night Indigo” version offers a clean, maritime-inspired look that could very well be a summertime favorite, while the “Dark Brown/Wonder White/Night Brown” option provides earthier tones for a bit more versatility. Either way, these colorways are far from flashy, which put them in one of our favorite categories: quiet luxury.
Spec Sheet
Model: adidas Originals by Wales Bonner Adilette Slides
Upper: Hand-woven leather (crafted in Brazil)
Footbed: Premium leather
Outsole: Tire-inspired rubber
Fit: Regular slip-on
Colorways: Wonder White/Night Indigo, Dark Brown/Wonder White/Night Brown
Price: $350
Limited Edition?: Yes, unspecified
Pricing & Availability
Priced at $350, the Wales Bonner Adilette slides released this past Wednesday, exclusively through the adidas’ or Wales Bonner’s websites. They are limited in edition size but luckily, there are still some left.
Recap
adidas x Wales Bonner Adilette Slides
Paying homage to African craftsmanship, Wales Bonner put hand-woven leather uppers and tire-inspired outsoles on the usually-cheap adidas Adilette Slides, hoisting the price tag up to $350.
