The adidas NMD Is Back but Not as You Knew It
Remember the adidas NMD? It's been reborn as a sleek, eco-conscious sneaker called the NMD_S1 MTBR — feel old yet?
In the official first look photos exclusively provided to Highsnobiety, one can glimpse the NMD's barely recognizable new form.
Replete with a black, knitted upper, the NMD_S1 MTBR sports some adjusted aglets — including one that stretches the laces down to the forefoot — and a pared-back design that eschews extraneous plastic paneling.
Even the Three Stripes branding is integrated directly into the weave and the heel is pull-tab-free.
What's with the trimmed-down makeover? Well, the NMD_S1 MTBR speaks to adidas' eco-conscious production push, epitomized by recent projects like adidas x Allbirds, ongoing Parley collaboration, and the sustainability milestones that the company has been setting for itself for the past few years, including a pledge to use only recycled polyester by 2024.
adidas' NMD_S1 MTBR boasts an outsole made of recycled material that speaks directly to these aims, its mottled finish a quiet reminder of the disparate waste product repurposed into the sole unit.
If, somehow, any of this was not clear from the contextual cues, "MADE TO BE REMADE" is printed in all-caps on the midsole and behind the tongue.
adidas' NMD was a massive success for the company when it launched in late 2015 — it's not an exaggeration to say that these things were everywhere.
But, like the Stan Smith before it and the Ultraboost after it, the NMD was shuffled aside to make room for other priority adidas silhouettes.
The NMD was frequently reimagined over the ensuing years as a mid-top, slip-on, and running shoe.
It even had the honor of being Chanel's first official sneaker collab, thanks to NMD devotee Pharrell.
In fact, Pharrell recently remixed the NMD as a boot while NEIGHBORHOOD inexplicably brought the NMD_R1 back in paisley, foretelling the next generation of NMD sneakers.
The NMD_S1 MTBR is our first peek at the brave new world of NMDs.
