Kicks: adidas SL 72

The words ‘cult’ and ‘classic’ are starting to feel a little over used, but the SL 72, with its low-cut, grooved midsole, forked forefoot, deserves the thumbs up. Simplicity always ages with dignity, but via a helping hand from a vintage treatment, the softer textures and faded colors carry an extra resonance.

Originally released in the early ’70s with training intent to coincide with 1972’s Olympic Games, the SL 72 which standsfor appropriately standing for Super Light performed well but was elevated to trend level by an European audience hunting the mix of cleanliness and subtle eccentricities adidas effortlessly unleashed in the ’70s and early ’80s.