Adidas dropped the Velostan Smith, reimagined for city cyclists and commuters. The shoe retains the same silhouette of the original Stan Smith while incorporating a two-bolt SPD-cleat system for clipless pedal cycling. The sneaker joins the VeloSamba as part of Adidas’ city cycling collection.

The Adidas Stan Smith has been a sneaker staple for over 50 years. The minimalist Stan Smith sneaker is one of the most iconic silhouettes Adidas has in its catalog. Introduced in 1964 as Adidas’ first tennis shoe, it was also the first athletic footwear to be made entirely of leather.

Adidas and Stan Smith, the American former pro tennis player, first collaborated in 1978 on the original Stan Smith court shoe and have worked together for over five decades, bringing the shoe to iconic status and garnering a broader audience off-court.

The cycling-specific modification two-bolt cleat mount is compatible with SPD clipless pedals. The two-bolt system is inset into the midsole so that cyclists and commuters can switch on and off the bike while wearing the same footwear. This is complemented by the introduction of a rigid nylon plate embedded into a synthetic sole, which has been adapted to cover the front two-thirds of the sole. This provides stiffness for the efficiency of cycling movements while also allowing for flexibility and comfortability when walking.

The upper is made from full-grain leather for all-season use, while the iconic green foam heel and perforated three stripes deliver the signature accents of the original silhouette.

In honor of this special edition, the tongue is embossed with a golden portrait of Stan Smith and his racing bike, found only on the Velostan Smith.

Kerryn Foster, head of Specialist Sports at Adidas, said, “It’s been very special to collaborate with Stan on this project alongside our Originals team. For over five decades, the Stan Smith has reimagined what a sport shoe can be, becoming as much of an icon in fashion and wider culture, as it was originally on the court.  We know that cyclists need flexibility when in urban environments, so this latest cycling-specific iteration was designed with this front of mind – a unique shoe crafted to help riders discover their local landscape in stand-out style.”

Stan Smith said, “The Stan Smith sneaker journey started in 1978, and it has been a joy to watch Adidas evolve and reimagine it ever since, with this latest version imagined especially for cyclists – being no different.  As someone who loves the adventure cycling offers – it’s exciting to see how these small but mighty additions can continue the silhouette’s sporting legacy. By bringing Stan Smith to cycling, I hope it encourages more people to discover new communities and find freedom through the bicycle.”

Images courtesy Adidas