Honestly, the sneaker world usually moves too fast for its own good. One week everyone is losing their minds over a chunky dad shoe, and by the next month, those same pairs are sitting in clearance bins at the outlet mall. But the Adidas and Alexander Wang shoes partnership was something else entirely. It wasn't just a logo swap. It was a middle finger to the "rules" of sportswear.
You remember the vibe. Wang literally took the iconic Adidas Trefoil logo and flipped it upside down. It sounds simple, maybe even lazy if you don't get the context, but in the world of corporate branding, that’s basically heresy. It signaled that this collection wasn't about "athleisure"—a word everyone was tired of by 2017 anyway. It was about "subversion."
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The Upside-Down Logic of the AW Bball and Skate
When the first drop hit back in late 2016 and early 2017, the AW Bball was the shoe that stopped people in their tracks. It looked like a basketball shoe from a dystopian future where everyone only wears black and drives vintage motorcycles. You had this massive, multi-textured upper sitting on a thick wedge of Boost foam.
It was heavy. It was clunky. It was glorious.
While other brands were trying to make shoes as light as air, Wang went the other way. He leaned into the weight. He used premium suedes and leathers that felt more like high-end Italian boots than something you’d wear to the gym. And that’s the point. You weren't supposed to play basketball in these, even if the name suggested it. You were supposed to stand outside a club in Soho at 2:00 AM in them.
Then there was the AW Skate. This shoe was a masterclass in minimalism. No stripes. No flashy branding. Just a chunky tri-color rubber outsole and a super-clean suede upper. It felt like a nod to the terrace culture of the 80s but stripped of all the noise. People who hated "hypebeast" culture actually liked these because they were low-key. They were the "if you know, you know" shoe of the decade.
Why the Factory Flaw Aesthetic Worked
Most designers want their products to look perfect. Wang wanted his to look like they fell off a conveyor belt in a factory that was running out of lightbulbs. He called it "production errors as a design choice."
- You had exposed foam.
- You had irregular stitching.
- The "Originals" branding was intentionally distorted.
This resonated because, by 2018, everything in fashion was becoming too polished. Instagram filters made every outfit look fake. The Adidas and Alexander Wang shoes felt raw. They felt like they had a story, even if that story was just a clever marketing ploy about "industrial rejects." It felt human.
Breaking Down the Seasons: From Resell Hype to Cult Status
The collaboration ran for six seasons. That’s a long time in the fashion world. Usually, these things flame out after two. But each season shifted the narrative just enough to keep people interested.
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In the beginning, it was all about the "black market" theme. They literally sold the first drop out of the back of unmarked white vans in New York City. You had to follow a specific phone number and wait for a text to find the location. It was chaotic. It was annoying if you just wanted a pair of shoes. But man, did it create a buzz.
By Season 3 and 4, the focus shifted toward "re-contextualizing" old Adidas silhouettes. We saw the rise of the AW Turnout Trainer, which looked like a Frankenstein’s monster of different vintage running shoes. It had this weird, oversized pull tab on the heel and a sole unit that looked like it belonged on a hiking boot. It was ugly-cool before "ugly-cool" became a saturated market.
The Technical Side: Is Boost Still Relevant?
We have to talk about the tech. Every pair of Adidas and Alexander Wang shoes that mattered used Boost. At the time, Boost was the undisputed king of comfort.
- The AW Run used a full-length Boost midsole that made it feel like walking on marshmallows.
- The AW Bball used a caged version to provide stability (and to make the shoe look even more massive).
- Even the later, more experimental models like the AW Puff Trainer integrated the tech in subtle ways.
Is Boost still the best? Honestly, probably not. Newer foams like Lightstrike or the stuff New Balance is putting out might be "better" for performance. But for a lifestyle shoe? Boost still holds up. It hasn't aged poorly like some of the older gel or air-based systems. It still feels premium.
The Cultural Impact: More Than Just Resell Prices
If you look at StockX or GOAT today, you’ll see that prices for Adidas and Alexander Wang shoes have stayed surprisingly stable. They aren't reaching the $2,000 heights of a rare Yeezy or a Travis Scott Jordan, but they haven't crashed either.
Why? Because they weren't bought by people looking to make a quick flip. They were bought by people who actually liked Alexander Wang’s "party boy" aesthetic. They were bought by fans of the "Wang Squad"—that group of models and creatives like Hanne Gaby Odiele and Binx Walton who defined the mid-2010s "cool girl" look.
These shoes represented a specific moment in time when high fashion and streetwear finally stopped fighting and started sleeping together. Wang didn't just put his name on a shoe; he changed the DNA of the brand for a few years. He made Adidas feel gritty again.
Common Misconceptions About the Sizing
One thing that drives people crazy is the sizing. It’s a mess.
If you’re hunting for a pair of AW Bball shoes on the secondary market, you need to know they run big. Like, really big. Most people have to go down a full size. On the flip side, the AW Run fits like a tight sock, so if you have wide feet, you’re basically out of luck unless you size up.
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It’s these little quirks that make the collection feel more like "boutique" fashion and less like a mass-produced sneaker line. It’s frustrating, but it’s part of the charm. Sorta.
How to Wear Them in 2026
The beauty of the Adidas and Alexander Wang shoes collection is that it hasn't aged like a "trend" shoe. Because the colors were mostly restricted to black, white, burgundy, and a very specific shade of "solar yellow," they still look modern.
- The AW Bball looks best with cropped, wide-leg trousers. Don't try to hide them under skinny jeans; the shoe is too big and you'll look like you have hooves.
- The AW Skate is the ultimate everyday shoe. It goes with literally everything from sweatpants to a suit (if you’re brave enough).
- The AW Run is perfect for that techwear look. Pair them with some nylon cargos and a boxy hoodie.
Is the Collaboration Dead?
Technically, the official partnership ended after Season 6 in 2019. There hasn't been a peep about a revival. Alexander Wang as a brand has gone through its own set of controversies and rebrands since then, and Adidas has pivoted heavily toward its own internal "Confirmed" app hype and newer collaborators like Jerry Lorenzo.
But the influence is still there. You can see DNA of the AW Turnout in a lot of the newer Adidas "Response" models. The upside-down logo might be gone, but the spirit of taking a classic and breaking it is now a standard part of the Adidas playbook.
Buying Guide: What to Look For Now
If you are looking to pick up a pair today, you have to be careful. Because these shoes used a lot of "deconstructed" materials—raw edges, exposed foam, thin nylons—they can show wear and tear faster than a standard leather Superstar.
- Check the Boost: If it's yellowed significantly, it's been exposed to a lot of sunlight or moisture. You can fix this with a sneaker pen, but it's a sign of heavy use.
- The Suede: Wang loved using long-hair suede. If it looks "matted" or shiny, the shoe has likely been through a few rainstorms without protection.
- The Box: The original boxes were inverted (inside out). If someone is selling you a "real" pair in a standard blue Adidas box, run away.
The Adidas and Alexander Wang shoes remain a high-water mark for what happens when a designer actually understands the brand they are working with. Wang didn't try to make Adidas into "Alexander Wang." He tried to show us what Adidas would look like if it stayed up all night at a warehouse rave in Brooklyn. And honestly, it looked great.
Final Takeaway for Collectors
- Prioritize the early seasons. Seasons 1 and 2 are the most iconic and hold their value best.
- Understand the fit. Always check user reviews on sizing before dropping $300 on a pair of AW Bball Lo shoes that might be two sizes too big.
- Look for the "industrial" details. The weird tags and upside-down logos aren't mistakes; they are the reason these shoes are special.
- Maintenance matters. If you buy a pair with the "perforated" leather or thin mesh, invest in a good water-repellent spray immediately. These aren't built for the elements.
Ultimately, these shoes aren't for everyone. They are loud, they are weirdly proportioned, and they intentionally look "broken." But for those who get it, they remain some of the most interesting pieces of footwear produced in the last decade. They represent a time when collaborations felt risky and exciting, rather than just another Tuesday morning drop on an app.