You’ve seen them. That thin, low-profile silhouette with the serrated sole and the nylon upper that looks like it was pulled straight out of a grainy 1970s film reel. It’s the Adidas SL 72, and honestly, its comeback is one of the weirdest, most successful pivot stories in modern footwear.
Most sneakers today are chunky. They’re over-engineered with carbon plates or giant foam bubbles that make you feel like you’re walking on a marshmallow. The SL 72 is the polar opposite. It’s light. It’s narrow. It basically feels like a thin piece of rubber glued to a sock. And yet, it’s currently beating out some of the most advanced tech-wear on the market for a spot in the cultural zeitgeist.
The Olympic Bloodline
Let’s get the history straight because people mix this up constantly. The "SL" stands for Super Light. It wasn't just a marketing gimmick; when it debuted for the 1972 Munich Olympics, it was a legitimate performance breakthrough. Adidas wanted a "podium shoe"—something athletes could wear while hanging out in the Olympic Village or, well, standing on the podium to collect medals.
It was the first shoe to ever feature the iconic Trefoil logo. Think about that. Before the Adidas SL 72, that three-leaf symbol didn't exist on footwear.
The original design used a combination of nylon and suede. Nylon was the secret sauce. It kept the weight down and allowed for breathability that leather couldn't touch at the time. If you look at an original 1972 pair, the blue and white colorway is striking, but it’s the traction pattern that really mattered. The "cleat-inspired" outsole was designed to give runners grip on various surfaces without the bulk of actual spikes. It was a bridge between the track and the street before "athleisure" was even a word in our vocabulary.
The Bella Hadid Factor and the 2024 Controversy
You can't talk about the current state of the Adidas SL 72 without touching on the absolute firestorm that happened in 2024. Adidas relaunched the shoe with a massive campaign featuring Bella Hadid. It was supposed to be a nostalgic nod to the '72 Munich games.
However, the 1972 Olympics are also tied to the tragic massacre of Israeli athletes. The choice of Hadid—who is vocal about her Palestinian heritage—to front a campaign referencing those specific games sparked an immediate, intense backlash. Adidas ended up pulling the campaign and apologizing.
It was a mess.
But weirdly, the controversy didn't kill the shoe's momentum. If anything, it put the SL 72 back in the headlines. Fashion is fickle like that. Sometimes a PR disaster actually cements a product's "must-have" status because the name is suddenly on everyone's tongue.
Why It’s Beating the Samba
For the last three years, the Adidas Samba was the undisputed king. You couldn't walk through Soho or East London without tripping over a pair of white-and-black gum soles. But fashion thrives on "what's next," and the Samba reached a saturation point where it started feeling a bit... expected.
The Adidas SL 72 is the natural successor. It shares that slim, "football casual" DNA but adds a bit more height in the heel and a more aggressive texture. While the Samba is flat and somewhat rigid, the SL 72 has a slightly tapered midsole that gives it a more athletic, "wedge" profile.
It’s also much more comfortable for long days than people give it credit for.
Is there a ton of arch support? No. Not even a little bit.
But the EVA midsole provides just enough dampening that you don't feel every pebble on the sidewalk. It’s a "barefoot-plus" experience. If you’re used to Yeezy Boosts or New Balance 990s, the SL 72 will feel like a pancake. But if you value ground feel and a lightweight build, it’s a revelation.
Understanding the SL 72 RS vs. the SL 72 OG
If you're looking to buy a pair right now, you're going to see two different versions: the OG and the RS. This is where most people get tripped up.
The SL 72 OG is the purist’s choice. It’s got the slim silhouette, the vintage-looking nylon, and that thin tongue that always seems to slide to the side of your foot. It looks like it’s been sitting in a box in your uncle’s garage since 1975.
The SL 72 RS (which stands for Reshaped) is the modernized take.
- The midsole is slightly thicker.
- The toe box is a bit more rounded.
- The materials feel a bit more substantial.
Which one should you get?
Honestly, if you have wider feet, go for the RS. The original 1972 last was incredibly narrow—designed for 130-pound Olympic distance runners. The RS gives you a little more breathing room without sacrificing the retro aesthetic.
Styling It Without Looking Like a Gym Teacher
The biggest risk with the Adidas SL 72 is looking like you’re about to go blow a whistle at a bunch of middle schoolers in 1978. It is a very "vintage" shoe.
To avoid the costume look, you have to contrast the slimness of the shoe with modern proportions.
Try pairing them with wide-leg trousers that break right at the top of the shoe. The contrast between the voluminous fabric and the tiny, sleek shoe is a classic high-fashion move. Avoid skinny jeans. Seriously. A skinny shoe with skinny jeans makes your feet look like toothpicks. It's not a great vibe.
The colorways are another area where Adidas is winning. They aren't just doing boring primary colors. We're seeing "Semi-Solar Yellow," "Utility Anthracite," and "Maroon." The yellow and blue "Bob Marley" vibes are particularly popular right now because they lean into that 70s sunshine aesthetic that feels so fresh compared to the muted greys of the 2010s.
The Sustainability Question
We have to talk about the elephant in the room: how these are made.
Adidas has been pushing their "End Plastic Waste" initiative, and many of the newer SL 72 models incorporate recycled content. Usually, the synthetic overlays or the nylon uppers contain at least 20-50% recycled materials.
Is it perfect? No. It’s still a mass-produced sneaker made of plastic and glue. But compared to the heavy, multi-layered construction of a modern basketball shoe, the SL 72 uses significantly less material overall. It’s a simpler shoe, which inherently carries a slightly smaller footprint.
Practical Next Steps for Your Rotation
If you're ready to jump on the SL 72 bandwagon, don't just buy the first pair you see on a resale site.
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First, check the sizing. These run true to size in length, but as mentioned, they are narrow. If you're a "wide E" fit, you might want to half-size up or stick to the RS model.
Second, think about the weather. Nylon and suede are not friends with rain. One good puddle and your vintage-inspired beauties will look like soggy cardboard. If you live in a wet climate, hit them with a high-quality protector spray like Jason Markk or Crep Protect before you ever step foot outside.
Third, watch the tongue. The "Evolved" versions have a textured tongue designed to stay in place, but the OG versions have a smooth tongue that loves to migrate. Some people hate this; others think it’s part of the "heritage" charm. Decide which camp you’re in before you drop $100.
Lastly, don't overpay. Unlike Jordans or limited Dunks, Adidas keeps restocking the Adidas SL 72. If your size is sold out on the main site, check secondary retailers like SNS, Bodega, or even Nordstrom. They are meant to be an accessible, everyday staple, not a trophy for your shelf.
The SL 72 isn't trying to be the future. It's a reminder that sometimes, the designers in 1972 actually got it right the first time. It’s simple, it’s fast, and it looks better with a pair of worn-in jeans than almost anything else in your closet.