Spearheaded by Jerry Lorenzo, Adidas’ collaboration with Fear of God was always going to be something special. And that’s kinda what this drop feels like. Stepping onto the streets, the Adidas Fear of God Athletics 1 Basketball “Carbon” sneakers (quite a mouthful) feel and look like a game-changer – a special fusion of high-end fashion, high-performance shoes and, of course, streetwear. If the Kanye West collaboration birthed a new era for the brand with three stripes, Lorenzo is certainly keeping the movement going.
If I were a gambling man, I’d be willing to bet big on the brands and be guaranteed a big win. You can’t merge two of the biggest and coolest brands in the world and not have an incredible outcome, right? And while some may argue that the sneakers are underwhelming, considering that they look similar to Lorenzo and Fear of God’s Nike collab, I’d argue that they’re exactly what fans have come to expect from the talented fashion designer. He has a very specific style, and it’s evident in all the products he releases – whether that’s hoodies, jackets, clothing, or footwear.
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The shoe’s visual appeal is immediately noticeable, featuring a sturdy, rigid box with raised Adidas 3-stripes and dual-branded Fear of God insignia, enhancing its premium feel. It looks futuristic – like something you’d see in a Blade Runner film.
At the heart of the shoe’s design is a TPU fuse layer in the shape of Adidas’ iconic 3-stripes. But it’s not just made for looks. It’s meant to enhance durability, too. In fact, a lot of the cosmetic elements of this sneaker are meant to serve as both form and function. The chunky, semi-translucent rubber cupsole, for example, houses Adidas’ Lightstrike foam, a lightweight, responsive material ensuring performance efficiency.
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So again, the Fear of God Athletics 1 Basketball “Carbon” sneakers are about merging both looks and performance. They look good, feel good and last long – three essential elements for any premium release.
On the downside, the silhouette presents a pretty snug fit – and that means that you’ll need to lean towards a half-size increase for most feet. But even still, these are definitely not made for those who like a looser fit of their kicks. They’re going to wrap around your feet like an anaconda squeezing its prey. Again, this is fantastic for ball players on the court, but probably not the best for those who are going to want to walk all day long through the city. Yes, there’s a bouncy underfoot feel, but I personally prefer to have blood flow to my feet, too.
Priced at $250, the Adidas x Fear of God Athletics One Basketball sneakers are not cheap at all. That said, the packaging (which is honestly on another level itself) and the design make it well worth it. I honestly would expect to pay double this just for this amazing box, the silver bags each shoe comes in, and the care they’ve taken into making sure your sneakers stay tip-top. You’re not going to get rid of the box here. This is where these sneakers will live until they fall apart – which might never happen.
Look, the Adidas x Fear of God Athletics 1 Basketball sneakers probably aren’t for everyone. They are made for the fashion-forward. And some people might not be able to get their head around paying this much for sneakers that aren’t Jordans. That said, there’s a market for these. I personally think that everyone who loves Yeezys would love these.
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Whether or not Adidas has found a worthy replacement for Kanye West in Jerry Lorenzo is another debate for another time. For now, I highly recommend you hold the Adidas x Fear of God Athletics 1 Basketball sneakers in your hand before you completely switch off to them.
