adidas Country runners

Country

In 1972, adidas launched its Country running shoe. Made for covering long distances, it was adopted by cross-country athletes and later became a beloved lifestyle shoe, particularly after Eddie Murphy wore it in the 1984 movie Beverly Hills Cop. In the early 2020s, the adidas Country made another strong comeback and is now a popular model in the legendary Originals collection.

The adidas Country features a leather upper with overlays made from either suede, nubuck or more premium leather. There are two designs of the Country OG, some of which incorporate extra panels on the flanks and a dual heel counter. Common to both are the signature adidas T-toe overlay and serrated 3-Stripes logos as well as a heel tab. All of this layering gives the upper a durable yet lightweight structure, while the smooth synthetic lining and thin tongue provide comfort.

While the Country retains the old-school aesthetic of the 1970s shoe, its sole unit has been updated to suit modern everyday use. Its midsole comprises a thick wedge of EVA foam in two different densities that offer a blend of shock absorption and soft comfort. Beneath this, the rubber outsole has a herringbone tread pattern across its forefoot and heel, with broader grip pads at each end for increased durability. An adidas Trefoil sits in a smooth section at its centre, while the rubber wraps protectively up over the toe and heel, giving added support.

Aesthetically, the adidas Country exhibits a compelling throwback style with an intriguing blend of textures produced by the variety of leathers used across its upper. Its low-profile design and extended outsole exude retro sporting class, and the angular stitching accents on the rear half of the shoe are a sophisticated touch. Minimal branding adds a clean, elegant feel, with a Trefoil tongue stamp containing French text celebrating the original Country, which was manufactured at a factory in France.

Since returning as part of luxurious fashion label Wales Bonner’s epic collaboration on the adidas Originals range in 2022, the Country has been released in OG style but also in several variants. There is the XLG, which has a bold platform sole for extra comfort and durability, Yohji Yamamoto’s refined Y-3, with its stripped-back, all-leather build, the Japan, whose raised collar and curvy heel panelling sets it apart from the OG sneaker, and the Country 2, with its sleek, streamlined shape.

The adidas Country has also been popularised globally through collaborations with fashion brands and designers. Notable sneakers include the artistic ‘Chinese New Year Pack’ by Los Angeles-based visual storyteller Feifei Ruan, a toggle-fastened version crafted with high-end Australian brand Song for the Mute and a distinctive colourway with a futsal-style foldover tongue from South Korean streetwear label YESEYESEE.

Aesthetically timeless and stylistically versatile, the adidas Country is a suave, retro-inspired silhouette whose comfort-focused sole unit and lightweight build have reinvented the heritage runner for contemporary day-to-day wear.