In 2021 adidas celebrated the launch of its new cushioning technology called 'Boost'. But the brand didn't just slap the new innovation onto existing models. They delivered us the popular lifestyle silhouette 'NMD_R1' alongside the 'Ultra Boost'!
Unfortunately, the adidas NMD is now pretty much forgotten. The current mass hype is moving towards chunky sneakers and turning the focus away from the then popular sneaker silhouette.
But the thing with the chunky sneaker hype is that there is also a significant advantage on the flip side: The resell prices of many adidas NMDs, and collabs such as adidas x Pharrell Williams, have dropped sharply!
These are the top 10 adidas NMDS currently available at StockX:
1. adidas NMD R1 PK OG | S79168
Of course we start our Top 10 NMDs at StockX with the sneaker that started the whole adidas NMD era: The OG Colorway! It was clear from the very first drop that the OG colorway would become a coveted collector's item. But it wasn't just the design of a never-before-seen silhouette that convinced the sneakerheads of the world. Above all, the very first version of the adidas NMD with the sock-like Primeknit upper provided an unbeatable comfort experience with the addition of the new Boost technology.
A pair of sneakers that every fan of the silhouette can't do without in their collection and also a colorway that can be combined extremely well with any kind of outfit.
2. adidas NMD R1 PK Japan Triple Black | BZ0220
Another highlight in the run of NMD colorways is the all-black adidas NMD R1 PK Japan! As one of the first adidas NMDs to get a black Boost sole, the colorway convinces with special details. On the front brick next to the toebox you can find Japanese characters, which are the most famous transcription of the adidas brand name: The brand with the three stripes.
All-black colorways always go and the Primeknit upper opens up a new world of comfort for anyone who hasn't experienced Boost cushioning before.
3. adidas NMD R1 PK Japan Triple White | BZ0221
After a triple black colorway, the adidas NMD R1 Japan can't be missed out as an opposite all-white colorway! Here we get the sneaker with its sock-like upper with the same features but in bright white!
Is this perhaps THE perfect summer sneaker?
4. adidas NMD R1 PK Glitch Camo | S79478
Oh yes, we remember this pair fondly! The adidas NMD R1 PK 'Glitch Camo' is still one of the general releases that, alongside the OG colourway, is extremely popular with sneaker enthusiasts. (General releases = sneaker releases that are released without a collaboration and/or as a new edition). The colorway here comes with a white midsole, black bricks and a design on the upper that was not seen before the release in 2016.
5. Nice Kicks x adidas NMD R1 PK | AQ4791
Surprised that we're only on the fifth pair of our Top 10 adidas NMDs on StockX for the first collabo? That's definitely because adidas knew exactly what we all wanted and released some colourways as a general release that went through the roof. But the Nice Kicks x adidas NMD R1 PK still stands out with its design! The bright red on the Primeknit upper in combination with a black print in tie-dye look would still fit perfectly into the trend grid today!
6. A Bathing Ape x adidas NMD R1 Olive Camo | BA7326
It's getting hot in here with one of the three-stripe brand's best-known and most established collaboration partners. A Bathing Ape has been delivering fine collabs with adidas for several years now, ranging from clothing to sneakers. In 2016, aka "The Year of the NMD", adidas x Bape delivered two brand new colorways on the then hyped silhouette. A real highlight that everyone had hoped for was the iconic Ape Camo print, which is already almost a Bape trademark and was reflected widely on the nylon upper of the A Bathing Ape x adidas NMD R1 'Olive Camo'.
7. Neighborhood x Invincible x adidas NMD R1 | CQ1775
From the first collab with a Japanese fashion label we come directly to the next one, which was released a year later. The Japanese brand Neighborhood has also celebrated several collaborations with adidas. But in 2017, we were even able to enjoy a triple collab that also welcomed the Taiwanese store Invincible on board. At first glance, the kicks look quite simple, but the special features are of course hidden in the details! The sneakers each have a suede panel with two different graphics sewn onto the heel tab.
8. Pharrell Williams x adidas Hu NMD Green | BB0620
Let's move on to a collaboration that has been the talk of the town since its first release in 2016. You could almost say that the terms 'adidas NMD' and 'Pharrell Williams' have to be used in the same sentence these days. Simply because the adidas Pharrell Williams Hu models are always something special. The green colorway you can see above is one of the very first adidas x Pharrell Williams models ever. One memorable feature that can be found on each of the Pharrell Williams adidas NMDs is the lacing that runs across the midfoot through ropelaces from a grid on the outside to an identical grid on the inside. In addition, there are always different motifs sewn onto the upper on Pharrell's many models.
9. Pharrell Williams x adidas Hu NMD Pink | GY0088
Let's move on from one of the very first adidas Pharrell Williams Hu models to one of the most current and probably equally beautiful adidas sneakers by Pharrell Williams. Completely pink, we can also look forward to the aforementioned unique features such as lacing and a Primeknit upper! The kicks celebrated their release only a few months ago and are a highlight for us, which stands out from the complete Hu NMD series. Above all, a pink Boost sole has never been seen before and nothing similar is in sight.
10. Pharrell Williams x adidas Hu NMD Dash Green | Q46466
This sneaker is a must-have for our Top 10 adidas NMDs on StockX! Released around the same time as the adidas Pharrell Williams Hu NMD in pink, the 'Dash Green' colorway is a real contender. As one of the most popular Hu NMD models to date, the 'Dash Green' also excites us! Unlike most NMDs from adidas family member Pharrell, the sneaker not only has a comfortable Primeknit upper, but also a large-holed mesh overlay. The clean 'Dash Green' overlay covers the entire upper and looks great with the off-white sole and the bricks, which also come in green tones.
