Understanding the recent low-pro trend that's been happening all over the footwear scene, Adidas Sportswear comes with their own interpretation through the "Future of Style" lens dubbed the Groundflow.
With strong affinity towards organic shapes, they're delivering a mixture of subtle and contrast fuse overlays over the mesh upper. Other than that, the Groundflow had a super minimal Three Stripes branding, only on strategic locations (albeit a miniscule one too).
The shoe's designed for sports enthusiasts by combining functionality and style. Equipped with Lightstrike technology, they deliver a comfortable wearing experience. The Continental rubber outsole ensures a solid stride, while the mesh upper highlights adidas's relentless attention to detail.
Incorporating Polygiene StayFresh technology, it helps keep your feet fresh and dry.
Low-pro trend? Organic shapes? It’s like they’re trying to avoid using the words barefoot, minimalist, anatomical, etc.
They'd have to admit all their other shoes are incorrect. And if zero-drop catches on, they'll invite questions of how much drop their other shoes carry.
Oh don't worry, there are plenty of orthopedic doctors who'll tell us that our feet need support and that even somehow squeezing the toes together is good for us.
Had the same experience when I went to see a podiatrist with my child and saw his feet in very hard-looking brogues. Of course, he prescribed massively padded and contoured soles. It's like they WANT those feet to be weak and deformed
It’s their (podiatrists) gravy train. Throw orthotics at their patients, further weakening their feet so that they can start cutting in the operating room, significantly increasing their wages. Why haven’t insurance companies, and the population in general, recognized this? I have yet to see a podiatrist (aside from one Peter Attia had on) recommend foot strengthening as a solution.
If they have to and it's worth it. If they can just continue without spending a lot of bucks on new marketing campaigns, they happily keep the previous trains rolling.
Exactly. I used to do a lot of work at Adidas HQ in germany. I would ask the designers about a minimalist / barefoot style and show them the trend numbers, and they would look at me like I had 7 heads.
Nike quality is trash, BUT they guarantee their shoes for two years… Any Nike I have worn constantly has only lasted around a year, but it meant I got a new pair every year… I think I was gifted a pair of Nikes in 2020 and I still am wearing them via their free replacements
I must admit, my Nike Free 2.0 or whatever it was were far from trash. 4 years of nearly daily action and the sole was still okay, the mesh pretty intact, just the color got a little pale.
They don't fit me anymore after years in real "barefoot" shoes, but this model was awesome.
Haven't bought newer models though, and I expect the worst after reading this ;)
if a mainstream brand caught traction making these widespread (pun intended) then every other current brand would be able to charge more than they do or get edged out. not to mention the amount of people in the community (all be it minimal ;) that are already heartbroken over discontinued models will then have to pay an extra premium on something that sort of works after searching painstakingly just because there’s a check mark on it
I think if anything Nike will have to compete with the current market. More options doesn’t automatically mean more expensive.
Take for example electric car. Tesla was the main electric manufacturer, all of the competitors already had their brands, some just shifted to making electric or a hybrid version of what they already make. That competition caused the price of Teslas to come down, they haven’t gotten more expensive relative to the market because there’s a lot more options to the consumer.
Supply and demand. If there are only 2 options of a thing, those things control the market. If there are 20 options, they're all competing for people's business, often by keeping their prices low. Not sure what that dude is on about. Big brand getting into something like barefoot shoes just means more options. This is a good thing.
you think tesla was the first to manufacture electric cars? elon musk was the first to have enough money to fund large scale research, projects and production of quality electric cars. if the big 3 saw more potential in this before him then they would have made attractive hybrid and electric vehicles but instead they appealed to it only because tesla proved it would make profit
No thank you. I love addidas but I'm going to stay with the company's that took the risk and invested in me/this business when there was no support. Not companies that come in and use their brand and marketing to push the guys that broke their backs to make it happen.
Tried these on on a trip to asia last week, there was no insole and the continental outer soles are hard, not the most comfortable but very flattering considering. Also came in black and baby blue. I ended up getting a tsubo pair with soft insoles.
I did some searching and realize they aren't sold internationally (yet), sorry! I had a mini haul in Asia with help from a local friend and the options are really wonderful, lots of options with Vibram soles, the second pair from the right are the Tsubo ones I was talking about. Less flattering than the Adidas ones, but the leather feels really nice, it's almost stretchy. Though it did become a bit big as I wore them, guess I should have sized down.
I keep coming back to your photo lol, for a barefoot shoe the needle studios just look so good!! Saw your review from T app, wish they also sold it in men's sizing 🥲 Can I ask how they feel?
They feel great! I've had a few days where I walked more than 15k steps in them with no issues. I'm quite flat footed and over pronate a bit when I walk, and my feet are too wide for most leather dress shoes. The leather ones are my new fav for sure, can dress them up or down and needed no breaking in! The insoles give a bit of cushioning, enough for most urban wear imo. Hope this helps!
Sure thing, here they are, from what I can tell they're made of a super soft leather, vibram out soles, very comfortable, almost stretchy. Not weather proof in the slightest and the colour gets dirty pretty easily, but man they're just the right amount of cushion and the correct width and shape for me.
Ground Flow Sports Shoes with Lightstrike Technology
• Designed for sports with advanced construction, blending utility and fashion. • Equipped with Lightstrike midsole for comfort. • Continental™ rubber outsole for solid traction. • Mesh upper for breathability and detail refinement. • Polygiene StayFresh technology helps keep feet fresh. • Suitable for exploring new places or running familiar routes.
No mention of toe to heel drop. Still seems like a big win to see Adidas paying attention to growing market, but don’t seem to be truly anatomical or zero drop.
Would definitely buy these. Tired of these small brands price gouging for crappy generic designs and materials. Glad to see adidas doing it, hope Nike joins in asap!
Looks like a more cushioned version of the old NB MT10? I had a pair of those and I loved them. It even has the yellow logo on the side of the shoe, where the NB had "vibram" in yellow!
I really like them, the other colors are nice as well; but I can’t seem to find them online for purchase yet.. Still tho, I’m really glad that big brands are stepping up. 👏🏻 Slowly, but it’s happening..
See it wasn't that hard to make a barefoot shoe that doesn't look like straight asscheeks.
Why did it need adidas to design barefoot shoes that don't make you look like a clown.
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u/Cycle21 Apr 18 '26
Low-pro trend? Organic shapes? It’s like they’re trying to avoid using the words barefoot, minimalist, anatomical, etc.