Alright, so everyone’s been chattering about these adidas Fear of God high tops. I gotta say, when I first heard adidas and Fear of God were properly teaming up for a main line, not just some one-off thing, I kinda raised an eyebrow. You know how these big collabs go sometimes – all hype, then the actual thing feels a bit…meh. Or it’s just ridiculously priced for what you get. I’ve been down that road before, chasing stuff that just ended up collecting dust.
My First Thoughts and Getting Over the Hump
I’d been watching Jerry Lorenzo’s Fear of God stuff for ages. Loved the aesthetic, that whole drapey, oversized but somehow still sharp look. But adidas? I mostly associated them with Sambas and Ultraboosts. Good stuff, for sure, but a different world. So, I was curious, but also a bit skeptical. Were they just gonna slap a FOG label on some existing adidas tech and call it a day? That’s what I was worried about.
Then the first images of the high top, the “Athletics 86 High” or whatever they officially called it, started floating around. And man, it looked… different. Chunky, but sleek. Kinda futuristic but also had this retro basketball vibe. It wasn’t just another Yeezy knock-off, thank god. I spent a good while just looking at pictures, trying to figure out if I actually liked it, or if it was just the FOG name pulling me in. You know how it is. You see something enough times, and you start to convince yourself.
The Actual “Getting Them” Part
So, I decided, alright, I’m gonna try for these. I wasn’t about to camp out or pay some crazy resale price. If I could get ’em for retail, cool. If not, no biggie. That was the plan, anyway. Release day came, and it was the usual online scramble. Website crashing, bots eating everything up. The usual mess. I actually missed out on the first drop, got cart-jacked. Typical.
I was pretty bummed, not gonna lie. But then, a few weeks later, I stumbled upon a restock on some obscure little boutique site I follow. Pure luck. Clicked so fast, I think I nearly broke my mouse. And bingo! Got ’em. The confirmation email was like a little victory flag.
Unboxing and First Feel
When the box finally arrived, it was pretty hefty. The packaging itself was nice, very minimalist, very FOG. Pulled them out, and the first thing that hit me was the quality. The leather felt seriously good, way better than I expected for an adidas collab, if I’m being honest. Stitching was clean. They felt substantial, heavy even. Not in a bad way, just…solid. That iconic three stripes design, but done in that subtle, molded way – I dug that. It wasn’t screaming “ADIDAS!” in your face.
Putting them on for the first time was a bit of a mission, though. These are proper high tops. You gotta loosen those laces quite a bit. Once they were on, though, they felt snug. The padding around the ankle is no joke. Super supportive. The platform sole is definitely a look, makes you a bit taller, which I’m not complaining about.
Wearing Them Out in the Wild
Okay, so how do they actually wear? Here’s the real talk:
- Comfort: Pretty decent, actually. That Lightstrike cushioning adidas uses is good. I’ve worn them for full days out, walking around, and my feet weren’t screaming at me by the end. They’re not Ultraboost comfy, don’t get me wrong, but for a fashion-forward high top? Impressive.
- Style: This is where they shine, obviously. They just look cool. I’ve worn them with baggy jeans, with more tapered cargo pants. They just work. They’ve got this presence, you know? Got a few nods, a few “hey, nice shoes” comments, which is always a little ego boost.
- The Downsides: They are a bit bulky. Driving in them? Not the best, pedal feel is a bit vague. And they do get warm, especially in summer. That thick padding and leather, it’s a trade-off. Also, keeping that light suede clean (if you get one of the lighter colorways) is gonna be a full-time job. Mine are black, thankfully, so a bit easier on that front.
I also noticed they’re not really “performance” shoes, despite the “Athletics” tag. I wouldn’t actually try to play basketball in these things. They’re street style, through and through. Which is fine, that’s what I got them for.
So, Was It Worth It?
Yeah, I think so. For me, at least. They’re not perfect. They’re a bit of a commitment to wear, both in terms of lacing them up and just their overall vibe. But they feel special. They’re a statement piece that’s actually wearable. It wasn’t just hype. This time, the product actually felt like a genuine blend of both brands, not just a lazy logo slap. I’ve bought way more expensive shoes that felt way cheaper. So, yeah, I’m happy I went through the minor hassle to grab them. They’ve definitely earned their spot in the rotation.
