The 10 Best Adidas Sneakers of 2015

Check out our picks for the best adidas sneakers of the year.

1.

When looking back on the past 12 months of sneakers, it’s pretty easy to say that the year belonged to adidas. Sure, they’re still far behind Nike in terms of market share, and they have Under Armour nipping at their heels, but adidas was able to provide sneakerheads with something that finally felt fresh in a market that’s as reliant as ever on retro styles. Time will tell if they’re able to capitalize on the interest they generated this year, but for now, let’s take a look back at the 10 best sneakers that defined the brand’s 2015.

adidas Tubular X

2.

Rank: 10

Release Date: 8/1

Who knew that the adidas Tubular had this much staying power? What started out last year as a retro based on an ancient runner grew this year to become a full-fledged line. Chief among the models making waves was the adidas Tubular X, a shoe indicative of the adidas Originals team's ability to create new silos to complement retro styles, and a sort of Yeezy-lite option for those who struck out on the 750s.


adidas D Rose 6

4.

Rank: 9

Release Date: 10/15

Since signing his mega deal with adidas in 2012, things haven’t gone exactly as Derrick Rose may have planned on the footwear side. Rose’s consistent injuries have meant that fans rarely, if ever, get to even see him wearing his own models on court. But after a decent 2014, and a mostly healthy start to the 2015 campaign, it appears things could be back on track. The D Rose 6 helps the comeback out with a strap system reminiscent of the Y-3 line, along with a generous allotment of Boost.


6.

Rank: 8

Release Date: 4/1

There's no design in the adidas Y-3 oeuvre that holds more weight than the Qasa. The shoe, a staple for anyone seeking the urban ninja look, has been around for a couple of years now. It's even been around in a blackout colorway before (2014 had a similar release) but this pair edges that one out with its slightly darker look.


adidas ZX Flux Xeno

8.

Rank: 7

Release Date: 2/13

The adidas ZX Flux was a huge shoe last year between the wild graphic editions and the full customization allowed by the miZXFLUX app. It managed to keep the momentum going in 2015, with its biggest moment coming from the "Xeno" edition, a color-shifting reflective affair that debuted during NBA All-Star weekend and spawned plenty of successors as the year went on.


adidas Crazylight Boost 2015

10.

Rank: 6

Release Date: 7/1

The original adidas Crazy Light changed the game in 2011 when it came to basketball: Its 9.8-ounce weight was unheard of at the time for a performance hoops sneaker. Since then, the line has added a few additional innovations, like 2014’s introduction of Boost cushioning. The latest version built on that, adding Primeknit in 2015, for the most complete version of the concept yet.


Palace x adidas Primeknit Pro

12.

Rank: 5

Release Date: 5/16

When was the last time you really wanted to get your hands on a skate sneaker? The adidas x Palace Primeknit Pro is one of those rare silhouettes in the skate category that had non-skaters beasting. Co-designed with Palace Skateboards, the aesthetic of the sneaker was borrowed from the Gazelle Indoor, but with a clean Primeknit upper and updated technology to meet the standards of modern skating. This marked the first time Primeknit was seen on a skate shoe, and the beginning of a slew of other retro updates with the technology to come in 2016.


14.

Rank: 4

Release Date: 11/27

Kanye West isn’t the only G.O.O.D. Music associate with an adidas deal. The newly appointed president of the label built on the success of his previous adidas collaboration with a Black Friday launch this year. The color may have been the only thing that changed, but there was still plenty of interest around this street-inspired sneaker. 


adidas Yeezy 750 Boost

16.

Rank: 3

Release Date: 2/14

Away from the basketball events during NBA All-Star Weekend in New York this year, the launch of Yeezy 750 Boost was the real show. Not only was it the very first time people got to see the first fruits of Kanye West's line with adidas, but it was the also the first time adidas released product through its mobile app, Confirmed. With the 750 Boost's polarizing effect among sneakerheads, the shoe and everything around it was definitely one of the biggest sneaker stories of 2015. And say what you will about the design of the shoe, but you definitely can't say the sneaker wasn't original.


adidas Yeezy 350 Boost

18.

Rank: 2

Release Date: 6/27

While neither of Kanye’s adidas models released in 2015 grabbed the top spot on our list, it’s hard to overstate their importance. Without them, and Kanye’s association with the brand, there’s a good chance none of the shoes on this list would have had the success that they did. As for the shoes themselves, the 350 was the more wearable of the two thanks to its low cut and exceptional comfort. And even as more numbers were produced with each colorway, there was no lack of demand.


adidas Ultra Boost

20.

Rank: 1

Release Date: 2/11

The Ultra Boost is one of adidas' most innovative designs in quite some time. Not only was it a game changer in using Boost and Primeknit technology together on the same shoe, but it also had appeal from a style perspective. Since debuting this past February, we've seen the silhouette expand to new variations on the upper, collaborations, and even the introduction of adidas' Futurecraft concept. There's no doubt that the Ultra Boost is a new classic for the Three Stripes, and a sign for what's ahead for the brand.