1970s Adidas Java trainers reissued for first time ever

Just when you think there’s nothing left in the archive, along comes a reissue of the 1970s Adidas Java trainers.

Yes, this is a first-time reissue of a long-forgotten shoe, which was part of a range you might know about.

That range is the Island Series, which has been a regular on the reissue circuit for a decade or more. It’s a popular range, too, with various colour options available for the styles over the years.

But one shoe never felt the Adidas love, which is the one we have here. The Adidas Java is a distinctive shoe and very much of its era. Perhaps that’s why it was overlooked. But personally, I really like it.

It was specifically issued in 1977 as part of the Indonesian island series, and Adidas describes the Java shoes as ‘one of the hardest OG terrace trainers to find’. With no reissue in almost 50 years, that’s hardly a surprise.

It uses a design that hints at other similar shoes of the era without quite looking like any of them. The distinctive colours add to its uniqueness, too. A premium suede upper as you probably noticed, matched up with a leather lining and an off-white and red sole.

Branding to the sole as well as the tongue, a blue and red colourway and a choice of two pairs of laces to stick in them. I think that’s pretty much everything.

One thing worth noting is that these will sell through quickly. If you want a pair, £90 is the price. Don’t be forced to wait another half a century by missing out.

Find out more at the Adidas website