Whether you love a certain shoe or not, you’ve probably wondered which shoe is better. With all the hype surrounding the newest release from NIKE or Adidas, it’s easy to get confused. In fact, the answer isn’t as simple as it seems. Here are some things to consider before making your decision.
Adidas
Whether you are a shoe buff or a sneakerhead, you have probably noticed the competition between Nike and Adidas. Despite their differences, both companies are battling to dominate the sportswear industry. They have both invested heavily in environmental initiatives and community projects.
While Nike is a global brand, Adidas is more of a European brand. In fact, Adidas has a much richer history than Nike. It was founded by Adolf Dassler in 1949. Its headquarters are in Herzogenaurach, Germany.
The company’s slogan is the “One Step Closer to the Stars.” The company is also known for its Boost technology. Boost foam cushioning makes the shoes more responsive and comfortable, while also improving the running economy.
Boost technology is also used on the soles of the shoes. It compresses the pallets for additional traction.
The Swoosh is the company’s iconic logo. It first appeared on Nike’s shoes in 1971. It also has a long history in football. In 1984, Nike swooped on the Air unit.
Both companies have had their share of hits and misses. Nike has invested heavily in its own channels, while Adidas has had a few strikes against it.
Although Nike has a larger market share, Adidas is a better growth story. In 2017, the company generated 21 billion euros in sales, and it has grown at a 15% CAGR over the past 10 years. In addition, the company is less expensive than Nike.
Adidas has also outperformed Nike in the design race. For example, the company invented the “boost technology.” It is used in the soles of its shoes for additional traction.
The company has also signed non-athletic celebrities, such as Donald Glover and Pharrel Williams. It has also outsourced the production of its products to several Asian countries.
While the company has a lot of success stories, it still hasn’t matched Nike when it comes to branding. Despite the competition, Nike has still managed to be the king of sportswear for decades.
The company has a solid reputation for quality footwear and customer service. However, it doesn’t have as much creative freedom as Adidas.
Boost technology
Whether you’re a runner, a fashionista or someone who appreciates good footwear, you probably have heard about Nike or Adidas Boost technology. Both have revolutionized the footwear industry by providing runners with an incredible amount of cushioning. These technologies are incorporated into classic menswear as well as contemporary streetwear.
In the mid-90s, Nike dominated the footwear market. Their air technology provided runners with great cushioning and reduced the impact on the body. Nike’s Air Max and Air Force sneakers became wildly popular. During the early 2000s, Nike had a massive market share in the United States. In response to the popularity of Boost technology, Nike has introduced two new sole technologies.
Nike Air technology is similar to Adidas Boost, but the sole unit of Nike Air shoes is comprised of an air bag. This air bag provides great cushioning and reduces the weight of the shoe. Nike Air also provides flexibility and a luxurious experience.
Adidas Boost is a cushioning technology that was developed by the adidas Innovation Team and German chemical company BASF. The two companies collaborated to create the technology, which was officially introduced into the adidas running line in 2013.
adidas Boost is made of a panel of small particles of plastic that expand to form a panel of closed cells around tiny pockets of air. The entire technology is made of thermoplastic polyurethane, a material that is incredibly elastic. The particles are then compressed using steam to form a foam sole.
BOOST form, which measures a 10- Shore Durometer, is the ultimate in cushioning and support. It offers superior support and has a maximum heel-to-toe cushioning of 25.3 inches.
The energy return technology offered by Adidas is another feature that changed the performance footwear industry. Runners were always looking for ways to improve their comfort and performance. Before the Energy Boost, there weren’t many options for runners. They could buy a soft training shoe or a hard competition shoe.
Nike’s response to Boost technology is different from Adidas’, but both companies have changed the performance footwear market forever. Both brands are committed to introducing new technologies that enhance the performance of runners.
Kanye West
Yeezy has become a billion-dollar brand, and Kanye West is the face of it. But he has taken shots at Nike in his music and on social media. And now, Adidas has decided to cut ties with the musician.
Adidas’ decision came after Kanye Ye made antisemitic remarks on social media, and was blocked by Twitter. The antisemitic comments coincided with a rise in antisemitic incidents in the U.S., according to research from the Anti-Defamation League. The company said Ye’s departure could hurt net income in 2022.
Adidas and Ye had developed a multibillion-dollar collaboration. In addition to the Yeezy Boost 350, the brand has a design license to produce other color combinations. Those rights expire in 2026.
Kanye has been working with Adidas on projects for years, but the relationship has been rocky. Ye publicly criticized the company’s CEO, Kasper Rorsted, in the past. He also made antisemitic comments about George Floyd, a former Adidas executive who died after taking fentanyl injection.
Kanye has also been critical of the company’s latest executive hire, Daniel Cherry. Cherry was previously the general manager at DC Comics. Ye has also runted on his podcast about the Jewish people.
Kanye’s actions have also put Adidas in the crosshairs of Jewish organizations, including J.P. Morgan, which has followed the lead of Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and Vogue.
While Adidas says it was aware of Ye’s remarks, it took two weeks to act on them. Ye’s erratic behavior had led staff members on the Yeezy projects to question his loyalty.
Kanye has been working with adidas for six years. The partnership has had a huge impact on the company’s business. However, it was overstocked in inventory and was facing a challenging year. Kanye’s behavior has caused a major PR nightmare for the company.
Kanye Ye’s comments have caused a huge negative PR hit for Adidas. It’s unclear whether the company will continue to sell similar designs without a Yeezy name. If so, consumers may not take too kindly to the move.
If Adidas is going to drop Kanye, it will hurt the brand’s net income this year. However, it will make it stronger going forward.
Michael Jordan
During his early years as a pro, Michael Jordan was very interested in signing a sponsorship deal with Adidas. He was a competitive player, and wanted to sign with a brand that he could market as an individual athlete.
Adidas’ CEO at the time, Gary Stokan, wanted Jordan to sign with his brand. He envisioned Jordan winning a gold medal in the Olympics and signing with Adidas. But Jordan’s parents convinced him to sign with Nike.
Jordan had never worn Nike shoes before. He was a fan of Converse. However, he wanted a signature shoe. His preferred shoe was the adidas Trefoil. He also loved the leather on the shoes.
Nike offered Jordan a five-year deal worth $500,000. However, Jordan wanted to sign with Adidas. He was not going to beat the Nike deal. Ultimately, Nike won the sneaker wars.
Nike’s executive team consisted of Rob Strasser, Peter Moore, Phil Knight, and Sonny Vaccaro. They were all concerned about Jordan’s value to the company. But they didn’t know that Jordan would be a superstar. And if Jordan had signed with Adidas, Nike would have lost out on billions of dollars in revenue.
Michael Jordan was courted by every shoe company in the market. He wanted a signature shoe and a contract that was close to Nike’s offer. Nike didn’t know that Jordan would become a superstar, but Nike knew that he was special.
Eventually, Nike and Jordan came to an agreement. Jordan signed a five-year deal worth $500,000. Nike also agreed to pay Jordan $5,000 per game. This deal helped Nike win the sneaker wars.
Michael Jordan went on to win the NBA championship in his rookie season, and the Air Jordan brand went on to become one of the most popular brands in the world. Jordan also made Nike the most successful shoe company in the world. Nike’s partnership with Jordan is still going strong.
Jordan was a star player at the University of North Carolina, and the Jordan brand helped Nike break into the fashion world. The Air Jordan brand has 34 models. New Air Jordan silhouettes are released each year.
