Adidas is famed for its slender silhouettes, and for good reason: It makes an array of low-profile sneakers that are attractive, well constructed, and totally wearable. (You could say they’ve earned their three stripes.)
For this guide, we considered five popular styles — and we liked ’em all, for different reasons. Our favorites include the slim and sporty Samba OG Shoes (women’s, men’s) — they hit the sweet spot between form and function — and the exceptionally minimal Tokyo Shoes (women’s), which stand out as the brand’s most graceful design. But there’s no “right” answer, and depending on your preferences, you might find one of the other models that we tried more appealing.
Adidas gets the important things right. Each of the styles that we tested has a lean, versatile silhouette — wear them with anything from barrel jeans and wide-leg trousers to breezy day dresses and midi skirts. They come in lots of appealing colorways, ranging from reliable neutrals to bold, showstopping combinations. And they’re a good value: In our experience, these approachably priced sneakers, costing around $100 per pair, hold up to years of wear.
For a slim, elegant, and surprisingly sturdy sneaker, the Samba OG is hard to beat. As far as we’re concerned, the Samba OG has transcended its trendy “It”-shoe status to become a bona fide closet staple (it’s also one of our favorite white sneakers). Introduced as a soccer shoe in 1950, the design’s popularity has persisted thanks to its sleek shape, flexible comfort, and durable build. I can personally attest to the hardiness of their soft leather uppers, gently contoured insoles, and grippy rubber soles — my pair, in heavy rotation since 2024, shows hardly any signs of wear.
The Adidas Tokyo Shoes (pictured in wonder sage, off white, and gum, in a women’s size 8) are especially lithe and flexible
If you want an even sleeker silhouette and more minimal sole, go for the Tokyo Shoe. I fell head over heels for the lean and low Tokyo Shoes (originally created for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics). With soft suede uppers and wafer-thin rubber soles, these sneakers are the daintiest and most foot-hugging among all the Adidas models we’ve tested. Their proportions are particularly striking: They have a slim, tapered form that visually extends the leg and a shortened toe box that makes feet appear petite.
