adidas NMD_R1 Primeknit 'Dragon Patch'
Colorway: Core Black/Core Black/Red · Style code: EH2238 · Release date: May 2, 2020 · Price: $150 · Availability: Available now
The Dragon Boat Festival is marked across China each year, and adidas built this pair around it. The reference is embroidered rather than printed: dragon work wraps around the heel of the shoe, raised off the surface so it catches light and shadow in a way a graphic on knit never would. That placement keeps the rest of the upper clear.
That upper is breathable black Primeknit, worked in one piece, with red striping running around the sock-like collar as the only other colour on the shoe. Red and black together are conventional festival colours, which is what the detailing draws on. Underneath, the Boost midsole is white and runs the full length, a hard contrast against the dark knit above it, and the EVA inserts set into the foam are kept tonal so they add stability without adding a third element to look at. It released May 2, 2020 at $150.