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There are three things certain in life: death, taxes, and a new adidas lifestyle sneaker becoming the most coveted shoe of the year. The blockbusting adidas Samba shoe has been defining sporty-chic street style since 2022, and followed the craze around other iconic models from the Three Stripes in the late 2010s, like the Gazelle, Superstar, and Stan Smith shoes. While all of the above maintain their mega-popularity to this day, there’s another adidas sneaker that’s positioned to be the new It-shoe for 2024. We tested and reviewed the adidas Country OG shoe — the brand’s original retro runner.
Early this year, the Lyst Index report revealed that the adidas Originals Country OG sneakers ranked among the top two shoes of the hottest products list in the last quarter of 2023 — the only pair of sneakers to make the list. The under-the-radar shoe trend, quietly led by adidas and fashion fanatics alike, came to a head when adidas released metallic finishes of the Country OG, which quickly sold out, due to a corresponding search spike in line with last year’s dominant silver sneaker trends. But the beauty of the Country OG silhouette lies in its distinct vintage appeal, which opts out of all the bells and whistles as an efficient and supportive running shoe.
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Aptly named, the sneaker debuted back 1973 as a cross-country running shoe, with an ad campaign that promised athletes they’d “Run Longer. Run Faster. Run Smarter.” As one of adidas’ most stripped-down sneakers, it was designed to be ultra-lightweight, with supreme stability in mind. While the Country OG may appear similar to the adidas Samba at first glance, in terms of leather uppers, suede overlays, and rubber soles, it offers far more performance features that bode well for all-day comfort.
For starters, the retro gum sole on the Country OG extends to wrap the toe and heel for added grip to the ground, which is a game-changer in terms of balance aid and impact absorption. A two-layer midsole, which combines sponge materials of different hardness levels, doubles down on underfoot cushioning for a buoyant ride, while a slight heel-toe drop aids in arch support. The brand’s signature herringbone traction pattern is also uniquely made, as the lines grow thicker near the toe and heel for increased durability.
As for aesthetics, you’re looking at one of the first adidas shoes to ever front the brand’s iconic Three Stripes side contrast design. Today, it’s available in its original white and green colorway, something it once had in common with the Stan Smith, making it a particularly special heritage style. It rose to pop culture relevance in the 1984 film “Beverly Hills Cop,” when Eddie Murphy modeled them as a too-cool-for-school lifestyle sneaker with classic baggy blue jeans. Its minimalist design and throwback, varsity feel not only plays into today’s prominent retro sneaker trends, but also presents a luxurious profile, with flat laces, smooth leather, and soft suede overlays, making it a supremely versatile shoe in casual and dressy ensembles alike.
Below, our tested review of the adidas Country OG shoe, which we expect won’t stay in stock for long.
adidas Country OG Shoes Editor Testing Review
- Testing time period: 2 weeks
- Size range: 4 to 14 men’s
- Materials: Leather upper, suede overlays, gum rubber sole
- Colorways available: Cloud White / Collegiate Green and Core Black / Cloud White
- Pros:
- High traction and stability
- Thick, shock-absorbing midsole cushioning
- Arch support
- Suitable for flat feet, high arches, plantar fasciitis, or achilles tendonitis
- Timeless, trendy, and versatile heritage design
- Cons:
- Narrow fit is not suitable for wide feet
- More expensive compared to other adidas lifestyle shoes
Our Footwear News team regularly tests popular sneakers and emerging trends, including the best adidas sneakers, like the Sambae and the Puffylette shoes, as well as the range of bestselling walking shoes for men and women. To test adidas’ Country OG Shoes, one Footwear News tester wore the shoes across different terrain, from city streets to unpaved terrain, and for various occasions. He assessed the fit of the shoe, both fresh out of the box and after the leather was broken in, overall comfort, and styling versatility.
Our FN Shop editor tester was glad to report that the Country OG shoe held a firmer grip to the ground compared to other adidas sneakers he’s worn. He experienced incredibly stable footing on slick surfaces, such as New York City pavement during a rain shower, and enjoys that its streamlined look can pull an outfit together without looking like an overly technical, sport shoe silhouette, whether for quick dog walk or night on the town. However, our tester has feet with neutral width and found the slim silhouette to be constrictive, so he does not recommend it for especially wide feet.
Overall, the Country OG shoe shines in its high-quality details, which is likely the reason for its $20 price spike, in comparison to similar bestselling styles (like the $100 adidas Samba or Stan Smith shoes, for example). Its leather feels thick and durable yet not overly padded, which allows for breathability and extra room for styling with thick socks. It’s an excellent lifestyle sneaker for those that deal with common foot concerns, such as flat feet, high arches, plantar fasciitis, or achilles tendonitis, who find they lack daily support in other adidas silhouettes. Or, they simply serve as a stylish sneaker, which doubles as an exemplary adidas running shoe all the same.
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Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes shopping content on the best-rated footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Olivia received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book. She routinely reports on adidas’ bestselling releases, including trendy sneakers and athletic trainers that suit different functions, foot types, and personal styles.
