RIMOWA and adidas seems like an unlikely partnership but their new collaborative capsule collection has presented a seamless blend of the two renowned German companies. Releasing this month, the inaugural RIMOWA x adidas collection has blurred the distinctive lines between the footwear giant and the high-end luggage specialists, using the latter’s trademark aluminium sheen to present a polished series including the brand’s first aluminium backpack and the NMD_S1 Titanium sneakers.
Let’s look at those kicks first. The upper is made from adidas’ signature Primeknit but the titanium colourway has clearly been taken from RIMOWA’s instantly recognisable aluminium shell. The translucent midsole is scribbled with the coordinates of the brands’ respective headquarters in Germany, adding a thoughtful touch to the RIMOWA x adidas NMS_S1 sneakers.
Arguably the more interesting of the two new pieces is the new RIMOWA backpack, a logical expression and a great example of the brand’s utilitarian design. From a distance, it looks like you’re wearing one of their trademark hard-shell suitcases on your back, with grooved aluminium and padded utility shoulder straps each with carabiner and thumb loops.
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Adidas’ DNA comes into it with the backpack’s foam ridges, designed to mirror adidas Boost foam by overlaying the backpack’s surface to enhance comfort and help position the backpack as the ultimate outdoor companion. The fascinating design also features an elasticated webbing that runs through the middle of the pack to create a luggage pass-through.
Officially dubbed the RIMOWA x adidas NMD_Backpack, the piece functions as you’d expect from a suitcase. A detachable gusset allows for a wide opening where the interior features two deep zipped pockets and a 16-inch laptop pocket that has been inscribed with both the RIMOWA and the adidas logos.
Both pieces, defined by a palette of khaki and titanium with orange accents, will be released in Australia from November 17. The RIMOWA x adidas NMS_S1 titanium sneakers will be priced at $400 while the RIMOWA x adidas NMD_Backpack will be priced at $2,730. Both will only be available in limited quantities via RIMOWA stores in Australia.
