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Kader Sylla is officially getting his first signature shoe with adidas Skateboarding. The new Kader is a mid-top skate model inspired by a ’90s adidas Equipment basketball shoe, bringing Kader’s affinity for vintage basketball silhouettes into a skate-ready design.
Kader worked closely with adidas designers on the silhouette, which takes an unconventional approach to the Three Stripes. Instead of simply placing the branding along the sides, the lacing system reinterprets the Three Stripes as part of the shoe’s construction. A mix of materials and contrasting colors adds to the archival-inspired look.
Underneath, the Kader is built for skating with a cupsole construction and full-length Lightmotion midsole for impact response. A suede upper with AdiTuff underlays adds durability in high-wear areas, while elasticated tongue wings help keep the foot secure.
The basketball influence also extends to Kader’s own background, as he played the sport growing up and has long gravitated toward adidas basketball models. That interest helped shape the Kader’s mix of hoops-inspired proportions and skate-specific construction, creating a shoe that pulls from both worlds while remaining firmly rooted in skateboarding.
“I wanted to make something that felt like me and that I’d actually want to wear every day,” says Kader Sylla. “We looked at a lot of different references and kept pushing until it felt right. It’s built for skating, but it doesn’t feel limited to the skatepark. I’m excited for people to experience it and take it wherever they go.”
The launch colorway comes dressed in all black with purple suede on the Three Stripes, while a second version pairs black with brown suede and metallic gold Three Stripes detailing.
The shoe marks another step in Kader’s relationship with adidas, which began when he joined the brand in 2021. The Los Angeles skater turned pro at 16 and has since built a profile that extends beyond skateboarding through his style, personality, and connection to his hometown community.
The Kader launches alongside a global world tour that begins in North America this October, with demos, street sessions, skateshop appearances, and community events planned throughout the trip.
The North American leg begins in Minneapolis (October 2-4) before moving through Des Moines (October 5-6) and Kansas City (October 7–8), followed by a Denver stop (October 9–12) that includes a 303 Demo and time exploring the Red Rocks area. The tour then returns to Los Angeles (October 13–17), where Kader will celebrate the launch in his hometown with a Supreme event before closing out the North American run at Stoner Skatepark.
The world tour will continue through Europe, Africa, Latin America, Asia, and other regions through 2027, with footage and stories from the trip appearing across Kader’s YouTube channel and adidas’ platforms.
The adidas Kader will be available in the black and purple colorway at select skate shops and the adidas website starting this October. The brown and metallic gold colorway will drop later this year. Check out both below.
adidas Kader
Color: Core Black / College Purple / Gold Metallic
Style Code: KI0408
Release Date: October 2026
Price: $110 USD
adidas Kader
Style Code: LA7670
Release Date: Holiday 2026
Price: $110 USD
