SNEAKER OF THE WEEK: The adidas Tokyo W SFTM is Leading the Post-Samba Era

Why the adidas Tokyo W SFTM feels like fashion’s next sneaker obsession.

Fashion has been moving steadily toward slimmer footwear again, from the return of martial arts-inspired trainers to the resurgence of vintage runners and narrow terrace shoes. The Tokyo W SFTM sits comfortably within that movement, though it feels less terrace-core and more art-school intellectual in execution.

Created in collaboration with Song for the Mute, the Tokyo W SFTM takes adidas’ low-profile Tokyo silhouette and strips it of anything overly nostalgic or predictably sporty. What remains is something sleek and far more fashion-conscious: elongated proportions, softly distressed colouration, suede overlays, and a distinct, narrow shape.

Notably, this is not simply another retro adidas reissue dressed up in fashionable colours. The Tokyo W SFTM arrives through adidas Originals’ ongoing partnership with Australian label Song for the Mute, one of fashion’s most quietly influential contemporary brands. This is the brands’ seventh collection together, thus simply titled SFTM x ADIDAS 007. Founded in Sydney by Melvin Tanaya and Lyna Ty in 2010, the label has built a cult following around emotionally driven collections, experimental textiles, and silhouettes that feel simultaneously worn-in and a touch whimsy.

“The seventh chapter between Song for the Mute and adidas Originals recalls the charm of mismatched childhood uniforms – a world of hand-me-downs, scuffed school shoes, the unintentional style of youth. A wardrobe built from what’s at hand, practical, playful, imperfect.” 

In much the same way that adidas’ collaboration with Wales Bonner reframed the Samba as something soulful and globally referential rather than merely nostalgic sportswear, Song for the Mute approaches adidas through texture and proportion. According to adidas’ own description, the shoe features Cold Cement construction, a textile-and-leather upper, and a rubber outsole designed for urban wear.

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Based on the adidas Tokyo, a silhouette originally innovated for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, this classic is now reintroduced through Song for the Mute’s fashion-first lens. The Tokyo W SFTM therefore taps directly into the current obsession with low-profile adidas sneakers that has already propelled styles like the Samba, Japan, and Taekwondo into modern cult status.

While the off-white/”preloved yellow” colourway version leans beautifully weathered and archival, the Bluebird colourway introduces something far more playful. The electric cobalt blue immediately recalls classic adidas iconography (almost the shade of the brand’s original shoeboxes) yet against the muted suede overlays and slightly distressed textures, it avoids feeling sporty in the obvious sense.

It is colourful, certainly, but not cartoonish. There is enough softness and material depth to keep it fashion-minded rather than novelty-driven.

Officially dropping in May, the Tokyo W SFTM arrives just in time for your winter wardrobe switch-up. With dark barrel-leg trousers, it creates precisely the kind of proportional juxtaposition street style savants currently favour: relaxed volume above and precision below. Even with oversized tailoring, the sneaker will maintain sharpness rather than collapsing into outright casualness.

If you’re less interested in obvious flexes and more into the finer details, you’ll gravitate easily towards the Tokyo W SFTM. But don’t be fooled – the Tokyo W SFTM absolutely still operates as a hype sneaker, particularly within sneakerhead circles already tuned into the post-Samba adidas ecosystem. It’s clear that these kicks aren’t designed to chase virality but enduring appeal – a shoe you’ll reach for over and over again.

Price: R2999

Available from 15 May 2026 on adidas.co.za