I haven’t picked up an Adidas in a while (since the SPZLs), so I was about due. These Adidas Rivalry Low XLD seem to take their look from the French flag.
The Adidas Rivalry was Patrick Ewing’s signature shoe when it first came out in the 80s and the low top version has been retro’d multiple times in many colorways.
I saw a video where a friend was reviewing a leather pair of these, and it sparked me to want to grab a pair! Seeing as I didn’t want to be a copycat and I also wanted a pair of Adidas after so long without, so I went with a suede pair and I’m glad I did. I kinda want a leather pair too now though!
Features/Extras
These ship in a regular blue and white Adidas box with offwhite laces. Besides the typical care tags that come with many Adidas, there are not any extras with the shoe.
How Are The Materials?
We get a fairly decent level of suede here on the entire upper except for the shiny nylon tongue. I’ve never been a fan of this tongue that Adidas seems to use, but otherwise the materials are very good for the price point. The materials alone make me want to pick up a leather pair to see if it is any good! While New Balance tends to offer a bit better suede, the price is usually higher, so for the money the materials are great here!
How Do They Fit?
These Adidas Rivalry Low XLD fit true size. They fit very comfortably at that size with similar cushioning to other Adidas casual retros. The Rivalry are comfy to wear for a few hours, and on feet they remind me of a certain category of 80s trainer (i.e. Powerphase, Club C, Ralph Sampson etc).
Where To Cop the Adidas Rivalry Low XLD
As of the writing of this article, you can find these on eBay or shop Rivalry Lows at Adidas.
Colorway: Royal Blue / Core White / Scarlet
Style Code: EF6414
Year of Release: 2020
MSRP: $85