No Retreads: Topps, Adidas Create Cleats Inspired By Baseball Cards

Topps and adidas are hoping that their new partnership will gain some traction among sports collectors and training enthusiasts.

The two companies announced the adidas Baseball x Topps pack, a cleat and trainer product that features the adizero Afterburner, Icon cleat and Icon Trainer.

The product combines the experience of opening a pack of Topps cards — specifically, Pro Debut, Opening Day, Sticker Collection, Topps Tribute and Topps Chrome — and imprinting them on a pair of adidas sneakers.

The centerpiece for the shoe design was inspired by the holographic images and statistics on the back of the baseball cards.  There’s also an autograph element if your favorite big leaguer opts to sign a pair.

Here are the new products:

adidas Baseball x Topps adizero Afterburner Cleats

This shoe features a one-piece hologram graphic that changes color with movement. The upper part of the shoe is emblazoned with statistics, and the 3-Stripes were inspired by game-worn jersey swatches from Topps baseball cards.

A heel pull tab not only features a graphic of blurred fans — giving the shoe a look of speed — but also a Topps certified autograph space for players to sign their cleats.

Other details include a Topps logo set inside a home plate icon on the sneaker’s tongue, and co-branded adidas x Topps sockliners.

These sneakers will cost $120. 

adidas Baseball x Topps Icon Cleats

A molded holographic heel clip and reinforced top cap are the signature parts to the Icon Cleats. Both are covered with statistics. The tongue tab includes a graphic of blurred fans and a Topps certified autograph space.

The entire baseball card-inspired Icon design is perched on top of a full-length energy midsole. A holographic plate in the cleat area provides optimum acceleration and traction.

These sneakers will cost $140.

adidas Baseball x Topps Icon Trainer

The adidas Baseball Icon Trainer has a holographic heel counter and reinforced toe cap. Like the Icon Cleats design, this model has baseball statistics on the heel and toe. The tongue top showcases a graphic of blurred fans in a ballpark, and there is a Topps certified autograph space for signatures. Additional features include the Topps logo on the heel and co-branded adidas x Topps sockliners.

This model will cost $110.

Related Stories:

10 of the Best Baseball Cards to Own Fanoculars, Topps Bring Cards to…Binoculars 15 Most Valuable Baseball Cards of the 50s

Bottom Mobile

Bottom Banner 336X280

About Bob D'Angelo

Bob has been a sportswriter and copy editor for more than 35 years and a blogger for a decade. He is celebrating his 50th year of card collecting, and still counts his 1965 Topps Mickey Mantle as his favorite. You can reach him at [email protected].