adidas Diego Forum 84 Mid ADV
Tuner culture characteristics for the archive revived adidas Forum 84 Mid. Following on from fellow team rider Heitor da Silva’s noble purple Forum 84 Low ADV release from December 2020 and Tyshawn Jones’ latest basketball inspired Tyshawn skate shoe, West Coast skater Diego Nájera partners with the pioneering sportswear brand to announce the adidas Diego Forum 84 Mid ADV - the first ever court-to-concrete remastering of the classic mid collared sneaker from 1984.
Born and raised in El Centro, California, 26 year old Diego Nájera has remained a pillar of influence ever since he first entered 2013’s Tampa Am. Recognised for his quick footed skate style and his upbeat character, there’s no real surprise as to how quickly the skater was snapped up by sponsors such as P-Rod’s Primitive Skateboards, Nicholas Tershay’s Diamond Supply Co. and hardware pioneers Wayward Wheels. Fast forward to 2017 and Nájera arrives as an official team rider for adidas, with appearances in edits such as Primitive’s ‘Never' and adidas' Das Days’ ‘Buenos Aires’ and ‘Adelante’ short forms all cashing in on the skater’s easy going flow and his down to earth passion for the sport at hand.
Inspired by pro rider Nájera’s love of cars, throwback tuner culture and the aspect of automotive modification, the adidas Diego Forum 84 Mid ADV is yet another time honoured silhouette to undergo a petrol-themed re-profiling. Although hailing from courtside origins, Nájera’s latest release follows on from his 2019 adidas Sabalo silhouette to join the likes of 2020’s adidas x Metropolitan ZX 8000, from the late Keith Hufnagel and LA-based artist Hanni El Khatib’s Metropolitan ‘Drift Pack’ release, to focus predominantly on celebrating the influence that evolutionary car culture has had on both the street and skatewear scene.
In keeping with the skater’s previously released car-themed decks designed in collaboration with April Skateboards, Nájera continues to turn to personal intrigue for his latest muse. Proactively redesigning the basketball classic specifically for skate, the summer coloured adidas Diego Forum Mid ADV is styled with premium grade full-grain leather uppers for heightened resiliency and structural support, whilst classic details such as the perforated toe box, breathable mesh underlays and the fully vulcanised cupsole stitch combine to pay tribute to the design’s original basketball blueprint. The two-tone white and blue colourway is a subtle homage to Nájera’s ‘City of Angels’ Los Angeles roots, whilst the icy blue rubberised outsole conceals cursive ‘Diego Nájera’ signature print detailing underfoot, beneath the traction focused updated tread. A removable velcro strap is a note to early ‘80s stylings, with the translucent sidewall panelling inspired loosely by the add-on modifications associated with tuner culture. Adidas’ traditional 3-Stripe details accentuate each exterior and interior facing quarter, with the recessed and brushed suede single piece eyelet helping to secure the flattened laces across the padded trefoil tongue. The supportive and debossed ankle and heel brace provides ample structural reinforcement to suit the design’s ode to boardfeel, flex and endurance, whilst the profile’s nostalgic undertone speaks volumes for its past-meets-present signature overhaul.
The adidas Diego Forum 84 Mid ADV will be available online at Flatspot on Saturday 24th July at 00.00 (BST).
