Whatever Kid Cudi's first original Adidas sneaker lacks in aesthetic appeal, it makes up for with sentimentality. The "Vadawam 326," first released in December, is a sort-of moon boot-basketball sneaker hybrid named after his daughter Vada and her March 26 birthday.
While I'd still call the Vadawam 326 ugly, enough of Cudi's fanbase was won over to ensure the sneaker sold out in less than 30 minutes. Those that missed the first drop will have another chance at Cudi's kicks as a new color scheme is set to release at the end of the month.
The new makeup adds more color to the Vadawam 326, putting blue and pink detailing on a natural-colored base similar to one of the original releases. White, brown, and several shades of cream feature throughout the upper and outsole — with the more vivid colors coming through in the laces, eyelets, sock liner, and outsole. In a vacuum, the colors work well together, and if you're already a fan of the shoe's shape it'll be a worthy pickup.
The Cudi flair —
The Vadawam 326 is unmistakable Cudi, using the Artillery Hi from the Bill & Ted franchise (the rapper appeared in the third movie) and retooling it to look like a moon boot. The Man on the Moon's love for space comes through strong in the sneaker, as does his love for his daughter.
A digitized "326" appears on the lateral collar, and at the heel is Cudi's special Adidas logo, which sees a human head being obliterated by an asteroid. Whereas Donald Glover's short run with Adidas offered little in the way of ties between the two parties, Cudi's turn with the Three Stripes successfully creates a through-line with his music and brand, giving fans more reason to pay attention to the releases.
Round two coming soon —
The latest iteration of the Vadawam 326 is scheduled for a February 27 release through the Adidas website. I made the mistake of predicting the initial run of sneakers would remain in stock indefinitely, so if you've got eyes for the new variant I'd suggest you plan to act quickly.
