ADIDAS X REAL MADRID RIVALRY 86 LOW UV-REACTIVE BY BSTN

The adidas Rivalry 86 is one of the most important shoes in adidas Basketball history. As its name indicates, this shoe was originally released in 1986, and it was designed in response to two massively popular Nike models: the Nike Air Force 1 and the Jordan 1. The model, was designed by Jacques Chassaing specifically for the game of basketball believe it or not. At that time, adidas was already a well-known brand in the basketball shoe market.

The adidas Rivalry was released shortly after the adidas Forum and launched as a collab with Patrick Ewing in a New York Knicks colorway. It wasn’t technically a signature shoe, but it was as close to a signature as you can get without being one. In 1986, Ewing was named ‘NBA Rookie of the Year’, and celebrated with his very own collection at adidas.

The original drop consisted of three sneakers: the adidas Conductor, adidas Rivalry High, and Rivarly Low. Rumor has it that Ewing was particularly enamored with the Conductor.

This updated version of the Rivalry 86 features all the original tech specs of the original. In terms of traction, we have a super durable solid rubber outsole with a very 80’s style traction pattern. The pattern, as was typical during this time period, is etched out the rubber, instead of protruding out. The sole features a tile traction pattern in the forefoot and heel, a pivot point in the forefoot, and the rest of the traction is bladed. Not that I would actually play in these, but the traction is super grippy and the sole is tough as nails.

The adidas Rivalry 86 features a 3/4 rubber cupsole that houses a full-length slab of EVA foam. The foam can be seen poking out on the medial side of the shoe. This was a pretty great performance cushioning setup back in the day. In 2024, this is more than enough for comfortable casual use and offers a bit of compression underfoot. One feature, that I doubt is an original one, is that this re-release features a foam strobel, which also provides a little extra plushness underfoot.

This is by far the best feature of the shoe. The upper is constructed in a very nice and soft premium leather. Now, the retail version of the shoe features a UV-sensitive material for the BSTN star logo on the lateral side, and the three-stripe adidas logo on the medial side. They go from being white to “Real Madrid” purple when they’re hit with UV light. Pretty darn cool. The pair BSTN gifted us features this material on the majority of the upper, making the color change all the more drastic and awesome

The adidas Rivalry 86 fits rather narrow and both adidas and BST suggest going with half a size more than your usual size in this model, so that’s exactly what we suggest as well. I received a size 12 and a half ( I usually wear a 12) and they fit me perfectly for casual use.

This version of the adidas Rivalry 86 is just… cool. The silhouette of this model is classic and sleek on its own, but in this rendition you get elevated materials, Real Madrid details all over, and the shoe has the magical ability to shift from off-white to a regal purple. That is as cool as it gets.

The shoe tastefully avoids becoming a gimmick and just feels like an awesome off-court model and, if you are a Real Madrid fan, a must-cop.