The adidas NMD (Nomad) launched in December 2015 as a futuristic lifestyle silhouette combining Boost midsole technology with a stretchy Primeknit upper. Designed by Nic Galway, the NMD drew visual cues from three heritage adidas runners — the Micro Pacer, Rising Star, and Boston Super — condensed into a modern silhouette.
The 2015-2017 hype era
The NMD R1 released in three initial colorways and sold out instantly. Secondary market prices reached 5x retail within weeks. The XR1, R2, CS1, and City Sock variants expanded the line through 2016-2017, with Pharrell Williams Hu NMDs, Bape × NMD, and White Mountaineering collaborations further fueling demand.
Core NMD variants
- NMD R1 — the original, low-profile lifestyle silhouette
- NMD R2 — higher-cut version with Primeknit upper evolution
- NMD XR1 — Boost midsole and mesh cage upper
- NMD CS1 / CS2 — City Sock, laceless slip-on style
- NMD Hu — Pharrell Williams Human Race collaboration series
- NMD TS1 — premium leather / luxury construction
- NMD S1 — modern reimagining with updated Boost
Cultural moments
The NMD Hu "Friends & Family" (2017), NMD R1 "Primeknit OG" (2017), NMD R1 "Bedwin & The Heartbreakers," and the Hu "Breathe/Walk" releases all became collector-tier drops. Kanye West's pre-Yeezy adidas period overlapped with the NMD boom.
Current status
adidas continues to release NMD retros and colorways, though the silhouette no longer carries the 2015-2017 hype. Current releases focus on sustainable materials and refreshed colorblocking. Retail sits at $160-$180 for most NMD_R1 and $200+ for Hu and Consortium variants.