The adidas Yung series launched in 2018 as an aesthetic response to the chunky dad-shoe trend led by Balenciaga Triple S and Nike M2K Tekno. The Yung silhouettes feature exaggerated layered uppers, chunky multi-colored midsoles, and archival adidas running references reassembled into a deliberately maximalist design.
Core Yung silhouettes
- Yung-1 (2018) — the flagship, most polarizing design
- Yung-96 (2018) — more subtle take, wider commercial appeal
- Yung-2 — continuation with updated tooling
Design approach
The Yung silhouettes deliberately combine design elements from adidas's 1990s running archive (ZX 500, ZX 700) and early-2000s trainers into unconventional proportions. Chunky TPU overlays, gradient-style color blocking, and exaggerated heel profiles distinguish the Yung from traditional adidas runners.
Market reception
The Yung series arrived during the peak of chunky-sneaker commercial interest and sold well initially. As the dad-shoe trend moderated in 2020-2021, Yung releases slowed. The line remains active in adidas's catalog but is no longer a major commercial priority.
Retail
Yung silhouettes typically retail at $100-$130 for general releases. Collaborative and premium material variants priced $140-$180.