We take a closer look at the adidas Originals collaboration with Neighborhood Japan. Both brands have a long standing relationship and keep pushing out collabs every now and then. This time, Neighborhood went with an all black theme across the range to propogate biker culture through the collection.

As always an unboxing video from my YouTube Channel:

First teased in May 2017 through a leaked image, the adidas Neighborhood Iniki instantly caught my fancy. I shit you not, I really have been looking forward to this sneaker to drop. And I have 2 reasons for this. First and foremost, this was a pretty sick looking sneaker. Although not many like it, being an Iniki and all that, I thought the murdered out colorway with just the right amount of white hits was sex on toast. Yeah, I am pretty old hence these adages. And secondly because I never owned nor tried on an Iniki. Since I took that decision to only buy exclusive and limited sneakers in Jan 2017 and no collaboration worthy of my attention featured an Iniki in their drop, I had to wait it out.

First things first, the fit on them is true to size. Also, this is the first ever Iniki to feature a Primeknit upper, the earlier models had mesh on them. The toe box, lace panels and stripes feature suede leather. The sneaker features blacked out full length boost as all Iniki models do. Subtle white hits on the lateral sides feature the Neighborhood branding while a first on the Iniki, a plastic heel cup provides the right amount of support. Also are the words NBHD and BRGD on either heels of the pair which stand for Neighborhood Brigade.

The fit on them is True To Size. However, I must let you know that the upper does not hug your feet like an NMD or UltraBoost does. It is like a regular runner sneaker which features a non hugging upper. Also the boost on them, as a result of the upper not being snug feels just about ok. Amongst all boost sneakers I have tried, it would come third. Right behind the NMD (with UltraBoost and EQT taking first and second place respectively).

Now, the Iniki is technically called an I-5923 ever since adidas Originals got into a legal spat with the name being trademarked by someone else. But I will still call it an Iniki.

What are your thoughts on the Iniki from the Neighborhood collaboration? Let me know in the comments. Is it the best adidas Iniki yet?

You might want to check out another Japanese Collab sneaker from my collection here – The Mastermind World EQT Boost Mid.

Shot by Vishal Dey for Bowties and Bones

Shout out to Vishesh aka Sneaker Dwarf, because I shot these images in his balcony. It’s funny how sneakers and streetwear can also connect you to individuals. People in it for just the flipping and hype don’t realise you can actually build real relationships from a community that shares the same passion.

More power to the culture in India.