If you thought the Wales Bonner x adidas Samba was the peak of what this collaboration could do, think again. The latest release from the partnership is something else entirely - a handwoven sneaker-sandal hybrid called the Karintha, and it is genuinely unlike anything adidas has put its name to before.
What exactly is the Karintha?
The Karintha blurs the line between footwear categories in the most interesting way possible. Part sneaker, part sandal, it sits in that increasingly popular territory where utility meets craft. But what really sets it apart is the process behind it - each pair is handwoven in Brazil, making this a piece of footwear with a genuine artisanal story attached to it.
For a brand the size of adidas, leaning this hard into slow, handmade construction is a bold move. It signals that the Wales Bonner partnership is about more than putting a designer logo on a classic silhouette. This is a collaboration that wants to push into new territory.
Why Wales Bonner keeps getting it right
Designer Grace Wales Bonner has built her brand around a deep engagement with African and diasporic culture, craftsmanship, and the kind of research-led design that actually means something. Her adidas work has always reflected that seriousness - which is why the Sambas felt elevated rather than just trendy, and why the Karintha feels like a natural next step rather than a left turn.
The choice to have the sandal handwoven in Brazil adds a layer of cultural and geographic specificity that is very on-brand for Wales Bonner. It is the kind of detail that rewards people who pay attention.
The sneaker-sandal moment is real
The Karintha is also arriving at exactly the right time. Hybrid footwear - pieces that refuse to be neatly categorised - has been a growing conversation in fashion for a few seasons now. A handwoven sandal-sneaker from one of the most thoughtful collaborations in sportswear feels like a meaningful contribution to that conversation, not just a trend chase.
According to Highsnobiety, this drop is part of Wales Bonner's summer 2026 adidas offering, so there is still time to prepare yourself emotionally and financially. Whether you are a collector, a craft enthusiast, or just someone who appreciates footwear that has something to say, the Karintha is worth watching closely.
