Adidas has barely paused for breath this month. No sooner had its latest collaboration with Grace Wales Bonner landed than another release quietly entered the picture—one that feels less about spectacle and more about memory.
That is where SPZL comes in. It does not shout the loudest, and it rarely needs to. Instead, it leans into something Adidas has always had in abundance: a back catalogue full of designs that still feel relevant, even years later. This latest drop does exactly that, pulling from the archives and giving those older silhouettes another moment.
A Line Built on Knowing the Details
When Gary Aspden introduced SPZL back in 2014, it was never meant to compete with the brand's bigger, flashier projects. If anything, it felt like a side conversation—one aimed at people who already understood the references.
Over the years, that approach has not really changed. As noted by GQ, SPZL has stuck to its original idea: revisit overlooked models and adjust them carefully, without stripping away what made them interesting in the first place.
That restraint is part of its appeal. It is not trying to reinvent Adidas—it is simply reminding people what was already there.
Six Styles, Each With Its Own Story
This season's line-up brings together six trainers: Mendocino II SPZL, Burnden II SPZL, Longridge II SPZL, Samoa II SPZL, Gralfy II SPZL, and Punstock II SPZL. There is no single theme tying them together, which actually works in their favour—it feels more like a collection of finds than a tightly controlled set.
The Punstock II SPZL will likely be the one people notice first. Originally released in 2018, it comes back in a soft 'Tan' suede that feels right for summer. The shape is slightly unexpected too—part trainer, part loafer—which lines up with the shift towards more relaxed, hybrid footwear.
The Samoa II SPZL sits at the other end of the spectrum. With its darker tones and familiar profile, it leans into classic terrace style—something Adidas has long been associated with. Then there is the Longridge II SPZL, which borrows from older running designs, a reminder of how much current sneaker trends still circle back to performance wear.
The remaining pairs—Gralfy II, Mendocino II, and Burnden II—are quieter. They are not designed to stand out immediately, but they tend to grow on you, especially if you are paying attention to the details.
More Than Just Trainers
SPZL has never stopped at footwear, and this release follows the same pattern. Alongside the trainers, there is a full run of clothing and accessories that feel in step with the rest of the collection.
The pieces are fairly straightforward—jackets, polos, shorts—but that is part of the point. They are designed to slot easily into a wardrobe rather than dominate it. Accessories, including bags and bucket hats, round things out.
Pricing has yet to be fully confirmed, though previous releases suggest a range starting at around £60 ($75) and moving beyond £300 ($375) for outerwear.
The Man Behind the Line
Aspden's influence within Adidas has been felt well beyond SPZL. He has worked on collaborations with C.P. Company and projects linked to Oasis figures Liam Gallagher and Noel Gallagher—releases that tend to sell out almost immediately.
Aspden's role also sits in a slightly unusual place within Adidas, because it is as much about curation as it is about design. Rather than chasing constant reinvention, his work often revolves around reinterpreting existing ideas in a way that feels faithful to their origins. That approach has helped SPZL maintain a sense of continuity over the years, where each drop feels like part of a longer conversation rather than a standalone moment.
SPZL, though, operates on a different wavelength. It is not built around those big moments. Instead, it moves steadily, release by release, building something that feels more lasting.
A Limited Drop With Lasting Appeal
The Adidas SPZL spring/summer 2026 collection will be released on 24 April through Adidas, the Confirmed app, and selected stockists worldwide. As expected, quantities will be limited.
That scarcity will always play a role, but it is not the only draw. What keeps SPZL relevant is the sense that it knows exactly what it is doing—and, just as importantly, what it is not trying to be. In a landscape where new releases arrive almost daily, something is refreshing about a collection that takes a step back, looks through the archive, and chooses its moments carefully.
