Adidas Taekwondo 2026: The New Low Profile Silhouettes for India

For a while the low profile wave in India meant one word: Samba. Then the Gazelle and Campus joined in, and the slim retro shape became the default for anyone who wanted to look put together without trying. In 2026 adidas pushed that idea even further, into shoes so thin and clean they almost read like ballet slippers. The name leading the charge is the Taekwondo.

If you have scrolled through fashion feeds this year, you have already seen it. A barely there sole, a soft leather upper, laces done neatly, worn with baggy track pants or a plain baby tee. It is the next step after the Samba, and it is very much aimed at the Indian buyer who has been living in low profile silhouettes for two seasons now.

Photo: Kicks Machine, Adidas Taekwondo Mei Cow Print Womens

What the adidas Taekwondo actually is

The Taekwondo is exactly what it sounds like: a shoe rooted in martial arts, built thin and flat with a slim upper and a low collar. adidas leaned into that heritage and gave it a modern, feminine finish, so the current Taekwondo Mei balances the old martial arts shape with soccer and ballet touches (via Highsnobiety). The result is a sneaker that feels dressier than a chunky trainer but more relaxed than an actual flat.

That thin sole is the whole point. Where the last few years chased height and bulk, 2026 has gone the other way. adidas is continuing the thin sole trend with the Taekwondo Mei Elite update (via House of Heat), and the shape has become the poster child for the barely there look that is everywhere right now.

For an Indian closet this matters because the Taekwondo does the one thing the Samba does so well: it disappears into an outfit. It sits low, it stays neutral, and it lets the rest of the fit do the talking.

The 2026 lineup worth knowing

The Taekwondo is not a single shoe anymore; it is a small family. Spring 2026 brought a run of Taekwondo Mei Ballet styles, including soft Liberty London prints in pink and black, plus a "Sandy Pink" Elite with a satiny pink leather upper that genuinely looks like a ballet slipper (via House of Heat). There is also a feistier side to the line, with a leopard print version cut through with red leather straps and accents (via Highsnobiety).

The important context is that the Taekwondo does not stand alone. adidas Originals grouped it inside a wider Low Profiles collection for 2026, sitting next to the Tokyo, the Japan and the Italia, all slim retro silhouettes pulled from the archive. In India that collection was fronted by Suhana Khan as the brand face (via Passionate in Marketing), which is a strong signal that adidas is treating the low profile look as a mainline India play, not a niche import.

Colour is following the same calm logic. Brown is having a real moment, with low profile shoes leading the way from rich chocolate to soft suede tan (via Who What Wear). So even if a printed Taekwondo feels like a lot, there is a quiet neutral version of this shape for people who want the trend without the noise.

Where the SL 72 fits in

If the Taekwondo feels a touch too delicate for your daily rotation, the retro runner side of the low profile story is worth a look. The adidas SL 72 is the classic example: a slim 1970s racing silhouette with a soft nylon and suede upper, a low stance, and a gum outsole that keeps it grounded. It has the same barely there footprint as the Taekwondo but with a sportier, more unisex read.

Photo: Kicks Machine, Adidas SL 72 RS Blue Scarlet

The SL 72 is the shoe to reach for when you want the low profile shape but you also want it to handle a Mumbai commute or a Bangalore coffee run without feeling precious. If you want to see the current colourways side by side, the adidas SL 72 collection is the quickest way to compare tones before you commit to one.

How to wear the thin sole look in India

The rule with these shoes is contrast. A thin, almost dainty sneaker looks best against something relaxed and roomy, so let it anchor the bottom of a loose fit rather than a fitted one. Oversized track pants, wide leg denim or soft cotton trousers with a plain tee is the safe formula, and it works for both the Taekwondo and the SL 72.

For monsoon months, be honest with yourself about the upper. A satin or soft leather Taekwondo is a dry day, indoor to cafe kind of shoe, not something to march through a Delhi downpour in. Keep the printed and pastel pairs for clean days, and let a suede or nylon SL 72 take the heavier duty. In peak humidity, a neutral brown or a darker colourway also hides the odd splash far better than a Sandy Pink will.

If you are coming to this straight from the Samba, the transition is easy. The Taekwondo is slimmer and dressier, the SL 72 is sportier, and both sit in the same quiet, low profile family. We break down the closest cousins in our guide to the Samba, Gazelle and Spezial, so if you are deciding what to add next, start there.

A note on authenticity

Low profile adidas silhouettes are among the most copied shoes in India, and the thinner the sole, the easier a fake is to spot once you know the shape. The stitching on the three stripes, the density of the sole, the shape of the toe and the quality of the box and tags all give a first copy away. Every pair we ship goes through a 6 step in house inspection before it leaves, and it arrives with its original box and tags. Cash on delivery across India also means you get to hold the shoe and check it before you pay a single rupee, which on a hyped silhouette is not a small thing.

Exact India pricing shifts drop by drop on the newer Taekwondo colourways, so rather than trusting a screenshot from an overseas release post, check what is available on site for current stock and prices.

Frequently Asked Questions

The bottom line

The Taekwondo is where the low profile trend goes next. It takes everything India already loves about the Samba, the slim shape, the neutral mood, the quiet flex, and makes it even thinner and more refined. Pair it with the SL 72 for the days you need something sportier, and you have the whole 2026 thin sole look covered.

When you are ready, browse the full adidas range at Kicks Machine, find the silhouette that matches your rotation, and buy it knowing it was inspected in house before it ever reached your door.