The TikTok-Famous adidas Adifom Stan Smith Mules Are the Unexpected Hero of My Spring Shoe Wardrobe — Here’s My Testing Review
Claire Sullivan
Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for Footwear and WWD
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Looking to put some spring in your step and earn major style points along the way? I’m calling it: adidas‘ Adifom Stan Smith Mules are the shoes everyone needs for spring adventures.
The adidas Adifom Stan Smith Mules take inspiration from their namesake Stan Smith shoes, although you wouldn’t notice at first glance. But a closer look at the details reveals a clean upper and heel cap design match the original tennis shoe silhouette. Beyond that, these mules are uniquely their own — and unlike anything we’ve seen in the adidas’ famed Stan Smith shoe franchise.
Big proportions are the defining feature in adidas’ Adifom mules. They feature a two-inch platform, a wide last, and a rounded, roomy toe box. The shoes’ upper, midsole, and outsole are made from a comfortable and durable foam material that’s in part sustainably sourced from sugarcane, plus a removable insole for arch support and a contoured fit.
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On TikTok, these mules are taking off, particularly among medical workers who rave about the shoes as a stylish nurse shoe alternative to standard close-toed clogs (nurses on the app report that they can hold up to a 12-hour shift with no issue). Outside of the doctor’s office, searches for styling the shoes have garnered 6.6 million views from the adidas-obsessed on TikTok. Social media fame has prompted high demand for the chunky mules since their June 2023 launch, causing the style to sell out multiple times in the seasons since.
With a slew of new colorways available for spring 2024, our editors decided that the time is now to take these TikTok-viral mules for a road test. Read our testing review, below.
adidas Adifom Stan Smith Mule Shoes — Editor Testing Review
- Testing time period: 1 month
- Size range: 5 to 10 women’s
- Colorways available: 9 available, including neutrals and punchy colors like hot pink and orange-red
- Special features: Created with 50% natural and renewable materials, including sugarcane-derived foam
- Pros:
- Stable feel despite the platform design
- Firm foam midsole provides support from heels to toes
- Easy to clean
- Cons:
- Run large
- Not suitable for narrow feet
When I ordered the Adifom Stan Smith Mules, I expected the shoes to be statement-making, however I wasn’t prepared for how big and bold they’d be fresh out of the box. The silhouette is oversized, but not in a clown shoe way: Rather, they offer the same visual heft that I love about my favorite platform combat boots with warm weather-ready features.
I ordered a size 9, which is what I usually take in adidas Sambas, Gazelles, and Ultraboost Light running shoes. Upon slipping into the mules, I found that I had a little more wiggle room in the heel and likely could have sized down to a size 8. Beyond that, these cute platforms are flawless for everyday wear and spring adventures. They have a plush, pillow-like feel underfoot with surprising durability; you won’t stub your toe with these on.
I’ve taken the Adifom Stan Smith Mules around town in New York City — I love that they protect my toes and keep my feet up and away from street grime while delivering a fresher look than my standard sandals and white sneakers. I can easily trek a mile or two while wearing them, courtesy of the cushioned insole that adds a bit of bounce and added support in each step. And about that insole: It’s removable, meaning I can wear them to the beach and quickly wash them down to remove any sand that creeps into the shoes. Beyond the beach and the city, the adidas Adifom Stan Smith Mules are a dream for anyone who loves to garden, courtesy of the platform height and protective upper.
I opted for the eye-catching Ivory and Solar Red colorway that reminds me of peaches and cream, and I’ve been styling them with tan parachute pants, white sundresses, and a one-piece bathing suit with a crisp button down coverup for a pool day. These mules are a moment — taking any outfit to new heights with their great proportions.
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Meet the Author
Claire Sullivan is the Senior Beauty and Lifestyle Commerce Editor for WWD and Footwear News. She has over six years of experience as a writer and editor for national media outlets including Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, InStyle, and Byrdie. She keeps her finger on the pulse of all things related to beauty and wellness, regularly digging into foot-related topics like plantar fasciitis or at-home foot peels. Sullivan tested the adidas Adifom Stan Smith Mules for one month to write this review.
