Adidas Stan Smith Homer Simpson: D’oh
Price: $120 [Partly Sold Out; Check eBay for Current Pricing]
Why Buy:
The Adidas Stan Smith Homer Simpson is a surprisingly subtle way to wear your memes.
Why Avoid:
The Adidas Stan Smith Homer Simpson isn’t the best Stan Smith they make from a quality perspective.
Specs
| Model | Stan Smith Homer Simpson |
| Height | Low |
| Materials | Leather / Rubber |
| Size | 13 |
| Weight | 498 g / 1 lb 1.5 oz |
| Construction | Cemented and Partially Stitched Cup Sole |
| Country of Origin | Vietnam |
History
Cartoon shoes must be one of the most stressful products for a company to launch. Most of the time they are absolutely panned – going directly to outlets. Other times, they can catch on and lead to a wave of sales that skyrocket a company. Compare the tie in Jordan Brand has with Looney Toons / Space Jam, which still mints major dollars today, and compare it with Converse’s effort with the new version that can be found for 25% of retail.
With the Simpsons intellectual property, Adidas has managed to do both. Ranging from the Flanders-themed sneaker that is still in demand, to sneakers that released last year and are still sitting at retailers, the collabs from this pack are all over the place. However, with this recent release, Adidas is taking things a step further.
Here, Adidas didn’t theme the sneaker after a character. No, they themed it after a meme-ified scene. There have been plenty of meme sneakers before. However, this might just be the first mass-produced sneaker where the meme is actually on the shoe.
However, is it something you would actually want to wear? Did I spend more time trying to find cringy Simpsons references than actually writing this review? Will Adidas release the dogs? Or the bees? Or the dogs with bees in their mouths and when they bark they shoot bees at you? Let’s dive in and find out.
Looks
For the most part, the upper of the Adidas Stan Smith is typical Stan Smith. That includes both the good and the bad. Before we get to that though, let’s talk about the key component on why this sneaker exists.
Around the back, right where you would normally have your green panel, Adidas added a fuzzy green patch. Fading into it, an embroidered Homer Simpson is partly visible.
Honestly? It’s done really well. Even up close you have all the details – well at least as much detail as a Simpsons character has. The fabric is even covered in sewn edges to prevent fraying. If this is what you want from this sneaker stop here – just buy it.
There are a few other key details, too. First, instead of the tennis player who gives the shoe its name on the tongue, it’s a wide-eyed Homer. Same with the name along the side – a gold “HOMER SIMPSON” can be found here. Harder for most people to spot, the insole is green and features a sewn in patch as well as a nice edge covering.
The rest of the sneaker is exactly like any other Stan Smith you would buy in 2023. While I’m on record liking many models in the line, the base leather one isn’t my favorite. It has so much plastic in the coating that it’s not particularly likely to last too long.
The outsole is also typical Stan Smith fair. Though, that’s probably a good thing. There isn’t much to complain about with this outsole.
Overall, the Adidas Stan Smith Homer Simpson does what you would expect it to do. It isn’t overly cartoonish to wear it isn’t wearable, but still has a bit of character.
Fit & Comfort
Fit
The Adidas Stan Smith Homer Simpson fits exactly like the base model Stan Smith. This means it is a bit sausage shaped, or in other words it’ll fit almost everyone OK but almost nobody perfectly. For a mass-market sneaker that isn’t really an issue.
Personally, I find most Stan Smiths run slightly larger than other Adidas models. While I’m a 13 in almost every Adidas sneaker, I can wear either a 12.5 or 13 with the Stan Smith. I typically wear them in the summer with thinner socks and go with a 12.5, though with these due to limited sizing choices I went with my typical 13.
For reference, I’m a 13 in almost every Nike or Jordan product, a 12 in most stitched footwear, and an 11.5 or 12 in most boots.
For a full list of sizing for every shoe reviewed on this site, click here.
Comfort
From a comfort perspective, the Adidas Stan Smtih Homer Simpson isn’t great. After all, this is a sneaker that was originally designed way back in the 1960’s. While the outsole has changed slightly since then, there isn’t much in the way of technology to provide cushion.
While not major, these are actually slightly less comfortable than the normal pairs due to the insole. There is no doubt the insole looks more premium, however the additional stitching for the patch and edge piece are noticeable. This might improve with time but still worth mentioning.
These sneakers are probably fine for a day of casual wear, but I would avoid them if you’re going to be doing a lot of walking. After all, what’s the point of going out? We’re just going to wind up back here anyway.
Materials
The materials on the Adidas Stan Smith Homer Simpson land somewhere in the middle of the more famous versions of this sneaker. The good news (well, maybe not for the cow) is that this sneaker is real leather. Adidas’ goal with PrimeGreen is admirable, but there are still serious durability concerns with that material in 2023.
The bad news is that the leather they used is heavily coated. Adidas knows how to use good materials on the Stan Smith, they just opted to not do that here. At the end of the day, I don’t fault them too bad. While this is a versatile meme sneaker, it is still a meme sneaker. I imagine only a small handful of people will be using this nearly every day. Using good leather – and probably raising the price $30 to do so – doesn’t make sense.
As for the rest of the sneaker, you’ll find a faux-leather covered insole primarily made of a closed cell foam. Below that is your typical rubber outsole. Both of these should last a reasonable amount of time for a minimalist style sneaker.
Pricing
As you know, money can be exchanged for goods and services. Goods such as these Adidas Stan Smith Homer Simpson, which originally retailed at $120. At time of writing size 9 and smaller are sitting, though bigger sizes sold out and are going for over retail.
You can check out current pricing here.
I don’t think anyone would fault you for being surprised by that. Other kitschy Simpsons Adidas collabs didn’t do anywhere near as well, with most (though not all) going for well under retail.
For comparison, a normal Stan Smith goes for $100, and the leather models go for anywhere from $120 to $180.
Wrap Up
Hey – look at these Adidas Stan Smith Homer Simpson sneakers. You like them? There is a pair for you online. Don’t like them? Neither do I. Get the hell out of here.
That joke (from the best Simpsons episode) rings truer than you would think. Objectively, these are not the best Stan Smith for the money. Getting a pair of the 80’s or Lux for the same price as these at resale will result in a more comfortable, longer lasting sneaker. That is not up for debate.
At the same time, measuring a sneaker like this on durability misses the point entirely. These are the type of sneaker you break out every now and then to get a good laugh with your friends. Many of them might only be worn a handful of times before being sold to the next guy who wears them a handful of times, etc.
When I first took these out of the box, I knew they were not for me, however the more I wrote this review, the more I appreciated these sneakers. I wouldn’t expect a full 100 wear review as these, but your pair probably won’t see 100 wears either.