Here's What to Expect From the adidas Anthony Edwards 3 Basketball Shoe
Quick Fire° Facts
The adidas anthony edwards 3 is expected to release september 2026
Key Design Updates Include a weight-shaving support wing
Cushioning has been upgraded to LIGHTSTRIKE PRO & BOOST+ foams
same $130 price tag as adidas ae 2
—
Anthony Edwards and adidas Basketball have cultivated one of sportswear's more-anticipated partnerships of the last five years. The 24-year-old's unapologetic personality and the Three Stripes' creative direction across product and marketing have given the internet much to talk about. The Anthony Edwards 3 sneaker is looking to continue the trend.
The Anthony Edwards 1 and Anthony Edwards 1 Low (originally AE 1 and AE 1 Low) led the way. Their releases during the tail-end of 2023 and throughout 2024 swiftly sold out due to their on-court performance, future-forward style, and narrative-driven colorways. The NBA All-Star's game also helped push his signature adidas sneakers to the forefront of any serious hooper's mind, though not everyone found the same success in the robust designs.
The Anthony Edwards 2 (AE 2) hasn't experienced as much widespread fanfare as its predecessors, but it's seen increased playtime across all levels of basketball—especially the NBA and WNBA. The budget-friendlier Believe That 1, which draws inspiration from one of "Ant-Man"'s favorite phrases, is also looking to take over hardwood courts everywhere.
Edwards and the Three Stripes, however, are betting big on the AE 3.
Ant-Man's third signature shoe with adidas Basketball has been teased by numerous unofficial channels over the last nine months. Visually, the Anthony Edwards 3 is closer to the AE 2 than AE 1, but still introduces new design language that is sure to raise some eyebrows.
The model's most-defining visual detail is the plastic "cage" that contains the shoe along the profiles. The series of (presumably) TPU overlays follow the same shape that the Generative Support Wing on the Anthony Edwards 1 did. According to an official product description from the brand, this Wing was built to "provid[e] stability and containment, enabling athletes to play explosively in all directions while ensuring mid-foot breathability. The AE 3, however, abandons any honeycomb-reminiscent paneling along the sides in favor of a more traditional textile base layer that's visible in-between the chevron-shaped gaps that run from toe to heel.
One important callout is that the plastic rails extend underneath the outsole, effectively caging the upper and cupping the foot. The AE 2's Articulated Fangs system work in the same manner.
The segment "cage" likely sheds weight when compared to the AE 3's predecessors without sacrificing performance. And, though a big update for the Anthony Edwards adidas line, it seems the partnership has also taken a look at sole unit for some big changes.
According to information acquired by Elden Monitors and reviewed by House of Heat°, the Anthony Edwards 3 abandons its use of Light BOOST and LIGHTSTRIKE cushioning in favor of a setup that couples LIGHTSTRIKE PRO and BOOST+ foams. The former has been seen across marquee performance product from the brand—in particular the Adizero Running line—but the latter seems to be a new proposal from the Three Stripes. Nevertheless, it appears that Edwards and adidas Basketball have prioritized a more lightweight design that enhances energy return—two characteristics that unlock the Minnesota Timberwolves star's dynamic game.
The Propulsion Plate underfoot seems virtually untouched. The "X"-shaped component provides torsional support and propulsion. It's important to note, however, that more of it is exposed. It also seems that the X-shaped plate extends closer to the edges of the outsole, perhaps as a means to better engage the force put down by the big and pinky toes.
Lastly, the traction pattern sees a uniform layout. A wavy herringbone pattern appears across the entirety of the outsole, differing from previous models' sharper lines, though the AE 1 featured a similar presentation.
The Anthony Edwards 3 is expected to be the NBA All-Star's main shoe at the beginning of the 2026-27 season. If Edwards and the Three Stripes visit China on another Believe That. Tour, it's possible the shoe is officially unveiled between the end of July and mid-September.
Pairs are expected to release via adidas.com and other retailers for $130 (Men's). Big Kids' and Little Kids' sizes should retail for $100 and $90, respectively.
For more from the Three Stripes, check out what's going on with the 2026 World Cup™ tournament.
