This Legendary Italian Retro-Styled Sneaker Just Reached New Heights of Cool

Diadora’s Equipe has long flown under the radar beside viral lifestyle silhouettes like the Samba, but the latest version could change that.

Pair of sneakers with green suede heels, purple leather collars, and brown rubber soles on a light green background.

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By Hayley Helms

Published May 15, 2026

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Updated May 15, 2026

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For a premium, legacy silhouette beloved by European athletes and street style fans since 1975, Diadora’s Equipe has flown pretty under the radar here in the States.

Thanks to its new look, via a collaboration with London-based luxury brand JW Anderson, the Equipe might finally take center stage.

Sneaker with teal suede toe and heel, burgundy fabric upper, lavender leather side stripe, and lavender laces. — The Equipe trainer was originally created in 1975 as a shoe for elite athletes. Now, it’s a lifestyle shoe with elite vibes.

Luxury legacy

While Diadora’s Equipe has deep roots in European culture, the Italian brand’s heritage-runner-turned-lifestyle-stunner is still getting its footing in the United States.

Those in the know can tout its build quality and comfort (I happen to own this pair and love them) but sales are far outpaced by competitors like The Three Stripes and The Swoosh. For now.

Green, white, and orange sneakers with blue laces worn with olive green shorts. — The unisex stunner is the product of a luxury-minded collab with JW Anderson, and looks the part.

JW Anderson gave the high-end shoe a bold new look, with four new colorways, co-branded elements and premium hardware and materials.

Crafted in Italy, the upper brings together lightweight textiles, leather and suede with signature JW Anderson touches on the laces, including a small medallion.

Blue, yellow, and burgundy sneakers with yellow laces worn with loose white pants. — Multi-colored suede panels add a playful touch to the legacy silhouette.

Close-up of a sneaker with green fabric, white leather accents, orange suede toe, blue laces, and J.W. Anderson branded cream laces and tongue label. — Diadora’s stone-washed and waxed treatments give each of the four colorways a lived-in, vintage feel.

The slim silhouette features a swallowtail toe and heel-wrapping outsole, which give it a distinctive aesthetic and nod to its performance roots.

Each of the four color options (Green Night, Navy Peony, Empire Red and Princess Blue) are finished with stone wash and wax treatments, a classic Diadora touch that gives the shoe a vintage look without the wear.

Pair of sneakers with green suede heels, purple leather collars embroidered with "diadora 1975," and brown rubber soles. — Co-branding hits appear on the laces, tongue and back heel pull.

While the Equipe is already fairly pricey (the Equipe ’75 SW I own sits at $250) the limited-edition Equipe JW Anderson version takes things up a notch, ringing in at $470.

However, that high price tag doesn’t seem to stop folks from purchasing pairs at a prolific pace.

Of the four colorways, Navy Peony is already sold out, and the remaining three aren’t far behind, so act fast if you want in on this release.

Availability and pricing

The Equipe JW Anderson is available on Diadora’s website for $470, but be warned: this style is going fast.

Blue, yellow, and burgundy sneaker with suede and leather panels and a gum sole.

Diadora Equipe JW Anderson

$470 at Diadora

About the Author: Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in outdoor gear. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie and Shape. Whether it’s testing a new rain shell or putting a pair of hiking boots through its paces, she leaves no stone unturned (however, she always Leaves No Trace).

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