How many times have you seen a sneaker that works just as well with baggy jeans as with a midi skirt? The Adidas Taekwondo Mei Elite Sand Pink (Women's) is exactly that: a flat, snug, padded-leather silhouette that has turned the adidas martial-arts archive into the feed's favorite shoe. Not chunky, not a classic ballet flat: something in between that has been showing up in street style and on TikTok for months without slowing down.
The Adidas Taekwondo Mei Elite Sand Pink is a women's slip-on sneaker with a premium quilted padded leather upper in a sand tone, pink details and three stripes, asymmetric lacing and an ultra-low-profile rubber sole. It reimagines the taekwondo shoe adidas has made since 1988 with a ballet twist, and it's the brightest colorway in the Elite line.
What is the Adidas Taekwondo Mei Elite and how is it different from the regular Taekwondo Mei?
adidas has been making taekwondo footwear since 1988, when it was after grip, lightness and freedom of movement for athletes. The Mei model brings back that snug construction and adds a ballet-shoe feel. The Elite version is the one that steps up the finishes: leather with a quilted padded effect running across the instep and asymmetric lacing the standard Mei doesn't have.
The general take in forums and the specialist press agrees: the standard Mei feels softer and more laid-back, while the Elite feels more structured and sporty. Here, in Sand Pink, that structure is softened by an almost lingerie-like palette.
Materials and details of the Sand Pink colorway
In hand, the first thing you notice is that the sand tone covers almost the entire silhouette, with pink saved for the details and the three stripes. The off-white sole does a quiet but important job: it visually lengthens the foot instead of cutting it off.
- Upper: soft premium leather with a quilted padded effect in a sand tone; three stripes and details in pink
- Tongue: keeps the model's signature hole at the top
- Interior: snug textile lining with a slip-on entry
- Laces: comes with three sets in different lengths so you can switch up the lacing however you like
- Sole: durable ultra-low-profile rubber, designed for pivoting and direct contact with the ground
Those three sets of laces are one of the most talked-about details: you can wear them almost lace-free, cross them ballet-style or wrap the laces up around the ankle. Three sneakers in one box.
Adidas Taekwondo Mei Elite Sand Pink sizing: should you go half a size up?
It's the number one question and it deserves an honest answer, because opinions aren't unanimous. The general consensus is that the Adidas Taekwondo Mei Elite Sand Pink fits true to size for standard and narrow feet. The fit is snug by design: it comes from a shoe made to feel the ground.
The debate starts with wide feet. Several buyers say they went half a size up and it was the right call, mainly because of pressure on the toe box and instep. Adidas, for its part, has even suggested going half a size down on the Mei model based on its return data, so the smart move is to go by your own foot.
Quick rule
- Regular or narrow foot + thin or no-show socks → your usual size
- Wide foot, between sizes or sensitive at the toe → half a size up
- Narrow heel: some reviews mention a bit of slack there; the longest set of laces helps lock it in
You can check the available sizes for this model at Next Step before you decide.
How to style the Adidas Taekwondo Mei Elite Sand Pink?
The sand and pink tones call for a soft palette around them: ecru, beige, light brown and washed denim. Its slim profile **works best with cropped or flowy hems**, because the instep needs to show for the quilting to stand out.
- Denim + white shirt: straight ankle-length jeans so the sand tone can breathe
- Midi skirt or slip dress: the ballet-meets-sport play is exactly the point of this model
- Neutral total look: ecru pants and beige knit, letting the pink be the only accent
- Leggings or slim tailored pants: with no-show socks, to lengthen the leg
An honest heads-up: this silhouette divides opinion. Outside fashion circles, some people just don't get such a flat sneaker, and wide feet may find it demanding. If you like what you see in the photos, you'll probably love it in the mirror.
Why buy them at Next Step?
It's one of the silhouettes that best defines adidas Originals right now, and availability in the Sand Pink colorway moves fast. At Next Step you get it 100% new and authentic, with 14 calendar days for returns from delivery and fast shipping to Spain and all of Europe.
👉 Adidas Taekwondo Mei Elite Sand Pink (Women's) — check your size and grab a pair before they sell out. If you want to explore the rest of the family, check out the full Adidas Taekwondo collection.
