An in-depth personal review of adidas and Song for the Mute’s latest running capsule, The First Breath. A closer look at the pieces, styling, and overall direction of the release, with a focus on what stands out visually.
Launched globally on April 2.
Inspired by foggy mornings, misty skies, and the first breath of a run. I get that feeling straight away.
What stands out most is that it does not feel like standard adidas running product with a collaborator pasted on top. Song for the Mute’s design language comes through clearly. Hand-drawn details, sketch-like graphics, unfinished seams and branding. It feels more raw and personal than most running capsules.
From my side, the apparel is easily the strongest part.
The muted palette colours are good. Easy to wear. The whole thing has a rawness and playfulness that makes it stand out from more polished running collections. It feels different, but not in a forced way. It also feels like the kind of product that will age well because it is not chasing anything too obvious.
The silhouettes are strong too. I always find it more interesting when brands lean into lifestyle styling and think about how to make pieces feel distinct, rather than just focusing on the usual lighter, faster language.
The shorts feel underrated, especially with the exposed back compartment. The onyx colour works especially well there.
Both vests are strong. Probably two of the best pieces in the capsule.
I also like the adidas badge placement across the collection. It feels considered and understated.
The T-shirt is the one piece I would need to see in person. It is hard to judge properly from images alone. The main question is how the drawn detailing looks in real life, and whether it catches the light in a way that actually works.
The footwear is the adidas Supernova Rise 3. My clear preference is the off-white pair.
Aesthetically, that one feels much more resolved. The subtle drawing on the shoe works well, and the thinner strokes were the right decision. If they had pushed the graphic treatment harder, like on the T-shirt, it probably would have been too much.
The auburn pair is less convincing to me. The brighter inner heel and ankle lining slightly interrupt the muted feel and make the shoe look less balanced overall.
Overall: strong collection. Well-priced. Wearable. Distinctive. Accessible.
The apparel is the highlight. It feels like it is offering something a bit different in running right now. The footwear is solid too, even if one colourway is clearly stronger than the other.
As a full capsule, it works because it still feels functional while having an actual point of view. It also feels like the kind of product you would enjoy coming back to.