Adidas shoes stir slavery controversy

NEW YORK, NY (WDTN) - Who would think that a gym shoe would cause so much controversy.

A new Adidas sneaker caused such a stir that the company said it's canceling plans to put the shoes on the market.

The JS Roundhouse Mid features a bright orange chain and ankle strap that has critics comparing its look to slave chains and prison shackles.

Adidas released the following statement to TODAY.com :

"The design of the JS Roundhouse Mid is nothing more than the designer Jeremy Scott's outrageous and unique take on fashion and has nothing to do with slavery," the company said. "Since the shoe debuted on our Facebook page ahead of its market release in August, Adidas has received both favorable and critical feedback. We apologize if people are offended by the design and we are withdrawing our plans to make them available in the marketplace."

The public got a first look at the shoes on June 14 with the caption, "Got a sneaker game so hot you lock your kicks to your ankles?"

The posting received some 3,000 comments, many calling the shoes inappropriate and offensive.

"Why would you want shackles round your legs that's just like back in slavery days #sillyidea," commented Shakira Allen.

"Wearing them you can feel like real prisoner," wrote Pawel Lisowski.

Aamir Ali also saw a jailhouse connection, writing: "Sorry but I'd rather not look like someone who just broke out of prison."

Not all comments were negative.

"Jeremy always pushes boundaries," wrote Hanna Lauwers. "Shoes like these just makes it even more obvious that only people with real guts want and would wear them. This has nothing to do with slavery."

Tola T VMZ wrote: "Not every thing with a chain is related to slavery, people."

Adidas did not say how many of the sneakers have already been made.