The offending footwear includes a yellow picture of an Asian youth with bowl-cut hair, pig nose and buck teeth.
Asian-American groups have complained that the picture on the shoe’s tongue portrays an anti-Asian stereotype.
Adidas said it had intended no offence. The image was designed by US graffiti artist Barry McGee who has previously used it in an anti-racist commentary.
The overall trainer was designed for German-based Adidas by US clothing firm Huf.
An Adidas spokeswoman told the San Jose Mercury News that the company “appreciates all self-expression” and “had no intention of offending any individual or group”.
Source: BBC News