When it comes to high-quality, affordable, and wearable fashion, Uniqlo has quickly become one of my favourite high street brands. Generally, their pieces fall into the basics category: versatile clothes you can mix and match, dress up or down, and rely on day after day. But every now and again, they team up with a high-end designer, adding something a little more unexpected to their usual line-up. And now, my favourite collaboration is back with a new collection for summer.

The Uniqlo x JW Anderson partnership began in 2017, and since then, it’s given us some of the most comfortable jeans I’ve ever worn, along with chic boxy shirts and easy throw-on T-shirts that somehow always look put together. This time around, though, it was a pair of track trousers that caught my eye. Mostly because they reminded me of another pair I’ve had on my wishlist for years — and those happen to cost double the price.

The track trousers come in three colours: brown, off white and black. They run from XXS to XXL and already seem popular. In the two days since the collection launched, the brown pair has started to sell out and is currently only available in XS, S and M. The black and off white versions still have a wider size range available, but if you’re considering them, it might be worth moving sooner rather than later.

The reason they stood out to me is that they reminded me of the Adidas Originals Track Pants I’ve reached for on basically every lazy Sunday over the past few years. There’s something about that straight-cut track pant shape that gets the balance just right. They’re comfortable enough to lounge in, but still polished enough to wear out if you’re heading for lunch or grabbing a coffee.

And there is a resemblance between the brown Originals and the brown Uniqlo trousers. I’m not saying they’re identical — they’re clearly not. The Uniqlo pair doesn’t have the classic Adidas heritage detailing, like the logo and three stripes. But when it comes to the cut, the waistline, the fabric and even some of the smaller design touches, there are definite similarities.

Both pairs have a relaxed, easy silhouette, made from lightweight synthetic fabric designed for movement and comfort. In the case of the Uniqlo trousers, they’re 100% polyester. Both materials have a slight silky finish that gives them a subtle sheen. They also share the all-important elasticated waistband, which makes them comfortable enough for all-day wear, and they both lean into that sporty aesthetic that works effortlessly with hoodies, sweatshirts and trainers. The Uniqlo trousers feel a little more understated, though. They have minimal branding and refined piping along the sides of each leg, giving them a cleaner finish. They’re less bold than the Adidas track pants, and that could mean more styling flexibility depending on your wardrobe.

They’d look great with minimalist trainers and a knit for a smart-casual feel, paired with a hoodie for an off-duty day, or even worn with a structured coat for a contemporary yet polished look. The Adidas trousers, by comparison, naturally carry a stronger sporty identity because of their heritage design.

According to Uniqlo, the track trousers are also easy to care for. They’re machine washable at 40 degrees, although they’re not suitable for the tumble dryer. As the collection is so new, there aren’t any reviews yet to confirm how they hold up in the wash, but the care instructions are straightforward enough.

The biggest difference, though, is the price. The Adidas track pants retail for £60, while the Uniqlo track pants come in at £34.90. That’s a noticeable gap — especially considering both are polyester-based track styles designed to offer a similar level of comfort. With Uniqlo, you’re paying for thoughtful design and everyday wearability rather than a logo.