Helena Frye
Adidas Superstar is a style of low-top athletic shoe that has been manufactured by Adidas since 1969. The shoe was originally designed for basketball, but it has since become popular with skateboarders and has transcended the sport to become a cultural artefact. The shoe is known for its rubber shell toe, which provides protection and durability, and its iconic 3-stripes. Adidas Superstar has been worn by trendsetters across the planet and has been the canvas for countless collaborations. The shoe is known for its comfort and affordable price, making it a popular choice for sneaker lovers of all ages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Brand | Adidas |
| Style | Low-top athletic shoe |
| Nicknames | Shell toe, shell shoe, shell top |
| Introduced | 1969 |
| Features | Rubber shell toe, heel tab with serrated 3-Stripes, herringbone tread pattern, cupsole design |
| Colours | Two-tone white black, bold colours with white 3-Stripes, tonal 3-Stripes |
| Variants | Pro Model (high-top version), Superstar II, Superstar XLG |
| Weight | 14.2 oz |
| Heel Drop | 13.6 mm |
| Fit | True to size, snug |
| Comfort | Affordable, good shock absorption, initially stiff but becomes comfortable with use |
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What You'll Learn
Adidas Superstar's impact on basketball
Adidas Superstar, a style of low-top athletic shoe, has been manufactured by Adidas since 1969. The shoe was originally designed for basketball, with the company aiming to expand into the American basketball market, which was dominated by Converse at the time. The shoe was the first low-top basketball shoe to feature an all-leather upper, providing better protection and support than its competitors.
The Adidas Superstar quickly gained popularity in the basketball world, with key players in the NBA sporting Adidas shoes and, by 1973, it is thought that three-quarters of players in the NBA were wearing Adidas Superstars. The shoe's distinctive design, with its rubber shell toe, made it instantly recognisable. The shoe's timing was also key to its success, arriving on the basketball court during a period of change in the game.
The sponsorship of the league's biggest star, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, in 1976 further propelled the shoe's popularity. The Adidas Superstar transcended the sport, becoming a cultural artefact and an iconic shoe recognised and worn by trendsetters across the globe. The shoe's design and marketing played a significant role in its success, with Adidas utilising savvy marketing tactics to promote the Superstar.
The Adidas Superstar's impact extended beyond the basketball court, finding a new market as casual footwear, particularly within the hip-hop and skateboarding scenes. The shoe's versatility and timeless design contributed to its enduring popularity, with Adidas releasing updated versions, such as the Pro Model II and Superstar II, and collaborations with pop icons to create new models. The comfort, affordability, and fashionability of the Adidas Superstar have ensured its lasting appeal and status as an iconic shoe.
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The shoe's design and features
Adidas Superstar is a style of low-top athletic shoe that has been manufactured by Adidas since 1969. The shoe was originally designed for basketball, but it has since become a cultural artefact, transcending the sport itself. The design is nicknamed the "shell toe", "shell shoe", or "shell top" due to its distinctive rubber shell toe cap, which provides added protection and durability. The shoe also features an oversized heel counter to prevent the foot from sliding around and reduce the risk of sprained ankles. The Adidas Superstar is made with smooth full-grain leather and has a herringbone tread pattern and cupsole design, similar to the Nike Court Legacy.
The Adidas Superstar is known for its timeless design, comfort, and affordable price, making it a popular choice for sneaker lovers and casual consumers of all ages. The shoe has a snug fit and offers excellent shock absorption, with a natural and well-planted underfoot sensation. The heel drop of 13.6 mm is ideal for those who prefer an elevated heel feeling when walking. The shoe falls within the average weight range for sneakers, weighing 14.2 oz.
The Adidas Superstar has been released in various colours and designs, including themes such as NBA teams and major US cities. Adidas has also collaborated with pop icons from music, fashion, and the arts to create limited-edition models. The shoe has had a significant impact on basketball and hip-hop culture, with celebrities such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Run-DMC sporting the sneakers.
The Adidas Superstar is an iconic shoe that has left an indelible mark on sports and popular culture. Its unique design, comfort, and affordability have made it a favourite among sneaker enthusiasts and casual wearers alike, solidifying its status as a timeless classic.
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Adidas Superstar's transcendence into popular culture
Adidas Superstar, a style of low-top athletic shoe, was introduced in 1969 to expand the German multinational company Adidas's reach into the American basketball market. The shoe was the first low-top basketball shoe to feature an all-leather upper and was marketed as providing better support than its competitors. The rubber shell toe, which provided extra protection and durability, also made the shoe stand out.
The Adidas Superstar quickly gained popularity in the basketball world, with 75% of NBA players wearing the shoe by 1973. The shoe was also adopted by the hip-hop community in the 1970s, with the New York musical and artistic movement helping to propel its popularity. In the 1980s, the hip-hop group Run-DMC wore Adidas Superstars on their US concert tour, further increasing sales. The group also released the song "My Adidas" in 1986, which paid tribute to the shoe and helped to transform it into a cultural artefact.
The Adidas Superstar has continued to be a popular shoe, with new versions and collaborations released over the years. In 2005, Adidas celebrated the shoe's 35th anniversary by collaborating with pop icons from music, fashion, and the arts to create a 35-strong collection. In 2015, Adidas sold over 15 million pairs of the shoe, making it the brand's top-selling sneaker of the year.
The Adidas Superstar has transcended its original purpose as a basketball shoe and become a symbol of popular culture. It has been adopted by various communities and used as a form of self-expression, performance, and cultural pride. The shoe's clean three-stripe layout, sturdy shell toe, and confident simplicity have made it a timeless design that continues to be relevant today.
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Adidas' expansion into the American basketball market
Adidas's expansion into the American basketball market was not an easy feat. In the 1960s, the market was dominated by Converse, whose Chuck Taylor All Star shoe was an icon in the world of basketball. Adidas, a German company, had to overcome the perception that it lacked the expertise to break into the American basketball scene.
Adidas's first foray into basketball was with the Supergrip and its high-top companion, the Pro Model, introduced in 1965. However, it was the Superstar shoe, launched in 1969, that truly disrupted the market. The Superstar was a low-top basketball shoe with an all-leather upper, offering better support and protection than the canvas shoes of its competitors. Its distinctive rubber shell toe and non-marking sole caught the attention of NCAA and NBA players, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and George Gervin.
By 1973, the Adidas Superstar was worn by more than 75% of NBA players, and the company sponsored Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the league's biggest star, in 1976. The shoe's success was due in part to its innovative design, but also to savvy marketing tactics and good timing, as basketball was undergoing significant changes in the 1970s. The Superstar also transcended the sport, becoming a cultural icon, particularly in the early days of hip-hop.
Adidas continued to innovate in the basketball market, introducing the Feet You Wear technology in the mid-1990s, which improved shoe stability and reliability by mimicking the shape of the human foot. The Equipment collection, launched in 1991 as a running shoe line, expanded into basketball with the Elevation sneaker (later known as the Crazy 97) in 1997. Adidas also revisited its classic designs, relaunching the Pro Model as the Pro Model 2G in 2003, with updated cushioning for safety.
In recent years, Adidas has faced intense competition in the basketball market from brands such as Nike, Under Armour, and Puma. To stay competitive, Adidas has invested in marketing, endorsements, and product development, introducing Boost technology in 2013 to enhance cushioning in athletic footwear. The brand has also focused on sustainability, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of its products, which resonates with eco-conscious consumers. Additionally, Adidas has tapped into emerging markets, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, where the popularity of basketball and rising disposable incomes have driven demand for high-quality basketball shoes.
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The shoe's evolution and sales
Adidas Superstar is a style of low-top athletic shoe that has been manufactured by Adidas since 1969. The shoe was originally designed for basketball, but it has since become a cultural icon, transcending its athletic origins and becoming a staple in the hip-hop and skateboarding scenes.
The Adidas Superstar was introduced to the public in 1970 as a low-top basketball shoe with an upper made entirely of leather and featuring the famous rubber shell toe. The shoe offered better protection and durability than its competitors, and by 1973, it is thought that three-quarters of players in the NBA were wearing Adidas Superstars. The shoe's popularity was further boosted by its adoption by hip-hop culture in the 1980s, with the group Run-DMC wearing Superstars on their US concert tour and name-dropping the shoe in their hit song "My Adidas".
The Adidas Superstar has continued to evolve and remain relevant over the years through collaborations with prominent hip-hop artists, exhibitions at influential galleries, and building communities across the world. In 2005, Adidas celebrated the shoe's 35th anniversary by collaborating with friends from the music, art, and fashion worlds to create a 35-strong collection of unique Superstars. The shoe has also been the focus of iconic collaborations with renowned brands and artists, such as BAPE and Prada, further cementing its status as a style icon and showcasing its versatility and global appeal.
The Adidas Superstar has been a top-selling sneaker for the brand, with over 15 million pairs sold in 2015 alone. The shoe has been released in various colors and designs, including themes such as NBA teams and major US cities. Adidas has also released updated versions of the original shoe, such as the Pro Model II and Superstar II, which feature improved materials and a more comfortable insole for everyday wear.
The Adidas Superstar has come a long way from its roots as a basketball shoe, becoming a symbol of timeless fashion and athletic progress. With its innovative features, continuous evolution, and global recognition, the Superstar has earned its place as an enduring icon in the world of streetwear and sneaker culture.
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Frequently asked questions
Adidas Superstar is a style of low-top athletic shoe with a full-grain leather upper, a rubber shell toe cap, and a heel tab with serrated 3-Stripes. Originally designed for basketball, it has become a cultural icon, transcending the sport itself.
Adidas Superstars were launched in 1969. The shoe was an instant hit, and by 1973, it is believed that over 75% of NBA players wore Adidas Superstars.
The Adidas Superstar's design includes a rubber shell toe cap, which provides protection and durability, and a non-marking sole. The shoe also features a herringbone tread pattern and a cupsole design, similar to the Nike Court Legacy.
Notable NBA players who wore Adidas Superstars include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, George Gervin, and members of the Boston Celtics’ 1969 NBA Finals team.
The Adidas Superstar is known for its comfort, affordable price, and timeless design. However, some users have noted that the shoe can feel stiff when new and may require a few wears to break in.
