Andrew Pace
Adidas's journey into the world of basketball began in 1965 with the release of the Supergrip and its high-top companion, the Pro Model. These shoes were the result of years of concepting and prototyping, and they were specifically designed for professional basketball players, offering enhanced comfort and durability with their smooth suede material. Over the next few years, Adidas experimented with rubber toe caps, and in 1969, they introduced the iconic shell toe design with the launch of the Adidas Superstar. The Superstar, a low-top basketball shoe with an all-leather upper and rubber shell toe, officially debuted in 1970 and became a massive hit, with 75% of professional basketball players in the US wearing it by 1973. The success of the Superstar paved the way for Adidas's expanded lineup of basketball shoes, including models like the Americana, Nizza, Top Ten, and Tournament (later known as the Adidas Campus). Over the decades, Adidas continued to innovate and release new basketball shoes, such as the Forum in the early 1980s and the Crazy 1 in 2000, solidifying their place as a key player in the basketball footwear market.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Adidas started making basketball shoes | 1965 |
| First Adidas basketball shoes | Supergrip and Pro Model |
| Adidas Superstar introduced | 1969/1970 |
| Adidas Superstar 35th anniversary | 2005 |
| Adidas Superstar 50th anniversary | 2020 |
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What You'll Learn
Adidas' first basketball shoes
Adidas' first foray into basketball shoes began in 1965 with the introduction of two sneakers: the Supergrip and its high-top companion, the Pro Model. The Supergrip was designed for professional basketball players and featured smooth suede, offering enhanced comfort and durability compared to its competitors.
In 1969, Adidas introduced the Superstar, a low-top version of the Pro Model. It was the first low-top basketball shoe to feature an all-leather upper and was marketed as providing better support than its competitors. The shoe also included rubber toe protection and a non-marking sole, which caught the attention of NCAA and NBA players, notably Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and George Gervin.
The Adidas Superstar was officially introduced to the public in 1970, becoming a cultural and design phenomenon. Its impact extended beyond the basketball court, as it became a symbol of timeless fashion and athletic progress. By 1973, it is estimated that 75% of basketball players in the American professional leagues were wearing Adidas shoes, including the Supergrip, Pro Model, and Superstar models.
Over the years, Adidas has continued to innovate and build upon its basketball shoe designs, releasing updated versions of the Pro Model and Superstar, as well as new silhouettes such as the Crazy 1 in 2000 and the T-Mac 1 in 2002.
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The Superstar's evolution
Adidas' journey in the basketball world began in 1965 with the introduction of two sneakers: the Supergrip and its high-top companion, the Pro Model. The Adidas Superstar, which was first released in 1970, was an evolution of the Supergrip. This evolution was marked by the introduction of the now-famous shell toe, which was first introduced by the Adidas France team. The Superstar was initially designed as a low-top basketball shoe with an upper made entirely of leather.
The Adidas Superstar soon gained popularity among athletes for its next-level grip, lightweight flexibility, and enhanced protection on the court. By 1973, it is estimated that 75% of basketball players in the American pro leagues were wearing Adidas Superstars, along with the Supergrip and Pro Model sneakers. The shoe broke cultural barriers and became a worldwide icon, transcending its athletic origins and becoming a cultural and design phenomenon.
In the late 1980s, the Adidas Superstar became a staple in hip-hop culture, with the hip-hop group Run-DMC paying homage to the brand and their Superstar sneakers in their iconic song "My Adidas." This collaboration marked a pivotal moment, solidifying the shoe's influence in the worlds of music, art, and fashion. The Adidas Superstar has since been the focus of numerous iconic collaborations with renowned brands and artists, further cementing its status as a style icon and showcasing its versatility and global appeal.
Over the years, the Adidas Superstar has continued to evolve and maintain its spot among collectives and game-changers in various spheres, from skateboarding to runway fashion and beyond. The shoe has been reinterpreted and updated through collaborations, special editions, and unique designs, attracting fans and visitors worldwide as a destination and centerpiece of sneakerhead culture.
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The 70s and 80s
Adidas's first foray into basketball shoes came in 1965 with the release of the Supergrip and its high-top companion, the Pro Model. However, it was in the 1970s that Adidas basketball shoes really took off, with the debut of the Adidas Superstar in 1970. By 1973, it is estimated that 75% of basketball players in the American pro leagues were wearing Adidas shoes, including the Supergrip, Pro Model, and Superstar sneakers. The Superstar, with its iconic shell toe, became a worldwide icon and helped Adidas gain a foothold in the basketball shoe market.
The success of the Adidas Superstar in the 1970s paved the way for the brand's expanded lineup of basketball shoes in the 1980s. The Adidas Top Ten sneaker, released in 1979, was particularly significant as it helped ring in the new decade and showcased the brand's commitment to performance and style. The early 1980s saw the release of several notable Adidas basketball shoes, including the Concord. However, it was the Adidas Forum, introduced in 1984, that became the defining shoe of the decade. The Adidas Forum, with its enduring silhouette, has been remixed and remade countless times, and its broad cultural appeal has solidified its place as one of the brand's most iconic designs.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Adidas also continued to innovate and refine their basketball shoes based on feedback from professional players. This led to advancements in grip, lightweight flexibility, and enhanced protection on the court. The brand's breakthroughs during these decades firmly established Adidas as a key player in the basketball world, with their shoes gaining recognition for their performance, style, and cultural influence.
The impact of Adidas basketball shoes extended beyond the court and into the realm of fashion and hip-hop culture. The Adidas Superstar, in particular, became a symbol of timeless fashion and athletic progress. Its influence expanded from the basketball court to the streets, with hip-hop artists embracing the shoe and making it an integral part of their style. The collaboration between Adidas and prominent hip-hop artists, such as Run-DMC, solidified the shoe's influence in the worlds of music, art, and fashion.
In summary, the 1970s and 1980s were pivotal decades for Adidas basketball shoes. The brand's innovative designs, performance breakthroughs, and cultural influence during this period laid the foundation for Adidas's continued success and established them as a leading name in basketball footwear.
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Adidas' 90s breakthroughs
Adidas first entered the basketball shoe market in 1965 with the release of the Supergrip and its high-top companion, the Pro Model. However, it was in the 1990s that Adidas made several breakthroughs in the basketball world, further establishing itself as a key player in the sport.
One of Adidas's first iconic signature basketball shoes of the 1990s was the Mutombo high-top, released in 1993. The shoe was acclaimed for its vivid African-inspired print. Around the same time, Adidas introduced the Streetball II shoe, coinciding with the inaugural Streetball tournament in Europe, which celebrated basketball, music, apparel, and food.
The Adidas Superstar, first introduced in 1970, remained a lifestyle staple across cultures in the 1990s, transcending its basketball origins and cementing its place in sneaker history. The shoe's influence expanded from the sports world to every corner of the globe, breaking cultural barriers. It was particularly embraced by the hip-hop community, with artists making their loyalty to Adidas loud and clear.
In addition to the Superstar, Adidas produced several other notable basketball shoes in the 1990s. These included the Forum, the Americana, the Nizza, the Top Ten, and the Tournament (later known as the Adidas Campus). The Top Ten, released in 1979, helped pave the way for Adidas's greatly expanded lineup of basketball shoes in the new decade.
Adidas's breakthroughs in the 1990s were accompanied by the rising international fame of basketball as a sport. The company's sponsorships and collaborations further solidified its presence in the basketball world.
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The new millennium
Adidas Basketball entered the new millennium with the Crazy 1 sneaker in 2000, a silhouette that has since been reissued in multiple colourways. The Crazy 1 was soon followed by the Adidas T-Mac 1 in 2002, a shoe that blended versatility and athleticism, worthy of Tracy McGrady’s legacy. The T-Mac line continued into the decade with multiple iterations.
In 2003, Adidas released the Pro Model 2G, an updated version of the original Pro Model, which helped start Adidas Basketball’s journey nearly forty years prior. The new model featured a newly designed upper and midsole with extra cushioning for safety. The shoe marked a new era for the brand, as several iconic players cemented their legacies with pairs of Pro Model 2Gs on the hardwood.
In 2005, Adidas released the Adidas_1 running shoe, which was built with a microchip that adjusted the sneaker. The same year, Adidas celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Adidas Superstar with a 35-strong collection of shoes celebrating one of the world's most recognisable and ubiquitous fashion items. The collection included interpretations of the Adidas Superstar from friends of the brand from the worlds of music, art, and fashion.
Adidas continued to innovate and collaborate, pushing the boundaries of design and style while honouring the shoe's heritage. The Adidas Originals Superstar has solidified its place as an iconic sneaker that has stood the test of time.
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Frequently asked questions
Adidas started making basketball shoes in 1965 with the release of the Supergrip and its high-top companion, the Pro Model.
Adidas' first basketball shoe was the Supergrip, released in 1965.
Adidas' second basketball shoe was the Pro Model, released alongside the Supergrip in 1965.
The Adidas Superstar was introduced to the public in 1970, though its design originated in 1969.
Adidas has released several basketball shoes in recent years, including the Crazy 1 in 2000, the T-Mac 1 in 2002, and the Pro Model 2G in 2003.
