Skip to main content

Adidas Superstar sneaker: How the shoe became a closet staple

The history of adidas' superstar sneaker

black superstar sneakers on floor
adidas / adidas

While Adidas’ recent hottest sneaker is undoubtedly the Samba sneaker, the brand has many iconic designs under its belt. One of its most iconic sneakers, the Superstar, was once considered to be the hottest sneaker on the market before the reappearance of the Samba. Although it has lost its ‘superstar’ status, it’s undoubtedly still one of the most recognizable designs the brand has in the vault. Like other retro designs, the Superstar has undergone various changes and collaborations through the seasons, making it even more appealing for the newer generations. Donning a chunky silhouette with its traditional shell toe, the Superstar sneaker set the pace for modern ‘it’ sneakers. Like many similar models, the Superstar has come a long way to become a regular in many closets and a standard for the brand’s footwear line. 

The origin of an icon

overhead view of the adidas superstar sneaker in tan
JUICE / JUICE

Just as the Samba was crafted with football in mind, the Superstar sneaker originated on the basketball court. Beginning with the first variation in 1965, the Supergrip, the original model, came equipped with a smooth suede that increased comfort and durability against canvas sneakers. It was later in the 1960s when adidas began experimenting with its hard toe cap for extra protection, starting with a rubber toe. Finally, the adidas France team created the shell toe cap we know and recognize today. 

Recommended Videos

It wasn’t until 1970 that Adidas released the Superstar sneaker under its current name and an updated look. Now donning a leather upper and shell toe, the design quickly became a favorite among athletes. As the shoe’s popularity progressed, the design found itself as not only a favorite with athletes but also as a cultural symbol. Its fame reached an all-time high in 1986 when it became the focus of the song “My Adidas” by hip-hop group Run-DMC.

Step into the 2000s sneaker culture

Person wearing adidas Croc Superstar sneakers
adidas

While the 1990s continued to merge sneaker culture with street culture, this relationship did not strengthen until the 2000s, with the Superstar sneaker playing a significant role. Internationally, the Superstar became a highly sought-after design, with collectors in Tokyo paying high-ticket prices. In major cities like London and Los Angeles, the Superstar sneaker was reimagined to offer users a personalized design they could wear with pride. At this time, collaborations became a significant force behind the design’s popularity. 

In 2003, the first Superstar collaboration came at the hands of Nigo, who created four new variations of the adidas sneaker. Named “Super Ape Star”, the collection of four colorways instantly sold out and hit the resell market for more than double the original price. Once again tapping into the collaboration strategy, Adidas took to several fashion, music, and art icons to celebrate the sneaker’s 35th anniversary. With 35 new designs split into five groups, the number of new sneakers celebrated 35 years of the shoe. The groups, Consortium series, Expression series, Music series, City series, and Anniversary series, gave each type of user a chance of a unique sneaker that matched their needs and style. To grab a pair, fans flocked to line up on New Year’s Eve in 2004, with lines extending to multiple streets away from retailers. While the Superstar continued to retain its popularity, other Adidas designs began to gain momentum. 

The current state of the Superstar

model wearing clot x adidas blue sneeakers
adidas / adidas

While many of adidas’ archival designs have managed to steal the limelight in recent seasons, the Superstar’s influence in sneaker culture remains unmatched. Recent collaborations have brought the design back into center stage, with many still regarding the shoe as one of adidas’ best designs in its history. In 2020, the adidas Superstar celebrated its 50th anniversary, a monumental landmark for fans and the brand.

Now in its 55th year, the Superstar sneakers remain as vital to the brand as ever. Replacing the Converse All-Star as one of the most popular sneakers, the Adidas Superstar continues to be a go-to for style in their casual everyday sneaker. As with many of Adidas’ most famed designs as of late, the sneaker has had its share of collaborations that have reintroduced the design to a new audience and generation. Collaborations with Edison Chen’s CLOT have remixed the design into a luxury sneaker with premium materials, bringing new life to this retro design. While there’s no doubt that the Superstar will continue to be a permanent fixture in aAdidas’footwear collection, there’s no replacing the original Superstar design that exploded into stardom.

Shop Superstar Now

Leslie Leon
Leslie is a Los Angeles-based writer and content creator. She is always researching and finding the latest fashion trends…
Topics
Adidas teams up with Real Madrid for a new Samba sneaker
Adidas releases a new Real Madrid Samba sneaker
adidas samba real madrid

Besides being one of the go-to household names in athletic wear, Adidas is known for its partnership with some of the world's most prominent athletes and teams across many sports. And just in time for the start of the FIFA Club World Cup, Adidas is launching yet another Samba reiteration that’ll undoubtedly make a significant fan base happy. Along with Real Madrid, Adidas is launching a brand new kit for the tournament, including the new Samba sneaker that’s perfect for any fan. With the tournament already underway, there’s no doubt it's the ideal time to grab your team-branded gear to support Los Merengues all summer. As the summer marks the start of an eventful year for soccer fans that’ll end with the FIFA World Cup in 2026, this marks the start of what we expect to be a flurry of partnerships and team-branded releases across the biggest athletic brands in the world. 

Adidas’ Samba “Real Madrid” hits the pitch

Read more
New Balance’s 2010 sneaker arrives in a new vintage color.
New Balance releases a new ABZORB 2010 sneaker
new balance abzorb 2010 sneaker in photo

It’s been an eventful year for the New Balance 2010, with a series of new releases that have turned the model into the must-have sneaker of the year. After collaborations with Kith and their “Grey Days” special edition model, the ABZORB 2010 continues to be the versatile sneaker it was created to be. In their latest rendition of the ABZORB 2010, New Balance is going back in time with a vintage color combination that’s rich and decadent in hue. While the primary color in the design would make it the perfect fall sneaker, this release is a year-round shoe that is far from just another running shoe in your lineup. With a combination of materials and different colored overlays, this sneaker gives a significant nod to retro technical shoes from the past, which continue to stun users today. 

New Balance 2010 goes pecan with a new color

Read more
Comme des Garçons and Vans reunite for the return of an iconic sneaker
Comme des Garçons, Vans release new sneaker
vans Comme des Garçons sneaker

While it may seem like an unlikely collaboration, Comme des Garçons and Vans have proven that you can make any partnership work with the right style. Reuniting for another collaboration, these two brands are taking off one of Vans’ most iconic sneakers for a luxury remix that’s perfect for skaters and non-skaters. Featuring a bold print and the traditional silhouette, this new collaboration is a fun way to mix up an old favorite. With Comme des Garçons’ undeniable edgy look, this partnership is the perfect way to refresh the traditional casual sneaker and replace it with a style with more personality. Considering the popularity of their previous collaboration, there’s no doubt that the partnership between Comme des Garçons and Van will continue to deliver a stylish blend for seasons to come. 

Unleash your inner skater with Comme des Garçons and Vans

Read more