Beginner's Guide to adidas Superstar
From its debut by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to a legendary concert moment with Run DMC, an overview of the Three Stripes icon.
Few sneakers are as globally celebrated as the shell-toed adidas Superstar. Designed as a basketball silhouette from the DNA of the Supergrip and Pro1970 in 1970 and debuted on the court by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the shoe quickly became a sensation, with 75% of professional players adopting it. Yet it wasn’t hooping where the Superstar’s cultural legacy would be cemented, but hip-hop.
This cultural shift began in the 1980s when Queens trio Run DMC embraced the shell toe, styling it without laces as a defiant nod to inmates who would have theirs removed upon incarceration. Their hit track, “My Adidas,” not only immortalized the Superstar in music history but also led to one of the first-ever contracts between a music group and a sportswear brand, sparked by a now-legendary moment in 1986 when fans at a concert in Madison Square Garden held their Superstars above their heads. In the ’90s, the likes of Mark Gonzales and Kareem Campbell could be seen skating in shell toes.
In 2005, adidas marked the 35th anniversary of the Superstar with a limited edition collection that brought together influential figures from music, fashion and art. The celebration featured 35 unique Superstar designs divided into five distinct categories: Consortium, Expression, Music, City and Anniversary. Each design paid tribute to the legacy of the iconic silhouette, with 35 shoes representing 35 years of enduring impact.
Today, the Superstar remains as vital as ever, lionized as a timeless adidas icon alongside other legends like the Gazelle, Campus and Samba. The silhouette perennially inspires new designs and colors, with outside collaborators such as Prada and BAPE rearticulating it through their unique design lens. Meanwhile, adidas’ designers in Herzogenaurach, Germany, regularly experiment with the Superstar’s core design codes, such as the unusual “Superfinger” iteration and hybrid “Superstan.”
Below, a guide to the adidas Superstar.
Different Types of adidas Superstars
From high-tops to platform styles, the Superstar has been reimagined in countless variations since its original release. Premium editions include the Superstar 82, Superstar 80s, Superstar 80s Recon and the Superstar 80s Vintage Deluxe. Contemporary iterations like the Millenium feature updated midsoles for a modern aesthetic, while the XLG (short for “extra large”) offers a roomier fit and the ADV (a skateboard iteration) is lighter, with a combined sockliner and midsole.
The Superstar is available in men’s, women’s and kid’s sizes.
Best adidas Superstar Colors
The Superstar spans the entire spectrum of the color wheel, offering endless possibilities for personal style. Below, a guide to some of the top colorways.
White
White base. Black stripes. When someone says “adidas Superstar,” this is the color combination that comes to mind. As iconic today as it was in the early ’70s, the tones have been updated slightly in the decades since, with the 80s version featuring a pre-weathered yellow midsole.
Black
The black Superstar inverts the classic colorway, with a black base and white stripes. The shoe is also available in a stealthy black leather and black stripes build, ideal for those who want a more muted color palette.
Pink
The Superstar is rendered in varying tones of pink, sometimes utilizing the color against a black base for a high-contrast effect. Notably, the Superstar has seen experimental pink designs from creators like Angel Chen and Face Studios.
Blue
When it comes to an adidas heritage icon, blue is primarily associated with the Gazelle. Yet it has proven a versatile colorway for the Superstar, including a BAPE collaboration in ‘Blue Camo.’
Features of adidas Superstars
The adidas Superstar is built around a simple concept, characterized by a leather upper and highly durable rubber shell toe. Branding hits appear above the Three Stripes, tongue and heel. Underfoot, a rubber outsole completes the perennial icon. Over the years, both adidas and collaborative partners have reworked the silhouette, outfitting it with vegan materials, graphic details and remixed branding. Today, the Superstar remains something of a blank canvas for creativity.
Best Collaborations for adidas Superstars
Run DMC x adidas
It’s difficult to say whether or not the Superstar would have attained the same cultural status without the help of Run DMC. adidas and the hip-hop pioneers have continued to work together closely, particularly on anniversary Superstar releases.
Pharrell Williams x adidas
The Superstar is one of Pharrell Williams’ favorite sneakers. The boundary-breaking creative has reworked the shoe time and time again, including a colorful Humanrace pack made with Primeknit and 2024’s exaggerated Pharrell Williams x adidas Superstar 92.
Y-3 x adidas
Yohji Yamamoto’s avant-garde design lens has rendered the Superstar borderline unrecognizable over the years, exemplified by bold silhouettes like the hollowed-out Gendo. For a more muted sensibility, Yamamoto has designed various minimalist shell toes, replete with premium design details and his iconic signature.
Alexander Wang x adidas
adidas Originals by Alexander Wang saw the influential American designer reimagine various Three Stripes apparel and sneakers across six collections. One of the most notable silhouettes was the “Skate Super,” which melded the Superstar's upper portion with a chevron-embossed platform gum midsole.
BAPE x adidas
BAPE and adidas teamed up for the skate-centric “Super Ape Star” in 2003, which also included a now-legendary “Staff Only” spin-off pair. Additional shell toe collaborations have followed since, including a triple-threat adidas Consortium Superstar 80s with Undefeated in 2015.
adidas Superstar FAQ
Who designed the adidas Superstar?
The adidas Superstar was designed by Chris Severn.
When did adidas Superstars first come out?
The adidas Superstar was designed in 1969 and first came out in 1970.
When is the next adidas Superstar release or restock?
The adidas Superstar regularly releases in new colorways and designs. For more information, explore our Superstar landing page.
How do adidas Superstars fit?
The adidas Superstar fits true to size. You should take your normal size in the shoe. People with wider feet may want to go up half a size for more room as the rigid shell toe does not become more flexible over time.
What sizes do adidas Superstar shoes come in?
adidas Superstars come in sizes for the whole family.
Are adidas Superstars comfortable?
Yes, adidas Superstars are comfortable shoes for everyday activities.
What are adidas Superstars good for?
adidas Superstars are ideal shoes for life in the city. Although geared for performance initially, technological advances mean the shoe is more suited to walking today. For specific running and basketball shoes, discover our curated guides to running shoes and basketball shoes.
What to wear adidas Superstars with?
The adidas Superstar is a versatile silhouette that can be worn with everyday looks such as jeans and a T-shirt, or with more formal styles such as suiting to add a casual sensibility to an outfit.
How to clean adidas Superstars?
The adidas Superstar reacts well to most specialist cleaning products. For more information, head to our How to Clean Sneakers Guide.
Where to buy adidas Superstars?
You can buy adidas Superstars on GOAT in all colors and sizes, including highly limited designs.
How to tell if adidas Superstars are fake?
GOAT uses machine-learning technology, digital authentication, in-hand verification or a combination of these methods to determine if adidas Superstars are fake or real. By doing so, we seek to ensure the Superstars you purchase are both authentic and as-described.