Beginner's Guide to adidas Campus
From the original ’80s design to the revamped 00s silhouette, looking back at the classic Three Stripes model.
History of the adidas Campus
The first incarnation of what would become the adidas Campus was a training shoe from the early 1970s favored by the Boston Celtics. Named the Greenstar, it garnered attention as the first Three Stripes court shoe to use suede rather than leather or mesh. The company then began dressing it in the colors of NBA teams across the board and repackaged it as the “Tournament.”
The silhouette was distinguished by its lightweight build, fine-tuned for comfort and durability. “Let adidas treat your feet,” read the tagline of a Tournament ad from the mid ’70s. After halting production for several years, adidas released another suede shoe very similar to the Tournament under the new name Campus in the ’80s. This time around, the silhouette was targeted at the lifestyle market and at creative communities, aiming to replicate the success of similar low-profile models such as the PUMA Suede.
The Three Stripes’ hopes were fulfilled when the Campus began to trickle into the burgeoning skate and hip-hop scenes. The Beastie Boys cemented its icon status when they wore the shoes on the cover of their Check Your Head album. Across the Atlantic, the Campus—along with the Gazelle and Samba—carved out a place in football terrace culture, as well as the Britpop scene and among influential figures like Kate Moss.
Today, the Campus remains a linchpin of adidas’ sneaker program. The company regularly reimagines the shoe in new materials and colorways, and invites outside collaborators to reinterpret the classic design. In 2022, adidas launched a beefed-up, skate-adjacent remaster of the court shoe named the Campus 00s, serving as an alternative to the traditional ’80s style.
Different Types of adidas Campus
The Campus is a low-top silhouette typically composed of a suede upper and firm rubber midsole. During its long history, the shoe has been reworked by adidas in numerous ways, including a high-top iteration with a vulcanized midsole. The Campus ADV updates the signature ’80s style with modern materials, while the aforementioned 00s is reengineered from the ground up for a bulkier aesthetic.
The Campus is generally produced in full family size runs, including men’s, women’s, kids’, GS (Grade School) and PS (Pre-School) sizes.
Best adidas Campus Colorways
Iconic colorways of the Campus include ‘Dark Green Gum,’ ‘Crystal White Black’ and ‘Scarlet Pink Gum’. Below, find a list of other notable iterations.
Chinese New Year
The Campus has become a regular feature in adidas’ annual celebratory Chinese New Year packs. Highlights include a black “Yongjiu” version released in association with Shanghai-based bicycle manufacturer Forever Bicycle, and a tonal white iteration sporting “four blessings” symbols and bamboo hang tags.
Black White
The two-tone black and white color scheme is one of the most versatile combinations in the Campus catalog. The colorway is a favorite of the Beastie Boys’ Ad-Rock.
Collegiate Burgundy
‘Collegiate Burgundy’ adorns numerous adidas silhouettes, including the Gazelle, Forum Low and Campus. The dark red hue of the upper contrasts with hits of white and a gold “Campus” text logo, furthering the muted aesthetic.
Black Orange
adidas teamed up with Porter in 2018 for a collection of sneakers and accessories. The pair chose the Campus as the hero sneaker, executed with the Japanese luggage specialist’s signature Tanker textile. Hits of orange on the Three Stripes add a zesty sensibility to the style.
Ash Blue
The delicate ‘Ash Blue’ hue is reminiscent of clear skies on a balmy summer day. White elements on the Three Stripes and mustache complement the pastel aesthetic.
Green
The Campus has been immersed in all manner of green hues, from dark and forest green to lighter mint tones.
Features of adidas Campus Shoes
Aside from material and technology upgrades, the Campus’ simple and straightforward design of suede, leather and rubber has remained mostly unaltered since the ’80s.
Suede Upper
The iconic suede upper clings to the foot and is a comfortable option for all-day wear. For sports activities outside of skateboarding, it is advisable to seek a silhouette with a more breathable material.
EVA Midsole
While not as advanced as modern adidas cushioning systems such as Boost or adiPrene, the Campus rides on an EVA foam midsole that absorbs impact. A reinforced toe cap provides additional support and is one of the reasons the shoe is often favored by skaters.
OrthoLite Sockliners
OrthoLite sockliners inside the shoe provide additional comfort and mitigate bacteria growth, providing a dry platform for the foot.
Popular adidas Campus Collaborations
Decades since its debut, the Campus continues to serve as a blank canvas for adidas’ creative partners. Below, an overview of recent popular collaborations.
South Park x adidas Campus 80s ‘Towelie’
South Park’s collaborative Campus is a tribute to the cartoon’s Towelie character. The lilac terry cloth upper is an homage to the show’s anthropomorphic light-blue towel with arms, completed with surprise elements such as a stash pocket under the tongue and eye graphics that change from white to bloodshot when exposed to UV light.
size? x adidas Campus ‘Project Mayhem’
UK sneaker retailer size? released the Fight Club-inspired ‘Project Mayhem’ Campus in 2021. The black silhouette incorporates an asymmetrical design as a nod to protagonist Tyler Durden’s split personality, and adopts motifs and iconography associated with the character, including a name tag and cigarette-burn eyelets.
Bad Bunny x adidas Campus ‘Light’
Puerto Rican tour de force Bad Bunny put a brawny twist on the streamlined Campus, reinforcing the silhouette with an extra tongue. The 'Light' sneaker is dressed in creamy tones and finished with an undulating midsole that represents the ups and downs of the musician's journey to stardom.
Human Made x adidas Campus
Nigo and Human Made’s interpretation of the Campus remains true to the original’s makeup. The label’s "Gears for futuristic teenagers" motto adorns the Three Stripes, while a red beating heart replaces the traditional mustache Trefoil logo.
Undefeated x A Bathing Ape x adidas Campus 80s
Back in 2012, BAPE and UNDFTD joined Consortium, adidas' close partner sub-label, for a military-inspired rework of the Campus. Gilded brand logos achieve a contrasting effect on the military green or black tonal options.
Helen Kirkum x adidas Campus 80s
London-based artist and designer Helen Kirkum is renowned for her design language of deconstruction followed by reconstruction. In 2019, she tore apart and rebuilt a Campus silhouette from scratch, achieving a Frankenstein-like creation by rearranging the sneaker’s individual parts.
END. x NEIGHBORHOOD x adidas Campus 80s
British retailer END. and Japanese brand NEIGHBORHOOD applied a big-cat theme to the Campus in 2021, outfitting the upper with furry leopard print.
adidas Campus FAQ
When did the adidas Campus first come out?
The adidas Campus was released in 1983. A similar, earlier model called the Greenstar then the Tournament, also made from suede, came out during the 1970s.
When is the next adidas Campus release or restock?
The adidas Campus is perennially releasing in new colorways and designs. Recent and upcoming releases include:
How do adidas Campuses fit?
The adidas Campus fits true to size. You should take your normal size in the adidas Campus. The sneaker may take several wears to break in because of the suede build.
What sizes do adidas Campus shoes come in?
The adidas Campus generally comes in full size runs for men, women, kids, GS (Grade School) and PS (Pre-School).
Are adidas Campuses comfortable?
The adidas Campus is a comfortable shoe that is well suited to all-day wear and light activities.
What are adidas Campuses good for?
Despite its basketball provenance, today the Campus is a lifestyle shoe that is ideal for walking. Generally, the adidas Campus is no longer suitable for performance purposes.
What to wear adidas Campuses with?
The Campus is a versatile shoe that can be worn with jeans, hoodies, sweatpants and tees. It can also be paired with more elevated styles such as suits and dresses to bring a touch of casual to formalwear.
How to clean adidas Campuses?
adidas Campuses respond well to most specialist cleaning agents. For more information, consult our cleaning guide.
Where to buy adidas Campuses?
You can buy adidas Campuses on GOAT. Explore a selection of Campus sneakers here.
How to tell if adidas Campuses are fake?
GOAT uses machine-learning technology, digital authentication, in-hand verification or a combination of these methods to determine if sneakers are fake or real. By doing so, we seek to ensure the Campus sneakers you purchase are both authentic and as-described.
What shoes are similar to the adidas Campus?
Similar silhouettes include the Gazelle, Samba, and Handball Spezial.