Beginner's Guide to adidas Sneakers

In 1924, Adi and Rudolf Dassler established the Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik (“Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory”) in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Specializing in athletic footwear, U.S. sprinter Jesse Owens wore the company’s custom-fitted spiked shoes at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, where he won four gold medals and put the company on the world stage for the first time. The brother’s relationship broke down in 1949, with Adi creating adidas and Rudolf establishing PUMA.

Today, adidas is one of the most recognizable sportswear brands in the world. Distinguished by its Three Stripes mark, Trefoil and Mountain logos, the brand’s presence is visible throughout the vast majority of professional sports. Muhammad Ali, Stan Smith, David Beckham and Lionel Messi are just some of the legendary athletes to be associated with adidas, in addition to artists and creatives such as Pharrell Williams, Beyoncé and, previously, Kanye West.

Along with Nike, PUMA and New Balance, adidas is considered a cultural and technological leader across sneakers, athletic apparel and other sports equipment.

Types of adidas Shoes

First specializing in track spikes, adidas now manufactures all manner of sports shoes. This includes lifestyle sneakers, hiking boots, cleats, sandals and basketball footwear.

adidas regularly updates its silhouettes with proprietary performance innovations. In 2015, the brand introduced Boost cushioning via the adidas Ultra Boost, widely heralded as one of the most comfortable running shoes ever made. Boost joined other cushioning compounds, including Adiprene, Lightstrike, Bounce and Cloudfoam. The company continues to push the limits of footwear creation at a design level such as through styles like the Futurecraft 4D, which is built upon a 3D-printed midsole. 

These technologies have also been adapted to sports-specific footwear. For example, adidas’ basketball shoes are broken down into three archetypes—speed, agility and explosiveness—with design technology focused around a specific profile that applies to the wearer. adidas’ cleats are also engineered for specific needs: Speedflow and Speedportal models aid acceleration, while the Predator provides additional stability and control.

Below, a guide to some of the most notable adidas technologies.

adidas Sneaker Technology

Adiprene

Adiprene is an elastic material that provides protection around the heel. Responding to the movement of the foot, it offers shock absorption and helps mitigate impact when landing.

Adiplus 

Adiplus is the successor to Adiprene, found on shoes such as the Oznova. It provides an even plushier feel for the wearer compared to its predecessor.

Feet You Wear 

adidas unveiled Feet You Wear technology in 1996. Developed by external collaborator Frampton Ellis, the concept was said to mimic the natural curves and shape of the foot. Characterized by a curved aesthetic, the technology informed several silhouettes—including numerous models in Kobe Bryant’s signature line—before it was discontinued in 2001.

Cloudfoam 

Cloudfoam shoes are imbued with purpose-built foam padding technology. It is usually used in foundational adidas models in lieu of Ultra Boost.

Lightstrike and Lightstrike Pro 

Lightstrike Pro is the evolved version of adidas Lightstrike. The lightweight midsole is used in marathon shoes, incorporating two layers of foam and resilient cushioning for a smooth ride. 

Lightmotion 

Lightmotion is another type of cushioning typically found on foundational models. It is a lightweight and responsive EVA foam that is well-suited to short and medium-distance runs as well as daily wear.

Sprintweb 

Sprintweb is a lightweight upper construction that reduces the overall weight of silhouettes without compromising durability. It is often designed with mesh for increased ventilation.

Digital Light Synthesis 

Digital Light Synthesis (or “DLS”) is a process that adidas uses to create the latticed plastic midsoles found on its 4D models such as the Futurecraft 4D. Developed by Silicon Valley tech firm Carbon, the technique harnesses light to shape a specifically developed liquid resin with elastic properties. It is then heated to make the material solid. According to adidas, this method provides cushioning and stability that is not possible with mass-production 3D printing.

Boost 

Designed by the adidas Innovation Team (AIT) and German chemical company Badische Anilin & Soda-Fabrik (BASF), adidas introduced Boost in 2013. The midsole cushioning is achieved by fusing tiny pellets composed of proprietary thermoplastic urethane together into a cohesive unit. Boost remains a flagship technology of adidas, present across the brand’s numerous footwear categories.

Most Popular adidas Silhouettes

adidas’ footwear program is underpinned by a number of heritage silhouettes that are regularly released with updated colorways and materials. They are joined by new models, some of which build upon design cues found on archival shoes.

Yeezy Slides

Yeezy Slides are a product of Kanye West’s former collaboration with the brand. Released for the first time in 2018, the minimalist slides have been produced in many colorways, spanning neutral shades and vibrant hues.

Yeezy Foam Runner

The Yeezy Foam Runner is a slip-on silhouette built for everyday wear. The one-piece upper is crafted from environmentally friendly algae and includes cut-out holes for breathability.

Yeezy Boost 350 and 350 V2

Debuted at New York Fashion Week in 2015, the Yeezy Boost 350 features a lightweight knit upper and Boost tooling. It was succeeded by the 350 V2, which is typically differentiated by SPLY-350 text on the shoe’s lateral panel. 

Samba 

The adidas Samba was released as a soccer shoe in 1949. It is now widely recognized as a lifestyle sneaker, undergoing a cultural revival in the late 2010s due to a renewed interest among artists and creatives.

Gazelle

Introduced in 1966, the adidas Gazelle built on design cues such as the Rom and Olympiade. It was the first adidas shoe to make use of suede, eventually transcending its sporting origins to become a subcultural icon among music scenes as disparate as reggae, hip-hop and Britpop.

Sambarose

The Sambarose was released as a women’s-specific silhouette in 2018. The design DNA is adapted from the traditional Samba with the notable addition of a platform heel. 

adiFOM Q

Released in 2022, the adiFom Q is inspired by 2001’s Quake hiking shoe. The design features a foam-constructed exoskeleton and a removable internal lining.

Dame 8

Damian Lillard’s eighth signature shoe is notable for its recycled materials generated from production waste. Focused on agility, it features composite Bounce Pro foam underfoot.

Forum

The adidas Forum was introduced as a basketball shoe in 1984. The retro-inspired design includes a Trefoil logo on the mid-quarter panel and a strap.

NMD Human Race

Pharrell Williams’ long-standing partnership with adidas has seen the release of various sneakers, the most notable being the NMD Human Race. Based on the traditional NMD, it incorporates a rope lacing system and inspirational text statements on the throat of each shoe. 

Ultra Boost 

adidas released the Ultra Boost in 2015, proclaiming it to be the “Greatest Running Shoe Ever.” Considered a modern icon, the original silhouette features a Primeknit upper and Boost tooling underfoot. It has since been reworked in various formats, including the Ultra Boost 21, Ultraboost 4.0m, Ultra Boost 5.0 DNA, DNA Climacool, Ultra Boost Web DNA and Ultra Boost Light.

Campus

Along with the Samba and Gazelle, the Campus is one of adidas’ most recognizable silhouettes. Released as a basketball shoe in the ’80s, the pared-back design features a suede upper with Three Stripes and Trefoil branding. 

Ozweego

Originally released in 1996, the Ozweego has evolved throughout the years. Highlighted by exaggerated proportions and bold lines, the shoe became one of the defining silhouettes of the bulky sneaker wave following a collaboration with Belgian designer Raf Simons.

Superstar

The adidas Superstar released in 1969, differentiating itself from other basketball silhouettes with a rubber shell toe cap. The low-profile shoe was adopted by the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, eventually becoming a fixture in skateboarding and hip-hop scenes thanks to artists such as Run DMC. It is arguably the most iconic silhouette in the adidas footwear canon today.

NMD Runner

adidas followed up the success of the Ultra Boost with the NMD in 2015. Merging design cues from the Micro Pacer, Rising Star and Boston Super, the silhouette pairs a Flyknit upper with a Boost midsole. Inspired by the idea of traveling and city exploration (“NMD” being short for “nomad”), the original design has been succeeded by an extensive number of models.

Stan Smith

Arguably the world’s most iconic minimalist sneaker, the adidas Stan Smith was originally designed for tennis player Robert Haillet and retitled for American Grand Slam winner Stan Smith in 1978. The austere design has remained mostly unchanged since, with adidas often updating the upper with material advancements such as GORE-TEX and vegan leather.

Handball

The adidas Handball Spezial’s provenance can be traced back to German hardball courts in the 1970s. The shoe was later reintroduced by adidas Spezial, an archival sub-label inspired by the brand’s sporting heritage and associated subcultures.

Adilette

The adilette is adidas’ hero slide. Created in 1963 for football players to wear while changing after showering in the locker room, the simple single-strap design has become a ubiquitous poolside presence. The original design has been succeeded by notable updates, including the nubbed sole adissage, which is intended to massage the foot.

Iconic adidas Collaborations

Since the early 2000s, adidas has become one of the style landscape’s most prolific collaborators. Contributors include designers, musicians, artists, athletes, brands and more. Below, a guide to some of adidas’ most notable collaborations in recent times.

adidas x Gucci

adidas and Gucci announced their landmark partnership in 2022. Trading luxury and sportswear design codes, iconic silhouettes such as the Gazelle and ZX8000 are executed with made-in-Italy craftsmanship, Three Stripes and Monogram detailing.

adidas x Balenciaga

Balenciaga followed stablemate Gucci’s lead with an adidas collaboration of its own in 2022. Creative director Demna Gvasalia brought the Three Stripes and Trefoil to silhouettes including the Triple S and Speed Trainer, alongside a distressed remastering of the Stan Smith.

adidas x Prada

adidas’ luxury tie-ups with Gucci and Balenciaga were preceded by a Prada collection in 2019. Defined by minimalism, the initial collection saw the Prada logo applied to a made-in-Italy Superstar. Additional models have followed, including a silhouette dubbed the Luna Rossa 21 which took influence from the iconic design of the Prada America’s Cup shoe.

adidas x Bad Bunny

Musician Bad Bunny joined the adidas family in 2021. Since then, the pair have reworked several silhouettes, bringing design elements inspired by the rapper’s Puerto Rican heritage to sneakers such as the Forum Buckle Lows, Powerphase and Response CL.

adidas x Yu-Gi-Oh!

Anime and manga franchise Yu-Gi-Oh! joined forces with adidas in 2022. The graphic-heavy collection saw adidas’ ADI2000 sneaker reworked with iconography inspired by notable characters from the series, as well as nostalgic Reptossage slides. An updated version of the ADI2000 inspired by the franchise’s Yami Yugo hero arrived in early 2023.

adidas x Pharrell

After months of speculation, Pharrell Williams joined the adidas team as a collaborator in 2014. Initially working on a massive Stan Smith pack, the duo went on to re-edit the Superstar and debut his own signature sneaker, the PW ZX 333. Today, the hero silhouette of the line is the NMD Human Race, which builds on design cues previously established with the NMD. A limited iteration designed in tandem with Chanel was released in 2017 to mark the closing of Parisian concept store colette.

adidas x Raf Simons

Raf Simons’ adidas collaboration is highlighted by the Ozweego, a reworked version of the ’90s silhouette that helped usher in the “Dad Shoe” era. Simons has also presented subtle tweaks to the Stan Smith, a sneaker which he cites as one of his all-time favorites.

adidas x Dragon Ball Z

Dragon Ball Z lent its design language to adidas in 2018, with key characters from the show informing the colorway and design of seven different silhouettes. These include Son Goku vs. Frieza, represented by the ZX 500 RM and Yung-1 sneaker, respectively; Son Gohan vs. Cell, in the guise of a Deerupt and Prophere; and Vegeta vs. Majin Buu, which received an Ultra Tech and Kamanda. A Shenron the Dragon-inspired EQT Support Mid ADV PK rounded off the colorful pack.

adidas x Game of Thrones

At the peak of its success, HBO’s Game of Thrones and adidas lined up six Ultra Boost 4.0 silhouettes, each with a specific theme inspired by Westeros. This included an icy blue White Walker-inspired pair, as well as a Targaryen-specific design featuring bright-orange thread and completed with a “Fire and Blood” heel tab.

How to Style adidas Sneakers 

adidas’ sneakers program is vast, with a silhouette for any occasion. Iconic styles such as the Samba, Gazelle, Campus and Stan Smith can be worn with jeans, hoodies, sweatpants and tees. They can also be paired with more elevated styles to bring a touch of casual to formalwear. Meanwhile, the NMD and Ultra Boost series are modern lifestyle running sneakers suited to light activities or all-day wear in the city. 

Sneaker Brands Similar to adidas

Despite Adi Dassler’s legendary dispute between his brother, who founded PUMA, Nike is regarded as adidas’ fiercest rival. Other established competitors in the sportswear space include Under Armour and New Balance, while upcoming brands such as HOKA One One, On Running and Salomon are challenging the Three Stripes when it comes to technical innovations. These brands and several others can be considered similar to adidas, with preference largely coming down to personal opinion.

adidas Sneaker FAQs

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