A History of the Best Adidas Sneakers
The Adidas story begins in 1924 in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Concepted in his mother’s laundry room, Adolf “Adi” Dassler and his brother registered the company “Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik,” which translates to “Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory,” with the intention to provide athletes with the best possible sports gear. Dassler’s development of spiked running shoes using canvas and rubber, rather than the heavier, metal alternative, led many athletes to success, including U.S. sprinter Jesse Owens, who wore the shoes during the 1936 Summer Olympics, winning four gold medals, elevating the prominence of the sports shoe company.
A Guide to Adidas Sneakers, At a Glance:
- Samba OG—debuted 1950
- Tokyo—debuted 1964
- Gazelle—debuted 1966
- Stan Smith—debuted 1978
- Country OG—debuted 1970
- SL 72 OG—debuted 1972
- Taekwondo—debuted 2019
- Japan—debuted 1964
- Handball Spezial—debuted 1979
- Superstar II—debuted 1970
- adidas by Stella McCartney—debuted 2005
- adidas Originals by Wales Bonner—debuted 2020
In 1949, Dassler registered both the name “Adolf Dassler adidas Sportschuhfabrik,” as well as a shoe with the now infamous, three-stripes logo. Fast forward to 1950, the birth year of the Samba; weighing 357 grams, it resembled more of a boot shape, in order to protect players from icy and snowy pitches, significantly different from the model we know today, which was reintroduced in 1972, as an indoor soccer shoe with a more streamlined design.
The 1970s brought the introduction of the Trefoil logo (1972), along with a few other legendary sneakers, one being the Stan Smith. Although the court shoe was originally developed in the ‘60s with a French player named Robert Haillet, the shoe catapulted to success in 1973, when the American tennis superstar proudly added his name (and image) to the clean, white lace-up with signature green accents. This shoe became such a success off-court throughout the ‘80s, that it appeared in the Guiness Book of Records in 1989 after selling 22 million pairs.
The Superstar sneaker, originally launched in 1970 with a distinctive, shell-toe design, later had its breakthrough moment when hip-hop group Run-D.M.C. wore the shoe and released “My Adidas” in 1986, making it a street style icon, not just a sports one. And when Robert Louis-Dreyfus became CEO in 1993, this new era began to take form—categorized by marketing and the intersection of lifestyle. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, celebrity endorsements and the reintroduction of many retro sneaker styles through the Originals subcategory, spurred growth, along with incredible designer partnerships, like those with Stella McCartney, Y-3, and Pharrell Williams, which we still see today.
Just as the company’s performance offerings have continued to expand, so does its lifestyle popularity—Adidas sneakers have become bonafide street style staples. The Taekwondo, Tokyo, and Japan styles are the latest to take rise, spotted on Jennifer Lawrence, Kendall Jenner, Kaia Gerber, and more, but you can count on many of these classics to never lose their cool factor. Keep reading to discover the history of all the best Adidas sneakers.
Samba OG
Although 1950 was the technical birth year of the Samba, the sneaker shape we readily see today which has created a street style sensation was the indoor soccer sneaker reintroduced in 1972. With a gum sole for traction and leather upper, skateboarders in the ‘90s relied on the shoe for incredible grip and stability, while pop culture references enforced its street style status. In 2023, seemingly every It-girl from Emily Ratajkowski to Kaia Gerber had a pair, and they remain popular to this day.
Tokyo
The Tokyo sneaker was originally a true performance, runner shape, which debuted at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, and available to the public throughout the ‘70s. The slim, low-cut design is sleek and simple, and has seen an increased rise in popularity after a rerelease in recent years, especially with the rise in all things retro in the sneaker space. Whether you prefer a classic design, a recent favorite of Jennifer Lawrence, or want to play with metallics and bright colors, there is a style for everyone.
Gazelle
1966 saw the launch of the Gazelle sneaker with two versions—the red variation designed for indoor sports and the blue intended as a training shoe. Throughout the ‘60s and ‘70s, the sneaker became an essential for professional athletes, while gaining mass appeal, featured as a prop in apparel photo shoots. The ‘80s and ‘90s saw revivals, but as the Originals subcategory launched in 2001, the Gazelle made its biggest comeback, becoming a cherished sneaker design that continues to hold its own in the lifestyle category, up to present day.
Stan Smith
Although the court shoe was originally developed in the ‘60s with a French player named Robert Haillet, the clean, white lace-up sneaker was relaunched in 1973, when the American tennis superstar proudly added his name (and image) to the shoe. Originally, the white sneaker featured the contrast heel tab in green and perforated 3-Stripes, with much success through the ‘80s, and gained particular sartorial success in 2010, when Phoebe Philo donned them while taking a bow at her Céline runway show, creating mass hysteria within the fashion community.
Country OG
The Country OG found success with cross-country runners in 1970 when the gum-soled sneaker came to market. Today, it continues to inspire sneakerheads worldwide, with nostalgic roots and a comfortable fit. Featuring a leather upper and rubber outsole, the sporty, retro feel has the added bonus of versatility—we love them paired with both dresses, jeans and T-shirts, and sweat sets, alike. Choose from neutral classics, trend-forward metallics, or even daring pops of color—whatever your mood fancies.
SL 72 OG
Just like the original offerings that Dassler produced, the SL 72 OG was a true runner sneaker, when it premiered in 1972. Defined by a nylon upper, the first in its class, the non-leather fabrication gives the sneaker an extremely lightweight feel. This sporty-chic design has seen style recognition as of late, when Bella Hadid wore a pair on the streets of New York City in 2024, driving them to sell-out status almost instantaneously. With modern adaptations featuring EVA cushioning for daily comfort, these are definitely sticking around for the long haul.
Taekwondo
A newer throwback style that is gaining mass traction is the Taekwondo sneaker. With original inspiration dating back to designs for martial arts athletes in the early 2000s, the low-top design now comes in both lace-up versions and lace-less slip-on styles, remaining lightweight and agile, with gripped traction, just like the professional athletes for whom the shoe was named for would need. Modern day fans include sneakerhead Jennifer Lawrence, who has been seen wearing the black with white stripe variation, styled with trouser pants and a duffle coat on the street.
Japan
Another sneaker that has been seeing a street style revival, the Japan was originally introduced in 1964 at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Designed for training for championship athletes, the archival style has been revived recently much to the excitement of sports fans and fashion enthusiasts alike. The sneaker still offers performance features, including perforations for ventilation, a double-stitched toe for durability, and an EVA midsole for stability and comfort. Consider styling with everything from denim to suiting, slip skirts, and more.
Handball Spezial
Launched in 1979, originally for handball players, this cult-favorite sneaker has become a lifestyle essential through the years. With a bold, gum sole and suede upper, contemporary interpretations often blend color, fabric, and texture. Test drive this model for a bolder statement, rather than similar styles like the Samba and Gazelle. With colorblocked and contrast design play, this sneaker has an attention-grabbing look that is simply irresistible.
Superstar II
Another byproduct of the 1970s first as a basketball shoe, the Superstar found fame thanks to its shell-toe capped design that was unlike any other. Celebrity endorsements, like Run-D.M.C.’s association with the sneaker in the late ‘80s, helped cement its status as a cultural phenomenon. Still a prominent style today, available in both classic white and black, with new drops of bold colors seasonally, this sneaker has seen many collaborations with superstars in their own right, such as Pharrell Wiliams and Wales Bonner.
Collaborations
The extensive roster of Adidas collaborators, which primarily began in the 2000s, has further elevated the status of this athletic brand. Boundary-pushing brands and individuals, such as Wales Bonner (a collaborator since 2020) and Sporty Rich (since 2022), along with permanent collections, such as the adidas by Stella McCartney line (since 2005) and Y-3 collection (since 2003), continue to entice fashion-loving fans. Lasting partnerships with Pharrell Williams and Bad Bunny further prove the cultural importance of the brand.
