Superstar

The adidas Superstar is the sneaker with the rubber ‘shell toe’, the shell-shaped toe cap you recognise instantly. It started out in 1969 as a basketball shoe and grew into a fixture of hip-hop and streetwear. With its leather upper, serrated stripes and flat sole, the Superstar is one of the best-known models from adidas, for women and men.

The history of the adidas Superstar

adidas released the Superstar in 1969 as a low-top leather basketball shoe, at a time when many players still wore canvas. The rubber toe cap protected the toes and made the front sturdy enough for the court. In the 1970s it became a familiar sight in American professional basketball.

In the 1980s the Superstar moved from the court to the street. Hip-hop group Run-DMC wore it without laces and with the tongue pulled forward, turning it into a symbol of that scene. The model has never left the range since.

Design: shell toe, leather and stripes

The upper is smooth leather, with three stripes that have serrated edges. A coloured heel tab sits at the back, and the side often carries the Superstar name in gold-coloured lettering. Below that is a flat rubber cupsole that gives the shoe a low profile.

The defining feature remains the rubber toe, which gives the front its rounded shape and structure. Next to the classic version there is the Superstar II, a later take on the same design. Editions in other materials, such as pony hair or animal prints, also appear regularly.

Popular adidas Superstar colorways

Besides black and white, the Superstar comes in many collaborations and eye-catching materials. These are currently the most popular pairs on WOOVIN:

• Superstar II ‘Black Ponyhair’ (W): black pony hair with white details.
• Superstar x Molly-Mae ‘Latte’: cream white with an earthy brown tone.
• Superstar 2 ‘Core Black Cloud White’: black leather with white stripes.
• Superstar II ‘White Black’: white leather with black stripes, the classic combination.
• Superstar x Pokémon ‘Pikachu’: bright yellow with black accents.

What is the difference between the adidas Superstar and the Stan Smith?

Both are white leather sneakers from adidas, but the Stan Smith is a tennis shoe with a plain toe and stripes made of small perforations. The Superstar has the rubber shell toe and stitched stripes, which makes it look sportier and sturdier. If you want a flatter, slimmer model, look at the adidas Samba or the somewhat chunkier adidas Campus.

How does the adidas Superstar fit?

According to adidas, the Superstar fits true to size, so you can order your usual adidas size. The leather and rubber toe feel a little snug for the first few days, but the upper softens as you wear it. Wide feet, or a preference for some extra toe room, call for half a size up. Narrow feet are fine in the size you normally wear in adidas.

Buying the adidas Superstar at WOOVIN

At WOOVIN you will find the Superstar and Superstar II for women and men, from black and white to pony hair, animal prints and collaborations. Choose white with black stripes for the familiar look and a collab if you want something with its own story. For pairs with (W) in the name, check the adidas women’s size chart.