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The best adidas walking shoes are certified stars from fashion to athletics, but the adidas Superstar is one of the most iconic of all time. The retro sneaker is not only one of the best white adidas sneakers to include any winning sneaker rotation, but its lasting influence has transcended several decades — and is seeing a resurgence among fashion insiders for summer 2024.
adidas has a undeniable track record of hyped “super star” sneakers, but amid rising adidas SL 72 shoes, coveted Campus 00s, and the dominating Samba and Gazelle shoe trends, the Superstar — a symbol of 2010s street style — is having its moment once again. The fashion lexicon is embracing the classic sneaker; Wales Bonner, known for blockbusting adidas collaborations, has turned its attention to the Superstar for fall 2024, as seen on the runway in a simplistic white wash peaking under wide-leg trousers. Edison Chen’s Clot Superstar spring collab came wrapped in shiny black leather, with unexpected rugged midsoles, contrast striping, and tassel lace charms. Not only that, the throwback Superstar made several cameos in the “Challengers” film that undoubtedly sparked the abounding tenniscore trend, all the while adidas was at work releasing a slew of bold colorways and modern twists on the icon for summer — from Y2K jelly shell uppers to new iterations of Superstar XLG platform sneakers.
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In fact, white adidas Superstar shoes are only growing in internet popularity, with TikTok views and searches racking up to 109 million views and counting, alongside a tapped-in community of sneakerheads celebrating the shoe’s long-awaited comeback. The minimalist leather sneaker is low-key at heart, with subtle-yet-luxe touches from shiny lace charms to clean-cut perforations that allow it to play into up-to-date trends and curated capsule wardrobe dressing — both of which offer an air of effortlessness for summer, too.
Defined by a white leather silhouette, three contrasting side stripes, and signature shell toes, the Superstar brings as a subtle, sporty attitude to everything from easy athleisure to buttoned-up workwear. While the stylistic gist of the shell-toe shoe has been highly coveted since 1970, adidas has dropped fresh colorways over the years, allowing the shoe to gel to anyone’s personal tastes. For example, the OG Superstar maintains its same white upper with black detailing, though you can also shop the durable sneaker in pops of trendy red, collegiate green, or minty turquoise, or lean into muted color trends with all-gray uppers.
Over the years, the Superstar has remained popular, partly because it’s so easy to wear. It might have gotten its start as an athletic shoe, but it doesn’t look like an adidas basketball sneaker, as far as current standards go. Just look at Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi, who wore the adidas Superstar XLG sneakers with shorts and a T-shirt, or Taylor Russel, who was seen wearing an all-black OG pair with baggy jeans and a designer handbag.
In honor of one of adidas’ most timeless sneakers, we’re sharing the best Superstar shoes that are trending for 2024, plus more information on the history of the adidas sneaker and adidas Superstar outfit ideas to sport this summer.
Price upon publish date of this article: $100
Price upon publish date of this article: $100
Price upon publish date of this article: $100
Price upon publish date of this article: $100
Price upon publish date of this article: $88
The History of adidas Superstar Sneakers
The iconic adidas Superstar shoe has come a long way since it was introduced to the public in 1970 — just five years after the adidas Stan Smith shoe. Without historical context, you might not know that the Superstar was born as a basketball sneaker. This is a testament to how long the Superstar has been around and how drastically athletic technology has changed.
The Superstar was the sneaker that came up to challenge the Chuck Taylor. This isn’t hard to imagine, but what’s hard to imagine now is playing basketball in a pair of Chuck Taylors. They were (and are) made of canvas with flat bottoms and slippery outsoles. The high top collapsed upon impact or got in the way during quick movements. As far as basketball sneakers went, the performance details needed work.
The Superstar came into the mix with a more protective and supportive leather upper, heels that absorb impact from high jumps, and hexagonal outsoles for maintaining traction during fast-paced games. Famed basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar signed with adidas in 1976 and began to push the Superstar to super fandom. In the ’80s, Run-D.M.C. brought the sneakers into music and hip-hop culture. These big names catapulted the sneaker out of sports culture and onto the streets.
Today, the Superstar continues to make a name for itself with the help of many creative partnerships. Whether teaming up with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Yohi Yamamoto, Bape, Hello Kitty, Sean Wotherspoon, Pharrell, or Beyoncé, the Superstar has and continues to be the most popular adidas sneaker for collaborations. Regardless of the brand, each new Superstar nods to the original design while adding features like chunky platform soles and metallic embellishments to create modernized versions that keep up with changing consumer interests.
How to Wear adidas Superstar Shoes — adidas Superstar Outfit Ideas
Summer Throwback
adidas Superstar ADV Shoes
Shown with: adidas Worldwide Hoops Graphic Tee ($40), adidas ’80s Loose Buttoned 3-Striped Bermuda Shorts ($70), adidas Running Ub23 Heat.rdy Socks ($20), adidas Leisure Bucket Hat ($27)
Crimson Tenniscore
adidas Superstar Shoes
Shown with: adidas Tennis Pro Aeroready Dress ($130 ), adidas Copa Zone Cushion Over-The-Calf Socks ($15 ), adidas Adicolor Classic Round Bag ($35)
The Different Types of adidas Superstar Sneakers
- adidas Superstar Shoes: The original Superstar style was built for basketball. However, today, the shoe remains a staple suited for everyday wear as a top adidas walking shoe. It features a simple leather upper and leather outsole with the signature shell-toe design, serrated stripes, perforations for ventilation, and contrasted colored heel tabs with the adidas logo.
- adidas Superstar XLG Shoes: Platform sneakers have taken the fashion set by storm, so it only makes sense that adidas released the adidas Superstar XLG shoes. The chunky style stays true to the Superstar’s DNA with the leather upper, EVA sock liner, and retooled shell toe; lifted by a platform sole that gives the design an oomph of edginess.
- adidas Superstar Lux Shoes: The Superstar Lux is a more elegant version of the Superstar sneaker. The style is very similar to the original retro trainer, with premium leather construction and more minimal design.
- adidas Superstar ADV Shoes: The Superstar ADV is part of adidas’ durable skateboarding line. Yes, the original Superstar sneaker was a no-brainer for skateboarding because of the shell-toe design; however, adidas created the Superstar ADV as a true adidas skate shoe. This updated silhouette is created with more stitching where skateboarders need it, such as the outsole, a one-piece tongue for a formed fit, and a flexible cupsole construction for control by the heel, toe, and sides of the shoes.
- adidas Superstar Golf Shoes: Recently, adidas has been making waves in the golf shoe department by creating an Ultraboost for golf, introducing a golf shoe with 4D technology, and partnering with Kith to release a Samba sneaker for golf. However, if the Superstar shoe speaks to your taste more, you can now rock the timeless style on the greens with the adidas Superstar Golf Shoe. While this shoe keeps the shell-toe, it differs from the original Superstars because it has a spiked outsole, which keeps players balanced and helps them take big swings.
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Meet the Author
Olivia Cigliano is a Commerce Writer & Producer at Footwear News and WWD where she writes and edits shopping content on the best-rated footwear, TikTok style trends, and more. Olivia received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Emerson College, and her byline can be found in publications including Elite Daily and CR Fashion Book.
