Adidas is a sneaker brand that has been around for decades. The iconic brand started in 1924 when Adolf “Adi” Dassler and his brother Rudolf Dassler founded the Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory.
It wasn’t until about 20 years later, in 1949, when Adi Dassler took full ownership of the company, that it was rebranded to Adidas.
Adidas’ original logo, showcasing its roots as ‘Adolf Dassler Sportschuhe,’ highlights the brand’s rich history in sports footwear innovation
The shoe brand quickly became a household name after the 1954 World Cup final, when the German national soccer team wore innovative Adidas soccer shoes. The cleats boasted screw-in studs that could be adjusted to fit field conditions.
Adidas didn’t stop creating original footwear after the success of its ingenious soccer cleats, either. Since the 1950s, the Adidas brand has created many great pieces of footwear that are comfortable and eye-catching. Below are some of the most popular Adidas sneakers of all time.
1. Adidas Gazelle: A Timeless Classic for Every Wardrobe
Of the Adidas brand’s impressive collection of shoes, the Adidas Gazelle is one of the company’s most worn sneakers.
Initially designed as a training shoe for top athletes in 1991, the iconic Gazelle sneaker has been refreshed with a sleek, narrower silhouette but retains the classic contrasting 3-Stripes and heel tab of the original and is presented in throwback archival hues
If you look at the shoe, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. Its simplistic design, available in many colors, appeals to a wide variety of tastes.
The Gazelle OG was first introduced in 1968 as an indoor soccer shoe and became the Gazelle we know today several years later
The suede fabric makes this sneaker a little more durable and looks more fashionable than a synthetic alternative.
2. Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2: A Fashion Phenomenon
Adidas knows how to reach its customers, so it partnered with Kanye West in 2016. The American rapper brought the brand a lot of attention and made Yeezys a hot commodity.
The Yeezy Boost 350 V2 “Red” is among the trio of colorways for the silhouette by Kanye West that was released in November 2016
The shoe’s unique design has kept customers intrigued by its look, and the limited quantity available at one time has ensured the Adidas Yeezy stays on the map.
In 2022, the iconic partnership between Kanye West and Adidas ended, marking the close of a defining chapter in sneaker history. Despite the split, Yeezy’s influence on both the fashion and sneaker worlds remains undeniable, with the Yeezy Boost 350 V2 continuing to be highly sought after by collectors and fans alike.
3. Adidas Superstar: The Hip-Hop Icon of Athletic Shoes
The Superstar is an Adidas classic, with its shell-toe design, and has been a brand staple for the last 50 years. This Adidas style became especially popular in 1986 after the hip-hop group Run DMC released their single “My Adidas.”
With its roots in both hoops and hip-hop, the Superstar is a low-top athletic shoe manufactured by Adidas since 1969
The music video shows the musicians wearing laceless Adidas Superstars singing about the footwear brand.
4. Adidas Samba: The Original Soccer Sneaker
Samba has a rich history with Adidas and was the first official sneaker to be released by the company. Its popularity is more common in Europe as the style was originally designed for soccer shoes.
A thick and textural sole raises the game of a classic sneaker with exposed seam details and the signature trio of bright stripes
Released in 1949, the Samba was meant to be an indoor soccer shoe to help players perform on various terrains. Today, the indoor shoe is still incredibly popular and is one of Adidas’s top-selling sneakers.
5. Adidas Futurecraft 4D: Pioneering Sustainable Footwear
Adidas hopped on the sustainability trend in 2017 with the release of the innovative Adidas Futurecraft 4D. This unique sneaker is 3D printed using Carbon’s Digital Light Synthesis technology.
The Adidas Futurecraft 4D showcases cutting-edge 3D-printed technology, offering both sustainability and innovation in footwear design
The progressive design wasn’t the only notable aspect of this shoe, either. The shoe was also constructed from recycled materials as a way to reduce waste in the world and reuse plastic materials.
6. Adidas UltraBoost: The Ultimate Running Shoe
The Adidas UltraBoost was released in 2015 and quickly became one of the brand’s top sellers. When it released the shoe, Adidas claimed the UltraBoost was “The Greatest Running Shoe Ever.”
That’s quite a claim for any shoe brand to make, but Adidas’ impressive history and experience with shoe innovation led it to claim the title for its UltraBoost.
The Adidas UltraBoost combines cutting-edge Boost cushioning with a sleek, adaptive Primeknit upper for optimal performance and style
The Boost technology revolutionized athletic footwear by delivering unparalleled comfort. In addition, the UltraBoost incorporates two other key Adidas innovations: the Torsion bar for stability and Primeknit for a flexible, supportive fit.
All of these technologies combined in one sneaker have made the UltraBoost a name for itself within the Adidas brand and worldwide.
7. Adidas Stan Smith: The Best-Selling Sneaker Legacy
Look no further if you’re wondering what the all-time best-selling Adidas sneaker is. Stan Smith has been the brand’s best-seller for decades and was even named one of the overall best-selling sneakers of the 2010s.
The timeless Adidas Stan Smith sneakers, known for their minimalist design, continue to be a streetwear staple for decades (Credit: WENN)
When these shoes were created in the 1960s, they were designed as tennis sneakers. The shoe took its name from tennis pro and Wimbledon winner Stan Smith and was a well-known tennis shoe at the time.
The style became even more popular when it moved from the tennis court to the street as a casual sneaker.
Former world No. 1 American tennis player and two-time Grand Slam singles champion Stan Smith holding a pair of Adidas Stan Smith sneakers (Credit: WENN)
Over the years, Adidas has released a few different versions of the Stan Smith, but all continue to be popular and receive applause from the world of fashion.
In 2020, Adidas celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Superstar by blending the sneaker with another iconic silhouette, the Stan Smith. The new Superstar style features design elements from both the Superstar and Stan Smith.
To ensure the perfect fit for your Adidas sneakers, check out our Adidas shoe size chart and calculator. With comprehensive size conversions for men’s and women’s shoes across regions, you’ll find the ideal size for maximum comfort.