The Adidas Sneaker That Owned the 1980s Has Never Looked So Elite

From the Berlin Wall to the streets of New York, no sneaker brand dominated the 1980s like Adidas.

Before the Air Jordans took flight and when New Balance was just for running, the triple stripes transcended every niche and segment of popular culture. Run DMC rapped about them, Rocky wore them in the ring and Larry Bird had a signature pair.

End

Within the pantheon of legendary Adidas sneakers worn in the last decade of the Cold War, one model stands above the rest: the Superstar. Defined by the “shell top” toecap, it is somehow both immediately recognizable and infinitely versatile.

Available in a vast array of colors and often worn with a matching Adidas tracksuit, the Superstar dominated hip hop’s early years and was a must-have in every high school in America.

Adidas

Adidas has added an ultra-premium build to the Superstar Vintage collection. Sporting the iconic red and blue on white color scheme, this Made in Germany pair is the first iteration in a long time that feels worthy of the sneaker’s legendary history.

These roots go deeper

Even though the Superstar became an icon in the 1980s, it was initially released in 1970 as a low-top basketball shoe. According to Adidas, at one point in the 1970s, “75 percent of professional basketball players in the U.S. wore Superstars.”

Adidas

In the early 1980s, the Superstar paved the way for transitioning from basketball shoe to must-have lifestyle sneaker, a path that the original Nike Air Jordans would revolutionize in subsequent years.

The key feature of the sneaker was an extended toecap, which improved upon the design of the Chuck Taylor All-Star and provided more protection for players’ toes on the court.

End

The Superstar Vintage MiG matches the original 1970 design with a retro logo printed on the side, the original narrower stripes and a smaller heel lip panel.

A luxurious leather sneaker

Several details that make the Superstar Vintage MiG an authentic reproduction are tied to its premium quality.

Features like a leather lining, a heel backstay and a heavy rubber outsole were standard issue in the early 1970s but are only found in luxury sneaker production today.

End

The upper is made from stitched premium leather on par with brands like Koio and Goral. One of the most interesting features is the foam-lined leather tongue with exposed stitching.

The inside is lined with leather, and the insole is also leather, allowing it to mold to the owner’s foot as the sneaker breaks in, like a quality boot.

Most importantly, the extra thickness of the leather panels on the upper and the enhanced density of the rubber sole mean this sneaker will hold up far longer than a standard Superstar.

Adidas

Adidas is offering something better than happening upon old dead stock Superstars because this premium build actually surpasses the original.

Even though it was released in the 1970s and became iconic in the 1980s, the Superstar still looks better than most sneakers on the market today. Like Rev Run said, “We make a mean team, my Adidas and me.”

Availability and price

The Adidas Superstar Vintage Made in Germany is available now from Adidas for $250. However, most sizes have sold out in less than a month since their release.

The good news is that End dropped a fresh stock with a full range of men’s sizing. The bad news is that the British retailer charges $79 more than Adidas’s American website.

End

Adidas Superstar Vintage Made in Germany

• $329 at End
• $250 at Adidas

Related Topics