The 10 Most Iconic adidas Superstars of All Time

Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few months, you'd know that 2020 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the legendary adidas Superstar. A retro shoe that originally released as a low-top version of the Pro Model, thousands of must-have styles and colourways have dropped since.

To celebrate the adidas trainer's massive milestone, we've trawled through every single colourway and hand selected ten of the most iconic ones of all time. Shell Toes, Clam Shells, and Shell Tops, whatever you call it, the Superstar will always be one of the most influential sneakers ever made. Still don't have a pair yet? Then make sure you take a look at the full Superstar range over at adidas UK right now!

In 1970, the adidas Superstar "OG" was born. Introduced as a basketball sneaker, it was the first low-top model to feature an all-leather upper, and it caught the attention of some of the best players from the NCAA and NBA, most notably Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was a record six-time NBA Most Valuable Player.

Fast forward over thirty years and the Three Stripes unveiled the adidas Superstar "Swarovski" in 2001. Limited to just three hundred pairs, this special edition shoe was covered in Swarovski crystals and was released to celebrate the first adidas Originals store that opened in Berlin. It doesn't get any blingier than this.

At this point in time, it had become apparent that the Superstar was one of the most legendary sneakers in history, so Japanese style icon Nigo tapped the German giant for his very own BAPE x adidas Superstar "1ST CAMO" in 2003. Covered in his signature military-inspired motif, this was the first time a collaboration of this magnitude hit the silhouette.

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Superstar, the Three Stripes reunited with Run DMC for a special version of the Run DMC x adidas Superstar "35th Anniversary". The rap group most notable for wearing their pairs without any laces and pushing the tongue of the shoe out, so this was reflected onto the limited edition pair that hit shelves on 2005.

In 2007, worlds collided as adidas Originals united with adidas Skateboarding for the Mark Gonzales x adidas Superstar "Skate". Featuring a clean full leather upper and a pink tartan print across the lateral and medial side panels, this was a firm favourite among skaters and sneakerheads. You'd be hard pressed to find a pair even today!

Made with the help of Japanese fashion icon Kazuki Kuraishi, Hong Kong multi-hyphenate Edison Chen took on the Superstar in 2012 for the CLOT x Kazuki x adidas Superstar "Textile". Dipped in his classic all-blue colour scheme, the shoe was famous for its unusual choice of material which was made for the humid Asian climate.

You can't have a list of the most iconic Superstars without mentioning the Pharrell Williams x adidas Superstar "Supercolor". Part of the famed "Supercolor" Pack which was unleashed in 2015, a total of fifty colours were made for this extensive collection, with the pair shown here signed by Skateboard P himself. One of the biggest collaborations in history, this paved the way to many more team ups in the future.

When Blondey McCoy unveiled the Blondey x adidas Superstar "Cloud White" in 2019, the entire sneaker community was in awe. The first Superstar ever to feature a fully clear polyurethane upper, it begs the question of why the German giant never thought of doing this before. Decorated with luxe gold detailing, a brown gum midsole provides ample traction both on the street and on the half pipe.

In the same year in 2019, adidas teamed up with Prada for the Prada x adidas Superstar "Core White". A collaboration like nothing else, this marked the first time the German footwear brand and the Italian fashion house partnered up for a pair of sneakers, and it's certainly not the last time either, as many more colourways are set to drop this year.

And last but not least is the adidas Superstan "Cloud White". A 2020 favourite, this hybrid model celebrates fifty years since the iconic silhouette made its debut. A fusion between the Superstar and the legendary Stan Smith, elements of both models are taken and seamlessly combined to create one awe-inspired sneaker that's currently still available over at adidas UK.