Why Is adidas' Excellent Campus a Sneaker Underdog?
Today, adidas sneakers reign supreme in the sneaker world. Along with the popularity of Sambas throughout the 2020s, other adidas gems like the Gazelle and Taekwondo have also been getting major airtime. In 2025, one underrated model reentering the conversation is the adidas Campus.
Originally, the adidas Campus was introduced as a basketball performance shoe. During the ‘70s, the pair came out as “The Tournament” and a decade later changed to “The Campus”, when its popularity rocketed. With the breakout of hip-hop during the late ‘80s in America, the kicks were adopted by the community alongside classics like adidas Superstars and Nike Air Jordan 1s.
In recent seasons, sleeker silhouettes have made a major comeback in the lifestyle field. The adidas Campus also follows its siblings' footsteps by keeping it simple, but versatile just the same. Its lightweight composition makes this model super practical for spring and summer.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best collaborations and striking colorways for you to add to your seasonal rotation. Whether you are a minimalist or a maximalist, the adidas Campus has an option for everyone.
Shop the best adidas Campus colorways below.
Campus Sneakers
Originally launched in the 1970s as the “Tournament”, this is the shoe that was rebranded as the Campus in the 1980s. It soon gained cult status in basketball, skateboarding, hip‑hop, and streetwear scenes, and has remained a timeless staple since, known for its smooth suede upper, bold 3‑stripe detail, and minimalist retro silhouette.
Campus 00s Sneakers
The adidas Campus 00s prescribes the original shoe, as the name suggest, a proper Y2K injection. These kicks are infused with skateboarding cues galore, like the inflated silhouette, thick laces, and puffy tongue. This is your call if you like a sneaker with a bold personality.
Campus Vulc Shoes
The Campus Vulc is a slimmer reinterpretation of the classic Campus silhouette, built with vulcanized rubber soles for boardfeel and flexibility.
Campus 00s x Liberty London
This one's a creative collaboration between adidas Originals and Liberty London, a brand known for its iconic floral prints, namely its Manuela Meadow pattern that features a psychedelic, Indian chintz‑inspired motif. The sneaker here blends the chunky, aughts-reminding Campus 00s silhouette with a vibrant Liberty graphic.
Campus 00s Beta Sneakers
Part of adidas Originals, the Campus 00s Beta draws inspiration from late ’90s and early 2000s archive designs, offering a suede-clad, nostalgic yet modern aesthetic.
Campus 90s ADV
This version of the Campus is part of adidas Skateboarding's ADV (Advanced) series — a performance-focused spin on the classic, updated with retro‑Y2K styling cues and functionality-focused design attributes.
Campus ADV Sneakers
Another ADV for those who like to keep it simple: these kicks follow the original silhouette while adding an Adituff toe for performance reinforcement. Its royal blue hue gives the shoe an extra oomph without taking away from its universal appeal and endless styling opportunities.
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