A sneaker rotation is only as good as its foundations. You can have all the wild kicks in the world but if you don’t have a solid roster of classics to prop it up, it’ll collapse at some point. There really isn’t any better place to build this foundation than adidas.
The Three Stripes has been supplying sneakerheads with iconic sneakers since it was founded 73 years ago and that means that classic adidas sneakers are tried and tested.
From the Gazelle to the Stan Smith, classic adidas sneakers have all had their moments at the top, but the difference between these silhouettes and trend-driven designs is that these ones never fall out of favor.
Take the Samba for example. 2021 was a huge year for the Samba, earning celebrity endorsements from A$AP Rocky, Frank Ocean, and more. 2022 hasn’t been such a high-flying year for the silhouette in the headlines, yet it remains an eternal favorite for millions of discerning collectors and fans out there.
Shop 9 of the best classic adidas sneakers below.
Gazelle
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Originally hitting shelves in 1968 as a football sneaker, the adidas Gazelle has seen subcultural love since its first days. Favored in the world of British casuals for its simple design and bold colorways, this timeless sneaker is up there with the safest bets in the game.
Stan Smith
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The Stan Smith is basically the prototype for understated sneakers. The tennis sneaker is famed for its use of the signature white and green colorway and recent editions of the style feature off-white sole units for a taste of the olden days.
Campus 80s
It's pretty crazy to see how far basketball shoes have come in the last 40-odd years. The high-tech designs of today are a long way from the adidas Campus 80s. There's no hiding it: we prefer these.
Samba Vegan
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One of the things that put classic adidas sneakers at the top of the pile is the brand's ability to keep the selection fresh and new without changing too much. The Samba Vegan is the perfect example, swapping materials for vegan options but retaining all the hallmarks that made it a favorite in the first place.
Superstar
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Talk about subcultural love, few have experienced more than the adidas Superstar. From B-Boy circles to countless dedicated lyrics, the shell-toed legend will never die. The white and black iteration is the OG but we're loving the white and green pair for summer, too.
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