Has there ever been a piece of footwear more deserving of its name than the Adidas Superstar? Aside from perhaps the Converse All Star, we’d have to say no.

Three bold diagonal stripes, sat against a backdrop of crisp white leather and brought to life by a trademark tonal rubber toe cap; this throwback favorite offers a masterclass in characterful subtlety that transcends time and trends.

It may look simple enough, but this unassuming low-top basketball shoe has shaken things up dramatically both on the court and off it. Now in its 50th year, the Superstar is widely regarded as having been a catalyst for sneaker culture, and its adoption by early hip hop style pioneers has only furthered its iconic status.

To mark its half-century, Adidas has announced collabs with the likes of Prada and model Blondy McCoy. And rumors are swirling about a new collaboration with Run-DMC, who famously wore the shoe in the 1980s.

The pageantry is fitting for what it one the most influential sneakers of all time. It remains largely unchanged from its original design yet is still as relevant as ever. Which makes it worth examining the finer points of this sportswear classic and why it’s worth adding to your footwear lineup.

Adidas Superstars: 50 Years Of Sneaker History

The year 1969 wasn’t without its revolutionary events. Man set foot on the moon for the first time, the Boeing 747 took its maiden voyage and The Beatles made their final public performance on the Apple Records rooftop. In terms of footwear, however, the biggest news was the launch of a new low-top version of Adidas’ Pro Model basketball shoe, dubbed the Superstar (although the brand has dubbed 2020 as its anniversary year).

Design-wise, the Superstar was the first low-top basketball shoe to be constructed from leather; something which set it apart from the competition. Its success on professional courts, however, was largely down to the work of then Adidas consultant Chris Severn, who as well as helping to design the shoe, took it upon himself to market it at gyms.