The Superstar is one of Adidas' iconic sneaker models.
I haven't worn them in a long time, but I feel like wearing them again.
I've had a lot of opportunities to buy soccer-style sneakers like "Samba" recently, so this may be a reaction to that.
The Superstar is a basketball shoe that was introduced in 1969.
Basketball is America, Adidas is Germany.
While Adidas enjoyed success in Europe in the 1960s, it struggled in the American market.
It's hard to imagine now, but at the time, basketball shoes were mainly made of canvas, which had a number of functional issues.
Adidas threw a wrench into this by creating the Superstar, an all-leather shoe that improved upon the various problems that basketball shoes of the time had.
The distinctive design is the "shell toe"
As the name suggests, it is a shell-shaped part attached to the toe.
The shell toe is not just a design feature, but a design to protect the toes, which are prone to damage during a match.
The basketball shoes that Adidas made at the time, especially for superstars, were revolutionary, and it is said that 70% of NBA players in the 1970s purchased Adidas shoes at their own expense.
One of the superstars who loved the shoes was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, an NBA player who is considered one of the "greatest basketball players in the world" alongside Michael Jordan.
Due to his admiration, more and more people began wearing Superstars on the streets, and from there they merged with street culture and became a widely loved sneaker.
With its shell toe, three stripes, and laurel wreath-motif Trefoil logo, this versatile Superstar not only boasts an excellent design, but also a beautiful silhouette, and its white body makes it easy to match with any outfit.
I think this design balance is one of a kind.
This may be a minor point, but there are many different types of superstars.
This time we chose "Superstar 82"
As the name 82 suggests, this model is a reproduction of the Superstar from 1982, and features a slightly slimmer silhouette than usual and thicker leather, giving it a luxurious yet classic look.
Personally, there are two points I like about Superstar 82.
One difference is the distinctive shell toe design. The 82 has a different color and subtle pattern, giving it a classic look.
The other is that the sole is a cream-colored color, giving it a vintage feel.
You may think that's a big deal, but there is an overwhelming difference in the way these two shoes look when worn.
The vintage-like coloring enriches the sneakers' look, and they develop a familiar look with repeated use.
It's quite difficult, but I'm sure you'll empathize if you try them on and compare them with the regular model.
Other differences include different stitching and the size of the ventilation holes between the three stripes.
There is a lot of attention to detail, even in places that go unnoticed.
What a superstar.
It is a masterpiece loved by people of all generations, and lives up to its glittering name.
