Some silhouettes come into the sneaker industry and go out of it silently. But other silhouettes came in at some point and never went out. Although their shine dimmed every once in a while, they always managed to come back. Obvious examples of such cases are the Nike Dunks and several Air Jordan silhouettes. But another silhouette that people often overlook belongs on this list. The Adidas Forum is a classic that needs -and actually got- its own moment in the spotlight! Here’s the story of the silhouette that belongs in the three stripes brand’s hall of fame.
The Adidas Forum – A History
The year is 1983, and Adidas was a strong player on the basketball scene. In fact, our story starts in the era in which Adidas was way ahead of the Swoosh when it comes to basketball kicks. The three stripes had basketball stars like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird on its endorsement roster. And obviously, the brand wanted to outdo its predecessor, the Top Ten.
Jacques Chassaing, the sneaker designer, went all out with his newest creation. He talked to players and coaches and wanted an inclusive pair of kicks. A pair that’s versatile enough to work well in whichever position the basketball player keeps. And the collective problem for players was ankles and ankle injuries. That’s why, Chassaing developed the criss-cross ankle support system!
Fast forward to 1984, and the Adidas Forum is out on the market. Mind you, it retailed for $100, which is equivalent to about $290 in 2023. In other words, it was hella expensive! But still, people bought it, and it became a status symbol in a way. And in 1984, then-rookie Michael Jordan wore the kicks during the Olympic basketball trials. Of course, that was before Nike signed him and started turning the tides.
Life Is Full of Highs and Lows
The Adidas Forum was popular, it really was, despite its pretty high price tag. It actually stayed popular until around 1987 and the early 90s in some places. Moreover, Adidas dropped low and mid-top Forums… you know, gotta keep up with all the trends! And well, it worked for a while because people loved the versatility of the kicks. However, Jordan Brand soon took over, and many silhouettes took a backseat. That was a time when Nike started taking over Adidas on the basketball court!
The Adidas Forum Resurgence – How Did It Do It?
You know how every couple of decades trends come back? Well, Adidas Forum managed to sneak its way back into 2020’s trends all the way to 2023! Although the Adidas Campus is kinda taking over, the Forums still have their own appeal on the market today. But how exactly did it reach this status? Well, here are all the contributing factors!
Versatility Is King
After the pandemic, everyone started ditching different styles in favor of functionality and comfort. And if anything, the Adidas Forum is pretty versatile. You can wear it for sports, or simply to go out and hang out with friends. It looks fancy with all the materials in it, and it’s definitely stylish. In fact, the kicks fit that minimal yet hot aesthetic that reigned in the last few years.
Everyone, and Their Mother, Wore It
You’ll think we’re kidding, but we really aren’t. When Adidas brought back the Forums, they did with a vengeance. And naturally, all the brand ambassadors got to flex them. So we saw the kicks on a lotta celebrities’ feet like Bella Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and Blackpink’s Lisa. And if there’s anything that gets a trend going, it’s a popular celeb rocking a certain style.
Collaborations Are Crucial
If you wanna get a sneaker going, partner up with someone influential. And from M&Ms, South Park, and Xbox to Bad Bunny, the Adidas Forum went through it all. Naturally, there was something for everyone, and that led to a higher resale value for some! And if you wanna catch a pair, you’ll wanna follow up with all the news. But don’t worry, we got you covered. The NSB blog has everything you need, from sneakers news all the way to sneaker botting guides! You can take a look for yourself here. Godspeed
