- Sneakers were born for sports but became a cultural phenomenon, transcending the boundaries of athletics.
- The term “sneaker” comes from the English “to sneak,” and refers to quiet rubber soles.
- Adidas has turned models such as Samba, Gazelle and Superstar into true style icons.
There was a time when sports shoes were strictly for sports. Each sport had its own specific footwear because different activities required different levels of support, traction, and durability.
Today, sports shoes—especially running shoes—are worn by just about everyone, even those who never step foot on a track or field. In fact, the only exceptions are highly specialized shoes, like soccer cleats or track spikes, which aren’t exactly practical for city streets or indoor floors.
But why have sneakers transcended sports to become a global fashion staple? The answer is simple: they’re more comfortable than formal shoes and often just as stylish. They also carry cultural significance—think about hip-hop’s deep connection with a particular sneaker we’ll get to later: the adidas Superstar.
Nowadays, sneakers are everywhere—on the feet of runners and non-runners alike, sneakerheads who collect them for passion, and casual wearers who just love how effortlessly they go with everything.
The pioneer
While many brands have created legendary sneakers, adidas was the first to do it on a major scale. Founded in 1949 by Adi Dassler with the goal of improving athletes’ performance, the brand has since evolved into a cultural powerhouse, influencing generations and reshaping the way we see footwear.
Why are they called “sneakers”?
The shift from sportswear to fashion also brought a new name: “sneaker.” If you’ve ever wondered whether a sneaker is just a sports shoe, you’re not wrong. Their origins are the same, and many still use materials like smooth leather or suede, just like their athletic predecessors.
But the term “sneaker” has an interesting backstory. In the 1800s, most shoes had hard leather soles that made noise with every step. When rubber soles were introduced, they allowed people to move quietly—essentially, to “sneak” around. The verb soon became a noun, and “sneaker” was born.
The real revolution, however, happened when sneakers moved beyond sports and became a form of self-expression. Initially worn by athletes and students, they are now a staple for celebrities, rappers, artists, and fashion enthusiasts. adidas played a crucial role in this transformation, turning performance-driven models into global style icons.
Let’s take a look at some of the most legendary adidas sneakers and the stories behind their names.
Early Adidas icons: Samba, Gazelle and Superstar
Samba: from soccer fields to the city
Introduced in 1950—just a year after adidas was founded—the Samba is one of the brand’s oldest and most significant models. While it wasn’t initially called a “sneaker” or worn off the pitch, it was designed to provide better traction on icy, slippery soccer fields.
Over time, it became a streetwear essential, embraced by English football fans and skateboarders alike. Today, it ranks as adidas’ second best-selling shoe of all time.
The name “Samba” may be a tribute to Brazil, but what really matters is its timeless appeal, which continues to make it one of the most beloved sneakers in history.
Gazelle: built for agility
Launched in 1966, the Gazelle was one of adidas’ first sneakers to feature a suede upper. Its name likely references the speed and grace of the animal, or possibly honors Wilma Rudolph, the Olympic sprinter known as “The Black Gazelle.”
This model marked a significant innovation at the time, replacing traditional leather with suede for a lighter, more flexible fit. It originally came in two versions:
- Red: Designed for indoor sports like handball and soccer, with a translucent rubber outsole and a herringbone pattern for grip.
- Blue: Created for general training, featuring ankle padding, arch support, a microcellular rubber sole, and a kangaroo leather upper.
In the 1990s, thanks to Britpop and Oasis’ Gallagher brothers, the Gazelle became a symbol of effortless style. Later, Jay Kay of Jamiroquai further cemented its cultural status, famously wearing it in the Virtual Insanity music video.
Fun fact: The Gazelle had different names depending on the market. In France, it was called “Chamois” (for the blue version) and “Rubis” (for the red) until the early 1980s, while in Japan, it was known as the “Adidas 300.”
Superstar: the hip hop classic
First released in 1969 as a basketball shoe, the adidas Superstar featured a leather upper and its now-iconic rubber shell toe. It quickly gained popularity for its durability, and by the mid-70s, 75% of NBA players—including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—were wearing it.
The name “Superstar” reflected the ambitions of those who laced them up, but its rise to fame didn’t stop on the court. In the 1980s, the hip-hop group Run-DMC catapulted the Superstar into pop culture, rocking them without laces and even rapping about them in My Adidas. adidas took notice, signing them to a sponsorship deal and releasing a special edition with their logo on the tongue.
That’s just the beginning. Stay tuned for more iconic adidas sneaker stories in our next installment!