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A Full History of the adidas Forum

A Full History of the adidas Forum

Jul 13, 2021

Many good things came out of the year 1984. The original “Karate Kid,” “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “Sixteen Candles” were just a few of the cult-favorite movies of the year. Prince’s “Purple Rain” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” topped the music charts, the first Apple Macintosh personal computer went up for sale … and adidas launched a new basketball shoe to rule the 80’s basketball scene.

Though long retired from the hardwood, the adidas Forum has recently experienced a resurgence in popularity, thanks to some fashion influencers who resurrected the shoe into a streetwear must-have. From the court to the club, these kicks have walked a million miles over the last 20+ years, and this week, we’re lacing up for a walk down memory lane for a full history of the adidas Forum basketball-turned-casual style staple sneaker.

All About the ’80s

Men's multi-colored adidas Forum low basketball shoe on man in adidas apparel

French designer Jacques Chassaing created the adidas Forums in 1983 for the hard court, and they debuted the following year. In fact, when newbie NBA player Michael Jordan participated in the 1984 Team USA Olympic trials, he wasn’t yet wearing shoes bearing his name. He had on a pair of adidas Forums.

The then-recently launched basketball sneakers quickly replaced the adidas Top Tens as the brand’s latest and greatest bball shoe. At a $100 price point — a big sum of money to shell out for a sneaker in those days — the adidas Forum was also one of the first shoes to come in high, low and mid cut sillhouettes.

The standout feature of this adidas performance shoe was its criss-cross hook-and-loop strap for ankle stabilization. The sneaker also had a solid rubber cupsole, classic Three Stripes branding and solid leather detailing. Another key feature of the adi Forum: its Dellinger Web. This nylon netting, found along the midsole, was created by Bill Dellinger (the Oregon track and field coach who replaced Nike founder Bill Bowerman), to effectively distribute impact for smoother movement.

Serious Street Style

Woman crouched down in white, blue, and green adidas Forum Low sneakers and adidas apparel

Like some of its 1980s counterparts, particularly the Nike Dunk, the underground skater culture embraced the adidas Forum for its solid, grippy traction. And while the Forum continued to circulate through the basketball industry and the skatersphere, the style was eventually eclipsed by other, flashier models. It was re-released briefly in 2009 when Def Jam partnered with adidas on a Forum collab to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Now under the adidas Originals label — the lifestyle arm of adidas— the adi Forum is making a big splash with Gen Z, much to the credit adidas Originals designer Simone Smyth and some pretty serious collaborations. In late 2020, Beyonce’s IVY Park released a mint green adidas Forum Mid. Rapper Bad Bunny recently collaborated on several Forum Buckle Low releases, and even M&M’s candy is launching its own candy-colored collection of colorways.

Man sitting on fence in jeans, and adidas Trefoil tee and a pair of royal blue and white adidas Forum Mids

Whether you’re heritage basketball obsessed, a sports style fanatic, a skater or just a lover of old-school shoes, purchase a piece of history when you cop a pair or two of the timeless adi Forums at Hibbett | City Gear. (And check out the history of other legendary sneakers, like the Air Max line, Nike Dunks, the Air Jordan collection, Allen Iverson’s Reebok line and the full lineup of LeBrons, while you’re here.)

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