Difference Between Adidas Superstars 1 and 2

What do famous celebrities like Fergie, Chris Martin, NBA, Jay-Z, and Craig David have in common? The answer is: a pair of Adidas Superstars. Undeniably, this brand of shoes has transcended time and trends throughout its stay in the footwear industry. It does not only feature a superb engineering fit for basketball, but also represents versatility in terms of fashion. No wonder it’s one of the top choices of celebrities and artists, regardless of their style or genre.

Adidas Superstars can be traced back to as early as 1969. It is the low-top variation of the Pro Model basketball show, and the first to have an all-leather upper and the new famous rubber shell toe. Due to this distinctive element, it became known as ‘shell tops’, ‘shell shoes’ or ‘shell toe’. The same iconic design has become a major leverage within the sneaker market;  they sold like hotcakes to top athletes and artists. Since then, celebrities have considered Adidas Superstars a must-have in their outfits. Moreover, there are two Adidas Superstar sub-brands with some differences in their release dates and design – Adidas Superstars 1 and 2.

The Adidas Superstar 1 was the original collection released in 1969 and is distinguished primarily by its rubber shell toe piece. The shoe also has a thin leather tongue without any additional padding on the inside of the tongue. This was a major milestone for athletic footwear design as it was the first low top basketball shoe ever introduced that featured all leather upper and a rubber toe. Because of its maximum-protection advantage, it was a must have for most basketball players in both the NCAA and NBA. In fact, three-quarters of NBA players were wearing the Adidas Superstar 1 within the first years of its presence on the market; Kareem Abdul Jabbar is one of the most notable fans of the shoes.

With all the free endorsement it was receiving from prominent athletes and artists, Adidas Superstar 1 soared in the 1970s. Known for its classic style and comfort, it was suitable not only on the basketball court, but also onstage and in the streets. It was either worn without laces and with the tongue out – as popularized by the rap group Run D.M.C. – or with thick, fat laces that usually matched the colors of the iconic three-stripe detail. Moreover, Adidas released different editions of the Superstar 1. In 2005, they were designed with artist and music industry inspired features. In 2007, the NBA editions were introduced with their colors matching those of NBA teams. With a wide variety of colors to choose from, the Adidas Superstar 1 can easily be worn by anyone to showcase their personal style.

Adidas reinvented the original Superstar shoe, producing the Adidas Superstar 2, which takes a rather retro approach, bringing back the classic basketball style. It employs more complex prints and bolder colors, such as floral lining for women’s shoe interiors or metallic silver exteriors. Another add-on is the silk lining intended for increased comfort. Although it retains the classic rubber shell toe, the Superstar has been upgraded from leather upper to full leather for improved comfort. The full grain leather upper is both supportive and abrasion resistant. The outsole features a herringbone pattern for added grip. Part of the new design is a thick padded tongue for additional comfort and support, and increased padding around the heel improves the level of protection. With regard to aesthetic functions, several new editions of the Superstar 2 have been released. Superstar 2 is available in more daring styles and colors; some even have customized graphics or subliminal touches. An example of one of the newest editions is the Def Jam Records series.

Summary:

1. Adidas Superstar 1 is the original collection released in 1969, while Adidas Superstar 2 is a reinvention of the original one.
2. The Superstar 1 has an all-leather upper and a rubber toe. The second collection has an add-on in the form of a silk lining for better comfort.
3. The Superstar 1 has a thin leather tongue, while the Superstar 2 has a thick padded tongue.
4. Adidas Superstar Collection 2 has bolder colors and more complex prints in comparison to the first one.