Adidas Superstar vs Nike Air Force 1: A Matter of Style

The Adidas Superstar and Nike Air Force 1 basketball shoes are reminiscent of an era that has not gone away in popularity. There is a debate over whether these shoes ever really went out of style. But one thing is for sure; Nike and Adidas shoes are highly popular today.

Many people have a hard time deciding which of these they actually want to wear. They are both very trendy in their own way and look best with different types of clothing. Because we just love these sneakers, we have created this Adidas Superstar vs Nike Air Force 1 comparison. Here, you will find a bit about what makes these shoes so popular and why one might want to purchase one over the other.

Related: Nike Air Force 1 vs Adidas Stan Smith: History and Features

A Bit of History

The Adidas Superstar shoe has been around for over 40 years and has gathered quite a following. It was originally created in 1969 and sold as a basketball training shoe. It features a rubber toe that is meant to protect the shoes from getting worn down when engaged in a sport. Eventually, Adidas Superstars hit the scenes of New York with breakdancers and the group called Run-D.M.C.

The Nike Air Force 1 were also created for the basketball scene. Ever since its inception over 30 years ago, several thousand versions of it have been created. The most iconic of these versions is the white-on-white Air Force 1 with the military boot style ‘mid’ ankle. Part of the folklore of the Nike Air Force 1 is that they were originally created in 1982, but were discontinued because they were not popular enough. It is reported that they made a resurgence 4 years later and were so popular that they stayed in production to this day. Like the Adidas Superstar, the Nike Air Force 1 shoes were also iconic as streetwear.

Which Shoes Should I Wear?

Most people who wear one of these shoe models are going for a particular about the look and style. Some wear them for nostalgic reasons, while others are simply concerned about the way they look. Both are attractive shoes, and they are versatile enough in their style that they can be worn with a variety of clothing.

adidas Originals mens Super Star Sneaker, White/Black/White, 11 US
Adidas Superstar’s Serrated 3-Stripe® pattern

The Adidas Superstar comes with its iconic black triple stripes and golden accents. But many more versions have been created to accommodate for different tastes. The Superstar shoe for men is often worn by women, as it does have a unisex appeal. But there are also female-specific versions of the Superstar. For example, one of the female versions features fuzzy purple stripes, while another features a golden tip. To see a broad range of female-specific Adidas Superstars, please see here on Amazon.

The most iconic Nike Air Force 1 version features a military boot style with a velcro closure around the ankles. But there is also a version that is as low as the Adidas Superstar. The classic look for the Air Force 1 is the white-on-white version. They are also others in various colors.

The Versatility of the Adidas Superstar vs the Nike Air Force 1

Nike Mens Air Force 1 Basketball Shoe
Nike’s Air Force 1 basketball shoes has a unique sporty design.

The Adidas Superstar shoe might be considered the most versatile of the two. Because it has a more basic look then the high-ankled Nike Air Force 1, it can be worn with a greater variety of clothing and still look good.

For example, the Adidas Superstar looks great with skinny jeans and even regular jeans. Women could even wear the use with leggings. If you wanted to go for the Run-D.M.C. look, you could wear the Adidas Superstar shoes with joggers.

The Nike Air Force 1 shoe does look good with joggers, as well as shorts. But it would look kind of strange with a pair of skinny jeans, and skinny jeans tend to be stylish these days.

Price Comparison

It is difficult to compare prices when there are so many versions of each shoe. But if you would like to see a few of the lowest prices at a glance, please follow the links below:

The Verdict

As you may already know, the Adidas Superstar and the Nike Air Force 1 both have a cult following. They have been popular for decades and are not set to go out of style anytime soon. The Adidas Superstar seems to be the shoe that people feel looks the most attractive, but some are still particular to their Nike Air Force 1.

If you have a preference for one over the other, please don’t hesitate to leave us a comment below. We love hearing from our visitors!

Leave a Comment