Audience verdict

93
Great!

Who should buy

The shell-toed Adidas Superstar is definitely for sneaker fans who are:

  • Into classic designs that never go out of style.
  • Looking for an on-the-go sneaker that can be paired with a wide assortment of styles.
  • On a hunt for cosy footwear suitable for all-day use.
  • Searching for fashionable yet affordable trainers that don't break the bank.

Who should NOT buy

The shoe feels quite stiff when it’s fresh out of the box and needs a few wears before it breaks in.

For a shoe that’s comfy right away, we recommend considering the other classic from Adidas; the Gazelle

Adidas Superstar

Breathability

To test the breathability of the Superstar, we pumped the shoe full of smoke. Typically leather shoes don’t perform very well but the Superstar somewhat surpasses expectations with a steady stream of smoke coming out of the tongue. This isn’t incredible and earns the shoe a run-of-the-mill score of 3 out of 5 for breathability. 

Compare that to the extremely airy Puma RS-X which earned a perfect breathability score. 

As we can see from inspecting a backlit cross-section of the Superstar’s upper, the only areas light can shine through are the small holes along the side of the shoe and a little bit through the tongue. Without these, the shoe would be a real toaster.

Test results
Superstar 3
Average 3.1
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Leather/Suede quality

We gave the Superstar the creme brulee treatment, burning and scratching the different parts of the upper to test whether the materials were genuine.

The main leather portion of the shoe proved to be real leather which only got scorched. The Colored overlay at the heel, however, is clearly synthetic and just melted under the heat. 

Adidas Superstar Leather/Suede quality
Test results
Superstar Real leather

Toebox durability

To test the durability of the Superstar’s fortified toebox, we fired up our Dremel to 5K RPM and applied it to the shoe with 3.2N of force. Beyond casting aside strangely dark flecks of dust (considering it’s a white shoe), our tool seems to have little effect on the toebox. 

Inspecting the aftermath of the four-second test, it seems our Dremel was only able to smooth out the lattice pattern that lines the rubber toebox. This tank-like performance earns the Superstar a perfect 5 out of 5 for toebox durability.

Adidas Superstar Toebox durability
Test results
Superstar 5
Average 3.6
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

Turning our attention to the heel collar, we unleashed our Dremel on the Superstar again where it proved to be much more effective. The tool’s grinding element immediately rips into the lining material and starts sending bits of padding flying hither and yon. 

While the Dremel did inflict substantial damage on the heel counter, some padding did manage to survive which leads us to give the Superstar a heel padding durability score of 2 out of 5.

Test results
Superstar 2
Average 3.3
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

We pressed our durometer against the Superstar’s outsole and got an average reading of 85 HC. This level of hardness usually denotes a good mix of durability and grip. 

Adidas Superstar Outsole hardness
Test results
Superstar 85.0 HC
Average 85.1 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
72.9 HC
Outsole hardness
90.3 HC

Outsole durability

This time spinning at 10K RPM, we set our Dremel against the Superstar’s outsole for a total of twenty seconds. 

Afterward, we assessed the damage with our tire tread gauge and found that we had lopped off 1.19 mm of rubber, essentially smoothing out the existing tread pattern. This falls in line with our current lab average which leads us to predict that it will take 400 to 500 miles of use before the shoe’s traction is compromised.

Test results
Superstar 1.2 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

We measured the outsole to be right around average at 5 mm thick. While some might argue that we should measure the whole rubber piece as the outsole, we contend that once we wear through to the cutout portions at the heel, the shoe is surely cooked. 

Adidas Superstar Outsole thickness
Test results
Superstar 5.5 mm
Average 5.5 mm
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
3.4 mm
Outsole thickness
8.2 mm

Weight

Tipping the scale at 14.2 oz, the Superstar falls right within the average range for sneakers we’ve tested in the lab so far. 

Adidas Superstar Weight
Test results
Superstar 14.14 oz (401g)
Average 14.04 oz (398g)
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
10.62 oz (301g)
Weight
22.61 oz (641g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

Using our caliper, we measured the Superstar’s stack to be 26.8 mm at the heel. While shorter than our current lab average it still provides a solid level of cushioning and protection from the ground below. 

Adidas Superstar heel\

This is thanks in great part to the gaps found in the heel of the outsole which allows it to compress under our weight similar to how a foam midsole would.

Test results
Superstar 26.8 mm
Average 31.3 mm
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
18.7 mm
Heel stack
41.8 mm

Forefoot stack

The Superstar’s forefoot stack is much shorter than our current lab average at only 13.6 mm thick.

Adidas Superstar ekhwvbljkef

This provides us with a good sense of the ground below, thus lending the shoe its natural and well-planted underfoot sensation, while still effectively dampening the impacts of our stride. 

Test results
Superstar 13.6 mm
Average 20.0 mm
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
10.7 mm
Forefoot stack
28.3 mm

Drop

The difference in our stack measurements leaves the Superstar with a rather steep heel drop of 13.6 mm. This is ideal for those who prefer the feeling of an elevated heel when walking. Those who prefer a less drastic offset should consider the also iconic Adidas Samba

Adidas Superstar Drop
Test results
Superstar 13.2 mm
Average 11.2 mm
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
6.7 mm
Drop
17.2 mm

Insole thickness

Despite falling a little shy of our current lab average at 4.4 mm thick, the Superstar’s insole provides us with a nicely padded platform within the shoe. 

Adidas Superstar Insole thickness
Test results
Superstar 4.4 mm
Average 5.4 mm
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
3.1 mm
Insole thickness
13.3 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

The Superstar feels incredibly well-planted as we shift our weight from side to side. This grounded sensation isn’t surprising for such a low-profile shoe and contributes to how natural the shoe feels on the foot. 

Torsional rigidity

We were met with an average level of resistance when bending and twisting the Superstar in our hands, leading us to give it a score of 3 out of 5 on our subjective scale. This presents a healthy mix of support and comfort as the shoe is able to conform with the movements of our foot while still maintaining a relatively level landing platform. 

Test results
Superstar 3
Average 3.5
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

The heel counter has a lot of structure to it which makes it extremely resistant to our manual manipulation. It barely budged as we bent and squeezed at it, earning it a score of 5 out of 5. This factors greatly into the shoe’s stability as it mitigates any excessive lateral rolling during our stride. 

Test results
Superstar 5
Average 3.3
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

We measured the Superstar’s midsole to be 101.2 mm wide at the forefoot which is narrower than our current lab average. This doesn’t present any stability issues thanks to the shoe’s low stack, but rather serves to make the shoe feel light and nimble underfoot. 

Adidas Superstar Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Superstar 101.2 mm
Average 108.9 mm
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
100.0 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
121.0 mm

Midsole width in the heel

The midsole is similarly narrow-than-average at the heel, measuring only 71.8 mm wide. This is quite scant, especially for those used to wearing shoes with more robust platforms like the New Balance 574

Adidas Superstar Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Superstar 71.8 mm
Average 83.4 mm
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
69.4 mm
Midsole width in the heel
103.1 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

We found that 13.8N of force is required to bend the shoe 90 degrees in our stiffness test. This is a pretty flexible result which is right on par with our current lab average and means that the shoe is able to conform with the natural flexion of our foot with ease.

However, we must say that the shoe actually feels quite stiff when fresh out of the box, with a few uses needed before we could fully savor its forgiving pliability.

Adidas Superstar Stiffness
Test results
Superstar 13.8N
Average 23.2N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
5.8N
Stiffness
51.8N

Grip / Traction

The zig-zag tread pattern on the Superstar’s outsole gave us no problems with traction during our test walks. Even wet surfaces were no cause for concern, though we don’t recommend wearing this shoe in the rain as it will damage the genuine leather. 

Adidas Superstar uhkvwkhvhk

Size and fit

Toebox width at the widest part

We measured the Superstar’s toebox to be 98.2 mm wide at its widest point. While this is just shy of our current lab average, the shoe should still accommodate most foot shapes comfortably apart from those that are very broad. 

Adidas Superstar Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
Superstar 97.2 mm
Average 99.3 mm
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
94.0 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
111.2 mm

Toebox width at the big toe

The Superstar’s toebox doesn’t taper as much as the average sneaker, narrowing to 79.9 mm in the area around the big toe. This lends the shoe a much more natural silhouette that gives us plenty of room to splay out as we go about our day.

Adidas Superstar Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
Superstar 79.9 mm
Average 75.9 mm
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
65.7 mm
Toebox width at the big toe
101.3 mm

Tongue: gusset type

The Superstar’s tongue is non-gusseted, though we didn’t experience any slippage thanks to how wide and generously padded it is. 

Adidas Superstar Tongue: gusset type
Test results
Superstar None

Comfort

Tongue padding

At 8.8 mm thick according to our caliper measurements, the Superstar’s tongue is slightly more padded than our current lab average. This not only provides good comfort across our instep but helps in achieving a snug lockdown without any hint of lace bite. 

Adidas Superstar Tongue padding
Test results
Superstar 8.8 mm
Average 8.7 mm
Compared to 35 trainers
Number of shoes
1.0 mm
Tongue padding
23.0 mm

Removable insole

The Superstar’s insole is fully removable, so those in need of custom orthotics for added arch support can use them with this shoe. 

Adidas Superstar Removable insole
Test results
Superstar Yes

Misc

Reflective elements

With no reflective elements whatsoever, this Superstar doesn’t twinkle at night. 

Adidas Superstar Reflective elements
Test results
Superstar No