adidas Forum history and background.
Retro sneakers have dominated the market for most of sneaker history and the beginning of the 2020s showcased that low-top basketball-turned-lifestyle models were king thanks to the likes of the Nike Dunk Low and New Balance 550. For The Three Stripes, their entry into this market was the revival of the classic 80s silhouette the adidas Forum in its Low, Mid, and High iterations.
Originally released back in 1984, you may be somewhat familiar with the Jacques Chassaing-designed adidas Forum if you’re a big fan of MJ as he often sported a pair of high-tops during his time at UNC and actually preferred the sneaker to many of the products his eventual partners at Nike were offering at the time. The goal of the silhouette was to be worn by all types of players on the hardwood floor and its construction showcases that as its all-leather build and iconic “X-Strap” helped lock players in and provide a durable sneaker during explosive plays. Other details like the exposed Dellinger webbing helped with shock absorption and energy return while also giving a comfortable ride to the wearer.
Its use eventually transitioned outside of the basketball world and was spotted on the streets in the 80s even though it was one of the more premium-priced sneakers at $100 (nearly $300 in 2023 dollars). After other technologies and designs in the footwear industry surpassed the silhouette, the Forum was shelved up until 2009 when famous music label Def Jam released a collaborative pair with adidas to celebrate the model's 25th anniversary. Fast forward to 2020 and the sneaker become a palette for some of The Three Stripes' biggest collaborators and even released in an “84” variant that took on an aged, vintage look.
If you’ve been eyeing a pair of adidas Forums for yourself, you’re in luck as the Sole Retriever adidas Forum Low Buyers Guide should answer all the questions you have about the adidas Forum.
What are the best adidas Forum colorways?
When the adidas Forum was reintroduced to the world one of the first launches was the OG “Bright Blue” colorway that made its way to both the Forum 84 Hi and Forum 84 Low, making it a solid choice for collectors and those who appreciate the historical side of sneakers. Other than this, there have been quite a few hits from the in-house team at adidas like the Forum 84 Low “Hazy Copper” or collegiate-Esque renditions like the “UNC,” “Collegiate Green,” and “Cream Red.”
For collaborative efforts, the most famous Forum model comes courtesy of Reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny who has put his unique touch on the Forum Low Buckle in a variety of colorways including “Cafe,” “Easter Egg,” “Triple Black,” “Blue Tint,” and his final version a “Triple White” colorway. His influence across the world alongside leaning into the chunky sneaker trend made all of these releases instant hits with sneakerheads and fans of Benito alike.
Television and movies have also directly inspired and collaborated with adidas on the Forum Low with the likes of South Park bringing the infamous Eric Cartman and his Awesom-O robot prank to life via the sneaker as well as the Christmas classic “Home Alone” on two separate occasions (one inspired by the pigeon lady and another by the protagonist Kevin). A more recent collab that made waves is the adidas Forum Low “Grinch” which comes as one of the first direct collaborations with Dr. Seuss’ classic character that forever has inspired countless sneakers across the industry. Other IPs that have worked with adidas include M&M’s who released a variety pack of adidas Forum Low colors that directly take their color palette from the colors of the candy, each of which came with a slew of customizable pieces to make your pair stand out amongst the rest.
Taking a more high fashion or avant-garde approach, you can choose the expensive Prada x adidas Forum Low “Black” and “White” as well as a high-top version of both the black and white colorways. These both featured an included pouch attached to the collar for the high-top and the tongue for the low-top as well as premium materials that were sustainability sourced. One collaboration that truly encapsulates an avant-garde sneaker, the Kerwin Frost x adidas Forum Hi, may not be the most wearable sneaker but definitely draws attention whether it's on feet or sitting on display. The use of fake teeth on the sidewall of the toe, a nose on the tongue, and eyes on the laces make many take a step back, and is one of those releases that only a select few can pull off.
What material is the adidas Forum made of?
Typically, your standard adidas Forum (whether Low, Mid, or Hi) will come constructed out of leather across its entire upper with a rubber midsole and outsole encapsulating an EVA cupsole with the aforementioned exposed Dellinger webbing on the medial side of the sole. Although this is what you normally find on the model, we’ve seen The Three Stripes add suede, canvas, nylon, and plenty of typical sneaker materials to the silhouette.
How does the adidas Forum fit?
Across the board whether we’re discussing the adidas Forum Low, Mid, High, or its other iterations, the sneaker fits true to size compared to other models on the market. Select versions like the collaborative Bad Bunny pairs do fit a tad smaller due to the double tongue and extra padding in the heel so going up half a size or even a full size for those with wide feet isn’t a terrible idea, however, to ensure you’re getting the correct size it’s recommended to try a pair on in-store. Considering the hype on the Forum isn’t as crazy as it was when it was first revived, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a pair in-store near you.
How much do adidas Forum cost?
Depending on the cut of the model, whether or not it's a collaboration, and if it is a “special” release will determine how much the silhouette costs. For your standard GR Forum, the pricing is as follows, Forum Lows cost $100 ($110 for the 84 iterations), Forum Mids cost $110, and Forum Highs costs $120 ($130 for the 84 iterations).
Where do I buy the adidas Forum?
Just about every retailer that has an account with The Three Stripes will carry pairs of the adidas Forum. This includes your local retailers like Hibbett, Finish Line, Foot Locker, and specialized boutiques. You can, of course, purchase the sneaker from adidas directly with many of the drops going down on the Confirmed App and a slew of GR options in stock on adidas.com
What’s the hot take?
Those loyal to The Three Stripes or who are looking for an 80s basketball silhouette that doesn’t sell out in seconds will find that the adidas Forum is one of the best models in this category. Solid construction, materials, and comfort levels as well as a slew of hot collaborators and hit GR colorways make it both an everyday option to beat into the ground or a special occasion sneaker that you bust out to turn heads (a la Bad Bunny). If you’re looking to secure a pair of adidas Forums in the near future, make sure you keep it locked to our Twitter and the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more for both adidas Forums and the sneaker world as a whole.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
