The 16 Best Adidas Shoes You Should Know—and Own

Ultraboost is a tried-and-tested line by Adidas with a winning streak of making some of the best running shoes. The newest Ultraboost 23, also known as Ultraboost Light, has received nothing but rave reviews since its release. It’s the lightest, springiest model thus far, yielding high rebound with Light Boost™ cushioning, high all-terrain traction with Continental™ Rubber outsole, and high breathability with a knit upper. Its heel is also built to keep you moving forward and not slow you down, whether you’re walking, jumping, striding, or training.

No matter how far you’ve strolled, these sporty slip-on shoes will never tire out your feet. They’re built with Cloudfoam cushioning that can make you feel like walking on air, and a soft stretchy textile upper that fits like a glove. Inspired by runners, you can also wear them as trainers for the gym or do a light jog in them.

Originally introduced in 1969 as low-top basketball shoes to compete with Converse’s, the Superstar has now officially earned its plaque in the Footwear Walk of Fame—if there ever is one. Changing the game of hip-hop, skateboarding, and overall streetwear sneakers since its debut, the Superstar just keeps getting better with more stylish colorways. As a staple in fashion, we doubt these sneakers will ever be out of style.

Tread into the great outdoors with Adidas's award-winning trail running shoes. Really, these runners can take on all terrain conditions, on- or off-road, and the signature Lightstrike cushioning in the responsive midsole even provides energy return to keep you going further—and faster. The rubber outsole with a mind-blowing grip can provide traction and buffer for even the bumpiest ride, wet or dry.

Whether it’s hypertrophy or strength training, these weightlifting shoes can keep the pumps going with a wide, sturdy base that stabilizes your footing, and a perforated upper that keeps your feet feeling cool so you can really focus on the weights. On top of that, the bottom is designed to help direct force into your lifts, while the lace and strap closure adds even more stability to safety-proof your training. Despite a beginner-friendly low-heel elevation, you can surely lift like an Olympian in Powerlift 5.

These are actually cycling shoes moonlighting as casual shoes. Donning the silhouette and design of Adidas’s OG Samba Classic, the Velosamba is specially treated with cycling trappings—a two-bolt cleat, and a full-length reinforced midsole—that make pedaling super efficient but also make walking much more comfortable. Coated with water resistance too, these can be your go-to commute shoes whenever you’re out for a ride or a walk.

These waterproof shoes have all the credentials you’ll need in a pair of solid hiking shoes. The fabric is armored with GORE-TEX to be waterproof, windproof, and breathable—not to mention abrasion-resistant. Coupled with a Continental™ rubber outsole that grips at every step of the way, no matter the road condition, you get a weather-be-damned design. Comfort-wise, you have Adidas’s signature BOOST cushioning that provides light energy return and a molded toe cap for a better fit.

Another Adidas shoe style that’s become synonymous with the brand is the Stan Smith. Birthed in 1963 as a pair of tennis shoes, it’s one of the very few Adidas sneakers that do not sport the iconic three-striped design—instead, that motif is replaced by three rows of ventilation holes.

We suspect that the reason why Stan Smiths have been so popular is because of its top-notch comfort, a leather upper that easily molds to your feet, and a style that just works. With minimal brand but maximal history, this best-selling Adidas shoe is as iconic today as it was six decades ago, especially the white-and-green colorway.

As one of the first retro sneakers (dating back to the ‘60s) that would later define the entire mania and even generations sneakers, the Gazelle screams everything that’s recognizable about Adidas, namely the suede-meets-three-stripes design that the model pioneered. Born as a pair of soccer shoes, the latest reiteration now feels extra ‘90s yet timeless-looking.

There’s no athletic shoe style more versatile than cross-training shoes—by definition, they’re shoes that can cater to different types of exercises. Adidas’s training shoes, in addition, bring comfort and support to a variety of training and workouts, with a stiff heel that keeps you surefooted during weightlifting, and a soft forefoot that aids your movements while you do cardio.

These are some fearless-looking shoes for a bold display of style and personality. The Forum helped shaped the basketball culture in the 1980s, but its sartorial influence can be felt decades later, like right now. From the timeless high-top profile to the contrast color ways to the overall laid-back vibe, these streetwear kicks really make a statement.

We know that Adidas is known for innovation in performance footwear, but the 4DFWD has really colored us amazed. These runners not only look futuristic, but they also don cutting-edge tech that’ll sprint you right into the next decade. The 3D-printed midsole lets you feel how it compresses and transform impact energy into momentum to your feet when you run, and the PRIMEKNIT upper has a flexible fit that won’t get in the way of your motion. No wonder it won big at our 2021 Sneaker Awards.

Light, responsive, and tough, these trail running shoes can move you forward, no matter the terrain and road condition, with a gusseted tongue that keeps the debris out and a TPU rock protection layer in the midsole. If you’re moving fast, the Lightstrike cushioning and grippy outsole will make sure you’re also moving steadily.

The second edition of NBA star Trae Young’s signature shoes retains the swanky outsole designer of the predecessor, but ups the ante on agility and speed with the responsive BOOST cushioning and the energy-returning Lightstrike midsole. The result is a pair of dynamic slip-on shoes that can support you on or off the court.

As one of the best stability running shoes out there, these everyday runners will ensure you’ll never stumble like a roly-poly toy whenever you’re on the move. You can expect solid energy return thanks to the responsive cushioning in the midsole, and high momentum thanks to the Linear Energy Push 2.0 system that propels you forward while keeping you stable. And the grippy outsole lets you really pound the ground. For ramping up your distance, these are the best.

“Felt like I was walking around in a pair of slippers,” says one review on adidas.com. And we’re compelled to agree. These golf shoes feature a breathable mesh (i.e., they make great summer shoes too) and bouncy cushioning. Its spikeless design will keep you surefooted, and the grippy outsole is walking-friendly too. At this price, in this neat style, if you can’t make par in it, it’s not the shoes’ fault.