The History of the adidas Forum
Designed by Jacques Chassaing, the adidas Forum was released in 1984 as a high-top basketball sneaker. That same year, Michael Jordan discovered the Forum.
Although he wasn’t playing in the NBA yet, he achieved MVP status at the US Olympic Games while wearing the sneakers. This paved the way for the Forum, which went on to become one of the most important basketball silhouettes of the 80s.
Its stand-out feature is its criss-cross ankle strap, which provides extra support and stability, making it ideal for the demands of the basketball court. It also has a padded collar and an innovative Dellinger Web midsole for superior cushioning and shock absorption.
This ‘Web’ is a nylon netting placed within the foam midsole, working to distribute the impact of each step more evenly throughout the sole.
The Forum entered the world of fashion and streetwear in the 90s, with its bold and chunky silhouette becoming a statement piece in hip-hop culture.
Due to its versatility and modest price tag, the Forum became an integral part of subcultures around the world – breakdancers, dirt bikers, skaters, and sneakerheads all embraced the Forum.
It’s become more popular than ever in recent years, the growing nostalgia for retro sneakers adding to its resurgence in the 2020s.
adidas Forum: Answering Your Questions
Did Michael Jordan wear adidas Forum?
Michael Jordan wore the adidas Forum when he achieved MVP status at the US Olympic Games, before he played in the NBA and before his famous contract with Nike brought about the Air Jordan.
Is the adidas Forum a basketball shoe?
The adidas Forum was originally designed as a basketball shoe, but since the 90s it has also made its way into the streetwear scene, popular with everyone from skaters to the casual wearer.
Can you skate in adidas Forum?
Because of its modest price tag, versatility, high-cut padded collar and superior cushioning and shock absorption, the adidas Forum is an ideal sneaker to skateboard in.
Is the adidas Forum made from leather?
A regular adidas Forum sneaker is constructed from a premium leather upper with a soft textile lining and a rubber outsole. Some versions may include suede, mesh, and other textile materials.
Are adidas Forum vegan?
Most adidas Forum sneakers are not vegan, due to their leather or suede construction. Make sure to check the product details for material specifications if you’re looking for a vegan option.
Do adidas Forum stretch?
adidas Forum may stretch slightly over time if they’re made from leather, however versions made from textile or synthetic materials won’t stretch as much.
Are adidas Forum waterproof?
adidas Forum are generally not waterproof. GORE-TEX versions of the model exist, however, which are designed to be waterproof.
Are adidas Forum breathable?
adidas Forums with a leather upper only offer moderate breathability. If this is your priority, consider other models with a Primeknit upper like the Ultraboost or NMD. The Adizero and Climacool are also designed with breathability in mind.
Are adidas Forum comfortable?
adidas Forum contain cushioned midsoles and padded collars, providing decent support and comfort for casual wear, but they might not be ideal for long periods of standing or walking.
Does the adidas Forum fit true to size?
The adidas Forum is known to fit true to size, however the forefoot can be slightly snug, so if you have wider feet, you may want to size up half a size.
How do you style the adidas Forum?
The adidas Forum has a versatile look that goes well with different outfits. For inspiration on styling the model, check out the article here!
How do you tie the adidas Forum?
For guidance on tying your Forum laces, check out our Ultimate Sneakerjagers Lacing Guide!
How can I clean my adidas Forum?
An adidas Forum is best cleaned by hand. For the best results, remove the laces, then use a toothbrush to remove obvious dirt from the surface. Mix a mild detergent with some water, and use a sponge or cloth to gently scrub harder stains, or for suede, use a suede brush (water can damage suede). Use a damp cloth to wipe off the residue, then let them air-dry.
For a smelly sneaker, you can sprinkle baking soda inside the shoe, then leave overnight. The powder will absorb moisture and neutralise the smell. Shake out the excess before wearing again. Alternatively, you can use silica gel or activated charcoal bags for the same results.
Laces can be cleaned with a mild detergent and rinsed afterwards, or you can put white laces in a 1:5 bleach and water solution for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
In addition, we do not recommend putting your shoes in the washing machine. Sneakers made of leather and suede can come out damaged. With shoes made of canvas or cotton, the risk is less, but the chance of damaged sneakers remains. So we recommend always washing your sneakers by hand. If you do put them in the washing machine, then place the shoes in an old pillowcase beforehand.
Where can I buy adidas Forum?
Do you have your eye on this model? With our sneaker search engine, you can browse the adidas Forum at different retailers and at different prices. Our release calendar also keeps you up to date on Forum restocks and new releases!
Notable adidas Forum Collaborations
adidas Forum x Bad Bunny
Inspired by the Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny’s favourite morning coffee, ‘The First Café’ was a stylish yet down-to-earth collaboration with a brown and wheat colorway.
Released in 2021, it was built with a mix of materials including leather, suede and canvas. The sneaker combined both skate and hiking aesthetics with a double tongue, removable buckle on the collar, and an extra heel piece with a bungee kick.
The ‘Easter Egg’ followed shortly afterwards, its release coinciding with Easter Sunday. The pastel pink colorway was a fan favourite for its vibrant and playful design.
adidas Forum x Jeremy Scott
Jeremy Scott, known for his pop-culture-inspired designs, brought his signature maximalist style to the adidas Forum in 2021 with the ‘Wings 4.0’, an update of the original release seen in the early 2000s.
The modern, streamlined design featured large wing attachments for a unique look, which was replicated on the ‘Money’ that came out shortly afterwards with an all-over money print.
A year later in 2022, Scott dropped another collection with adidas, coating six Forums in a glossy, single-colour polyurethane for a ‘Dipped’ appearance. ‘Solar Yellow’, ‘Aqua’, ‘Blue’, ‘Orange’, ‘Dark Grey’ and ‘Solar Pink’ all made a splash when they dropped.
adidas Forum x Kerwin Frost
Another standout collaboration from 2021 was the Kerwin Frost x adidas Forum. Known for his fearless fashion sense, Frost’s bold design is more of a work of art than a sneaker!
With exaggerated, sculpted facial features including eyes, a nose, and teeth, the idea was to create a humorous, surreal human face on a sneaker.
adidas Forum x M&M’s
In April 2022, adidas and M&M’s released six colorways on the Forum, representing each colour of M&M’s – ‘Red’, ‘Blue’, ‘Green’, ‘Orange’, ‘Brown’ and ‘Yellow’.
Special touches on the collaboration included grooved Three-Stripe branding that mimicked the edges of M&M’s packaging, a peanut-coloured lining, and a graphic on the insole.
Variations of the adidas Forum
adidas Forum Low
The Low-Top version of the adidas Forum keeps the essential Forum elements, like the strap, but strips down the design to a more laid-back, everyday look.
Still keeping a retro aesthetic, collaborations on the Low with Bad Bunny and other celebrities have increased the model’s popularity.
adidas Forum Mid
The adidas Forum Mid is the perfect middle ground between the High and Low, providing some ankle support while doing away with some of the bulkiness of the high-top.
It’s an ideal silhouette for those who want a sporty look but with a more casual feel.
adidas Forum High
The original adidas Forum silhouette, the High-Top version was specifically designed for basketball, its padded ankle collar and criss-cross ankle strap providing additional support.
While initially a performance shoe, the Forum High is now often styled in streetwear looks.
adidas Forum Bold
The Forum Bold adds an elevated platform sole for added height and a more modern aesthetic.
It’s designed more as a lifestyle sneaker than a basketball shoe, perfect for those looking to stand out.
adidas Forum Exhibit
The Forum Exhibit is a more experimental design of the original silhouette, the modernised look including deconstructed panels, unique materials and vibrant colorways.
It’s often used for collaborations and limited releases because of its unique style.
Popular adidas Forum colorways
adidas have released many successful colorways on the Forum, and these are some of the most popular and all-time favourites.
adidas Forum Mid ‘White/Blue’ | FY4976
A timeless take on the silhouette, the ‘White/Blue’ reflects the original colorway of the Forum on a mid version.
The clean white leather upper with striking royal blue accents retains that classic retro aesthetic for a wardrobe staple.
adidas Forum Low ‘White’ | FY7755
The ‘White’ version of the adidas Forum comes in a low-cut silhouette, capturing the essence of classic basketball style in a lifestyle sneaker.
The clean white leather upper offers a minimalist look to combine with any outfit, perfect for everyday wear.
Kasina x adidas Forum 84 Low 'Off White' - Consortium Cup | ID2908
The ‘Off White’ is a collaboration that combines rich adidas heritage with the design vision of South Korean streetwear brand Kasina.
The off-white leather upper with earth-toned accents are elevated by metallic gold branding, premium materials including suede, and a vintage-inspired design.
adidas Forum Bold ‘Cloud White/Court Green/Sky Rush’ | JI0062
A fresh and vibrant take on the original silhouette, this Forum Bold combines vibrant Court Green and Sky Rush accents with a clean white leather upper for an eye-catching design.
A women’s-only release, this colorway maintains its signature Forum elements, but with a chunkier midsole for an elevated look.
BSTN x adidas Forum 84 Low ‘Pana’ | GX6804
With green accents representing the Greek Panathinaikos Basketball Club, the ‘Pana’ is all about celebrating European basketball teams.
A mix of premium leather and suede make up the upper of this sneaker, with deep brown and green hues evoking cultural heritage. BSTN have also added subtle gold accents in the branding.
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