About

adidas Stan Smith

On almost every adidas there are three stripes. On this one there aren’t. Look at the side panel and you see three rows of holes where other models have bands — and that isn’t a cost cut but the whole idea behind the shoe.

Stripes that exist only as holes

On a tennis court ventilation mattered, and stitched bands made a shoe heavier and warmer. By executing the stripes as perforations the mark stayed visible while the shoe could breathe. The result is the most reduced form in which adidas has ever depicted itself: you recognize the pattern, but there is nothing there.

A name instead of a logo

Where on other models the brand sits on the side, here the name of a tennis player is printed, traditionally with his portrait on the tongue. The model initially existed under another player’s name and received his in the 1970s. That a shoe is sold for decades under a person’s name rather than a brand has remained almost unique in this industry.

Everything that was unnecessary is gone

The leather is smooth and nearly seamless, the sole is flat, and the only color accent is on the heel tab. On the sole sidewall the brand name and the trefoil are in relief, low enough not to stand out. Within adidas this is the opposite of the Superstar with its armored toe, and the calmer neighbour of the Gazelle; the broader story is on the adidas Court page. A monster that presents itself as nothing.

On this page you can see which versions of the adidas Stan Smith are currently hottest according to the Hypescore, from which price they can be found and in how many shops they are in stock.