Step back in time with the adidas Forum '84

In modern times, the adidas Forum has experienced a remarkable resurgence in popularity thanks in part to the revival of retro basketball silhouettes. But before we dive into the present, let's take a step back in time and rewind the clock to 1983.

Off the Hook for adidas Forum

OFF THE HOOK FOR ADIDAS // SHOT BY MATTHEW KHALILI

Back then, Converse Chucks were the undisputed kings of the basketball court. Despite adidas already having a top-tier basketball shoe endorsed by the NBA's top 10 players, one man, adidas sneaker designer Jacques Chassaing, was on a relentless quest for perfection.

For months, Chassaing immersed himself in games and practices, engaging in in-depth conversations (or what you might call forums) with team coaches and players. His goal? To gather a treasure trove of feedback for his upcoming design. Recognizing the diversity among athletes, from their roles on the court to their unique physical attributes, Chassaing zeroed in on a critical weakness in the sneakers of the time—the ankle support.

LEFT: JACQUES CHASSAING (IMAGE VIA VIEWS) // RIGHT: RETRO ADIDAS FORUM ADVERT

Drawing inspiration from the same bands that physiotherapists used to stabilize ankles during sprain treatments, Chassaing ingeniously birthed the "Criss-Cross Ankle System." This innovative feature became the backbone of the adidas Forum. Building upon this foundation, he incorporated a groundbreaking shock absorption technology, the "Dellinger Web," and added an adjustable Velcro strap to provide further ankle security. In 1984, the adidas Forum was unleashed upon the world, boasting a previously unheard-of price tag of $100, effectively earning the title of the most expensive basketball shoe in history at that time. Coincidentally, that same year, a rookie by the name of Michael Jordan began to make waves while wearing a pair of Forums during the Olympic USA Trials—a moment that would go down in history.

Throughout the '80s and into the early '90s, the Forum enjoyed immense popularity as adidas introduced mid and low-top variations of the shoe. However, as new silhouettes like the Superstar and Samba joined the adidas lineup, the Forum's popularity gradually waned.

Fast forward to the present day, and the adidas Forum is making a triumphant return. Thanks to strategic collaborations with contemporary tastemakers like Bad Bunny, this iconic sneaker is being reintroduced to an entirely new generation of sneaker enthusiasts offering up legendary style, for a new era.