adidas Stan Smith runners

Stan Smith

In the 1960s, adidas produced an innovative leather tennis shoe designed for durability and comfort. The popular silhouette was originally endorsed by French player Robert Haillet, but after he retired in 1971, it needed a new star. So, in 1973, the brand partnered with one of the world’s best players in American Grand Slam winner Stan Smith. For a while, the shoe carried both men’s names, but in 1978, it officially became the adidas Stan Smith and has remained so to this day.

The Stan Smith’s upper is made from high-quality full-grain leather, with intricate stitching and distinctive perforated 3-Stripes on the flanks. Its curving heel tab, which nods to Smith’s legendary moustache, supports the Achilles, while its thin tongue ensures a sleek, lightweight build. Reinforced rings bolster the eyelets of the reliable lacing system, producing firm lockdown, and the inner lining matches the smooth leather of the outer for a soft, silky fit.

The adidas Stan Smith is founded upon a durable rubber cupsole whose slim, low-profile design is as comfortable as it is stylish. Rows of circular grip pads cover the entire outsole, and its thick, textured edge delivers solid all-round traction. Meanwhile, an Ortholite sockliner keeps things plush and comfortable underfoot.

Clean and minimalist, the Stan Smith is a versatile shoe with a refined look. Its name appears on the heel tab alongside a Trefoil and again on the tongue, where it is joined by Stan Smith’s signature and a printed portrait. This characteristic feature generates a singular style, as do the elegant perforated sidewall logos. Further adidas Trefoil branding decorates the lateral heel and the outsole, completing the shoe’s stripped-back detailing and classy style.

Following its run as a popular tennis shoe, the adidas Stan Smith became a beloved off-court sneaker, achieving record-breaking success around the world. Since joining the adidas Originals series, which celebrates heritage models, it has gone from strength to strength, especially after its 40th anniversary relaunch in 2013. It was adopted by a high-fashion audience after being worn by English designer Phoebe Philo at the Céline Spring 2015 show and appearing in an elegant, female-focused campaign curated by fashion photographer Bella Howard and stylist Pandora Lennard. Soon, other influential celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss were wearing it, further enhancing its global popularity.

Collaborations also became a key part of the silhouette’s modern success, with the 2019 collection from Belgian fashion designer Raf Simons and a Disney series decorated in characters such as Kermit the Frog, Yoda and The Hulk being particularly memorable. Multiple variants have been created, including the Mule, skater- and golf-friendly versions, those with elevated and vulcanised soles, slimline editions such as the Stan Smith Lo Pro, elegant sneakers like Yohji Yamamoto’s Y-3 and the Lux, the fully collapsible Decon, and models made from recycled materials.

The adidas Stan Smith’s impact on tennis, fashion and culture has spanned over five decades as its timeless look and suave charisma have made it nothing less than a sporting and style icon.