In a time when every brand is racing to define the next big innovation in a culture as inherently slow-evolving as skateboarding, sometimes the smartest move is to look back, not forward. Lately, we’re seeing a wave of iconic models return from the vaults: DC’s Kalis, éS’s Accel, and iPath’s Cats are all making comebacks. Even Nike just revived the P-Rod 1s after 20 years. For legacy sports brands, it’s almost too easy. They’ve got archives that span decades, sometimes even a century (looking at you, Converse).
The point is: in the era of futuristic foams and space-age silhouettes, sometimes the real flex is simplicity. A clean, well-built, no-frills skate shoe can still make the biggest impact. Adidas proved this last year with the wildly successful revival of the Samba. Now, they’re digging deeper into their archives, not just across lifestyle and basketball, but in skateboarding too. Just last week, they dropped the adidas Kobe 2s – and earlier this year, they brought back the adidas Superskate.
What stood out to our editors wasn’t just the throwback appeal – it was the honesty of the design. It looks like a shoe built to skate. No gimmicks. No flash. Just function. And here’s the kicker: the Superskate wasn’t just inspired by skateboarding, it was adidas’ first skateboarding-specific shoe, originally released in 1979. For context, Vans began seriously targeting skaters with their product in the mid-70s, so Adidas wasn’t far behind.
This reissue not only reminds us of adidas’ long-standing (but often overlooked) presence in skate culture but it also raises a big question: can this vintage silhouette hold up to modern skateboarding’s demands?
We laced up a pair to find out. Read on for the full review.
The Adidas Superskate fits true to size.
The adidas Superskate impressed us with its overall durability. Key stress areas like the sole, heel collar, laces, and eyelets are typically the first to show wear, but the Superskate held up remarkably well. Notably, the panel that houses the eyelets is reinforced with extra stitching, which proved highly effective in boosting durability.
The double-stitched suede toe panel also performed well, showing minimal wear thanks to the sole taking most of the impact. The only area that showed some breakdown was the Ollie zone, where the seam connecting the main suede panel to the toe panel began to rip. That said, even with the stitching compromised, the panels stayed intact and didn’t negatively affect performance.
The adidas Superskate offers average cushioning. One of our editors did note some heel impact after a session after skating some stairs, but overall, the shoe held up well. It features a thin cupsole with a blue EVA foam wedge under the heel and midfoot, topped with an EVA sockliner for added comfort.
While the foam wedge is the primary source of impact protection, the mid-top cut also contributes to a secure and stable feel. In our wear test, this setup performed consistently, effectively absorbing low to medium impacts without compromising board feel.
The adidas Superskate features a slim silhouette with minimal tongue padding. The toe area is clean and classic, while more subtle technical design elements are found around the midfoot and heel. From a top-down view, the shoe appears quite narrow, but it finishes with a slightly rounder toe than expected. Whether this shape suits your skating style ultimately comes down to personal preference.
From a sole construction standpoint, the adidas Superskate checks all the boxes for solid boardfeel. The thin forefoot minimizes the material between your foot and the board, delivering immediate responsiveness. Surprisingly for a cupsole, there was no break-in period; the boardfeel was dialed in from the very first session and remained consistent throughout our 10-hour wear test.
The cupsole strikes a nice balance: soft enough for good grip, yet firm enough to hold up over time. The outsole features a herringbone tread in the critical forefoot area, with smaller hexagonal patterns covering the rest. This combination provided reliable grip without any blowout spots, making the Superskate’s traction both durable and dependable.
When it comes to comfort, the adidas Superskate delivers a secure, locked-in feel. The silhouette offers excellent foothold, and on the board, the shoe feels snug and supportive. A standout bonus: it’s surprisingly lightweight. For skaters who typically avoid high-tops, the Superskate’s lighter build, slightly looser fit around the upper ankle, and balanced support make it feel more like a low-top in certain ways.
During our wear test, the shoe didn’t cause any pressure points from internal stitching. However, if you have wider feet, it’s worth trying on in-store to ensure the fit is right. One small note: the tongue isn’t anchored with internal straps, so it tends to shift around while skating.
In terms of stability, the mid-top design wraps the ankle well, offering a solid, supportive feel. Material choices also play a role; the combination of suede in the flick zones and leather for structure proved effective. After 10 hours of skating, the Superskate maintained its shape and delivered consistent, reliable support.
The adidas Superskate delivers strong stability, durability, and boardfeel, but its cushioning is fairly average, and both grip and comfort require a bit of adjustment time.
