With so many colorways on the shelves lately it was only a matter of time to review the adidas Forum sneaker, one of the most iconic retro sneakers on the market today. The adidas Forum was first released in 1984 as a basketball shoe, a very advanced one at that time. It preceded the Air Jordan 1 or the New Balance 650 which were both introduced in the sam decade. It was introduced as an alternative to the Top Ten , one of adidas firsts in that department. With its strap above the lacing system it addressed an issue that many players had concerns with, adding the extra ankle support. It was an instant hit, with Michael Jordan wearing them in the practice games for the 1984 Olympics. Just as most retros from the 80’s the shoe has become a street favorite over time, cementing its place in the urban culture. Def Jam celebrated their 25th anniversary with a collab with adidas featuring a special edition Forum pair. Over the years the shoe got a low top version given its evolution from a performance basketball shoe to a fashion sneaker. In terms of iconic retro shoes the Forum is clearly up there with the likes of Superstar, Gazelle or Campus.
How They Fit
We got in stock a pair of Forum Mid in white and red along with the low top white and green ones. Out of the box these look like a very solid shoe that is made to last. They fit true to size.They are a bit narrow as you’d expect from a retro sneaker and they may need a few rides to break them in. If unsure about what size to get you can take a look at the Adidas shoes size chart here.
Upper:
The upper of the adidas Forum is made of a mix of leather and tumbled leather (or suede for the Panda). The multiple overlays with the leather stripes and the leather strap give this sneaker a cool look while reinforcing every part of it and make it a very solid shoe. This makes them a good option for cold weather. The toebox is perforated to get some air in while the collar area and tongue features a nice layer of cushioning. The tongue is not secured on the sides so it may slide to one side occasionally, this being one aspect where adidas wanted to keep it as close to the original.
Sole Unit
The sole unit is made of rubber , with an EVA insole that is not removable (at least for the pair I got). This is quite a flat sneaker which with the solid upper made it a favorite among skateboarders from early on. The sole unit is reinforced by a row of stitching that also adds to its classic looks.It is a setup similar to the adidas Rivalry which was designed by the same person. There is not much arch support so what we’ve concluded during this adidas Forum review is that they are great for casual wear, on activities where you do not have to stand up for long hours. Many wear these at school as they check all boxes, from cool style to comfort and even occasional basketball activities. Given their sturdiness and flat outsole skateboarders have often adapted these to their needs yet if you’re looking for a specializes skate shoe the adidas adi2000 is surely a better choice.
Bottom Line
To conclude my adidas Forum review, this is a sneaker that offers what you’d expect from a retro shoe. For those looking to boost some cool, casual looks these are quite an easy choice. The retail price has been bouncing from $90 – $110 lately which is still a decent price given that you will have these for a while. If still not convinced or looking for a cheaper option, the adidas Hoops Mid 3.0 is a decent choice worth considering.
