The adidas Top Ten has made another comeback this year, making it a good time to get a closer look and review its features. The Top Ten was first released in 1979, being one of first performance basketball shoes ever released, before the Adidas Rivalry, Air Jordan 1 or the New Balance 650. With his high top silhouette, cushioning and lock around the ankles, it became a favorite among NBA players and across the world. Like most of its era it was quickly absorbed into urban culture and became an iconic sneaker worn by many rap singers and celebrities. This style made an official comeback in 2014 as a casual sneaker and it became a regular on adidas lineup of retro styles along with the Superstar, Gazelle, Campus or the Forum.
How They Fit
This spring we got this hi top with Team USA vibes. While not officially associated with the US team it so happens to arrive just in time for the Beijing Olympics in this white, navy and red color scheme. Out of the box the shoes feel lightweight and solid, on feet the first time feel as they may need a bit of time to break them in, especially if you have slightly wider feet like I do. If still in doubt about your size you can always check out our Adidas shoes size chart.
Upper
The upper of the adidas Top Ten is made of leather with suede overlays in the toebox area. There is cushioning in the ankle area and the tongue that does not add much weight. The tongue is not secured in place with any straps , a feature that retro shoes often have. But it’s easy to stick out the tongue to go over your jeans for that old school look. The toebox area is perforated, another signature design part of classic shoes that adds some air flow in. The construction is perfect for a shoe that one would wear during the fall or spring, with the leather providing some protection from the cold and even wet conditions.
Sole Unit
The sole unit is made of solid rubber reinforced by a stitching that goes all around the midsole. This is quite a flat shoe that offers basic arch support , enough for many looking for a casual shoe. There is the classic removable EVA insole that provides some additional cushioning. They are certainly not made to stand up for long hours. They make a great back to school shoe as they are solid and they can even be used for occasional sports like basketball or skateboarding. Overall they are a very comfortable sneaker once you break them in.
Bottom Line
All in all, to end my adidas Top Ten review, this is a sneaker that shines with its unique looks and retro vibes. While way behind in technology compared to its contemporary counterparts in terms of basketball shoes, this is still a very appreciated casual shoe. Like many other retros it has been an inspiration for creating many new styles like the Hoops series. The adidas brand seems to capitalize on this silhouette once again with a large array of versions available on the market at the beginning of this year, much like the adidas Forum that we’ve taken a closer look at recently.
The Adidas Top Ten Hi Team USA has a retail price of $90 and it can be purchased from multiple retailers including on eBay.
