Adidas
Adidas Forum High
The 1984 basketball high-top that put an ankle strap on the global stage
Year Released
1984
Designer
Jacques Chassaing
Silhouette
High
Category
Basketball
About
The Adidas Forum High debuted in 1984 as Adidas's premier basketball shoe. Designed by French designer Jacques Chassaing following extensive consultation with professional basketball players, the Forum High introduced a revolutionary criss-cross ankle strap system engineered to stabilize the foot during play. The original design combined performance support with a distinctive visual identity built around the high-top silhouette and prominent ankle strap — a first for the company, which later introduced a low-top version as a companion model. Before signing his iconic deal with Nike, Michael Jordan wore Adidas Forum sneakers during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, a testament to the Forum's standing at the peak of basketball culture. Beyond the hardwood, the shoe gained traction among skateboarders drawn to its grip and ankle support, extending its cultural footprint well beyond the court. Adidas revived the Forum under its Originals label in 2020, with the high-top quickly becoming a streetwear centrepiece. The relaunch generated a collaboration with Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny. Variants including the Forum CL, the skateboarding-focused Forum ADV, and the 2025 Forum 2000 have extended the franchise's reach into the contemporary sneaker market.
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