You’re walking through a crowded terminal or standing in line for a coffee, and you see them. That distinct silhouette. The three stripes stretching up past the ankle. Adidas men’s high top sneakers have this weird, staying power that defies the usual hype cycle of the "drop of the week."
Honestly? Most guys buy high tops because they want to look like they’ve got their life together without trying too hard. It’s a delicate balance. If you go too chunky, you look like you’re wearing moon boots. Go too sleek, and you’re basically wearing a sock with a sole. Adidas has spent decades—literal decades—trying to find the middle ground between a performance basketball shoe and something you can actually wear to a dinner that doesn't involve paper napkins.
The Forum: A 1984 Relic That Won’t Die
If we’re talking about adidas men’s high top sneakers, we have to start with the Forum. It’s the elephant in the room. Released in 1984, it was the most expensive basketball shoe of its time, retailing for a then-insane $100. Jacques Chassaing, the designer behind it, wasn’t just trying to make a pretty shoe; he was looking at the actual anatomy of a basketball player’s ankle. He saw where the stress points were. He added that iconic "X" strap across the ankle.
Nowadays, people wear the Forum 84 High because it feels "substantial." It’s got that heavy leather that actually creases in a way that looks better with age. You’ve probably seen the "Collegiate Green" or the classic "Cloud White" versions everywhere lately. Why? Because Gen Z rediscovered 80s court culture, but also because the shoe is built like a tank. It’s not a "light" shoe. If you want to feel like you’re walking on clouds, buy an Ultraboost. If you want to feel like your feet are protected from a rogue shopping cart, get the Forum.
The strap is polarizing, though. Some guys let it dangle. Some take it off entirely if the model allows. Most just keep it tight. It’s a look. It’s sort of a "if you know, you know" vibe that separates it from the more ubiquitous Nike Dunk High.
Why the Top Ten Isn't Just for "Old Heads" Anymore
Then there’s the Top Ten. If the Forum is the flashy sibling, the Top Ten is the one that stayed home and got a trade degree. It came out in 1979. It was designed for the ten best players in the NBA at the time. No bells, no whistles, just a padded collar and a perforated toe box.
It’s a narrower fit than the Forum. A bit more "pointy," if that makes sense. For a lot of guys, this is the better entry point into adidas men’s high top sneakers because it doesn’t scream for attention. It’s slim enough to fit under straight-leg jeans without causing that awkward bunching at the hem. Rick Barry was the face of this shoe back in the day, and while you might not be hitting underhanded free throws, the heritage is there. The leather is usually softer right out of the box compared to the stiff Forum.
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The Identity Crisis of the Nizza
Let’s be real: leather isn't for everyone. Sometimes it’s July and your feet are sweating just looking at a pair of Forums. That’s where the Nizza High comes in. It’s basically a canvas vulcanized shoe that decided it wanted to be a high top.
Is it a basketball shoe? Technically, it started that way in the 70s. Is it a basketball shoe now? Absolutely not. Don't try to play a pickup game in Nizzas unless you hate your ACLs. It’s a lifestyle shoe through and through. It competes directly with the Converse Chuck Taylor, but it’s got a wider footbed. If you’ve got wide feet and Chucks feel like a vise grip, the Nizza is your best friend. It’s cheap, it’s canvas, and you can throw it in the wash when it gets gross. It’s the most "honest" shoe Adidas makes.
The Rivalry and the Streetwear Pivot
We can’t ignore the Rivalry High. It’s another 80s beast. Patrick Ewing made it famous. It’s bulky. It’s aggressive. It’s the shoe that probably looks the most like a "sneakerhead" shoe in the entire lineup.
The Rivalry is interesting because it’s seen a massive resurgence through collaborations. When Adidas works with designers like Yohji Yamamoto or even the more accessible "Consortium" runs, the Rivalry is often the canvas. It represents that era of New York basketball where everything was loud and physical. If you’re wearing skinny jeans, stay away from these. You’ll look like a lollipop. You need some volume in your trousers to balance out the sheer mass of a Rivalry High.
What Everyone Gets Wrong About Sizing
Here is the thing no one tells you about Adidas high tops: the sizing is all over the place. You’d think a brand would be consistent, but no.
- Forums: Usually run true to size, but the toe box is shallow. If you have "tall" toes, go up half a size.
- Top Tens: Run long and narrow. If you have narrow feet, you’re golden. If not, prepare for a break-in period that feels like a medieval torture device.
- Nizzas: Run big. Almost everyone I know drops a half size in these.
- Rivalry: True to size, but they are heavy. Like, noticeably heavy.
Materials Matter More Than the Name
Adidas uses a few different grades of leather. If you see "Advanced" or "84" in the name, you’re usually getting a higher-quality, full-grain leather. It feels oily, thick, and premium. If you’re buying the base model from a big-box retailer for $70, you’re getting "coated" leather. It’s basically leather with a thin layer of plastic on top. It stays clean longer, but it doesn't develop a patina. It just... cracks.
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If you’re serious about adidas men’s high top sneakers, look for the versions with "OG" or "Reissue" in the title. They usually use the better molds—the shapes that actually look like the shoes from the 70s and 80s rather than the watered-down modern versions.
The Comfort Factor: Is "Cloudfoam" a Gimmick?
You’ll see a lot of modern Adidas high tops, like the Postmove or the Hoops 3.0, advertised with Cloudfoam. Is it comfortable? Yes. For about four hours. Cloudfoam is a soft EVA foam that feels amazing the second you step into it in the store. However, because it's so soft, it compresses quickly.
If you’re planning on being on your feet all day, the older-school shoes with "cupsole" construction (like the Forum) are actually better. They’re stiffer at first, but they provide actual support. Your arches will thank you at 5:00 PM. High tops already provide a sense of stability, but don't confuse "squishy" with "supportive."
How to Style Them Without Looking Like a Teenager
The biggest fear most men have with high tops is looking like they’re trying to relive high school. The trick is the pants.
Stop trying to tuck your pants into the shoes. This isn't 2012. Let the pants sit naturally. A slight crop that hits the top of the collar is the "correct" way to do it right now. Or, go with a wider leg that drapes over the shoe entirely, only showing the toe box when you walk.
Pairing a Forum High with a pair of pleated trousers and a simple hoodie is a killer look. It mixes high and low in a way that feels intentional. If you’re wearing the Nizza, keep it simple: chinos or fatigues. It’s a workwear shoe at heart.
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The Sustainability Angle
Adidas has been pushing "Parley" and "Primegreen" materials hard. A lot of their high tops now feature at least 50% recycled content. While that’s great for the planet, be aware that synthetic leather (vegan leather) doesn't stretch.
If you buy a pair of synthetic adidas men’s high top sneakers, they will fit exactly the same on day 100 as they did on day 1. Real leather will mold to your foot. If the synthetic pair feels tight in the store, don't buy it. It won't "break in."
Where to Buy to Avoid Fakes
Honestly, you don't have to worry about fakes as much with Adidas as you do with Nike, unless you're buying high-end Yeezy or Jeremy Scott collaborations. Still, the best place is the Adidas Confirmed app for the limited stuff, or just the main site for the classics.
Keep an eye on the "Sales" section. Adidas is notorious for putting even their most popular high tops on 30% or 40% discount every few months. Never pay full price for a Nizza or a Top Ten unless it’s a special edition.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Purchase
- Check your wardrobe color palette. If you wear a lot of black, the Forum in "Triple Black" is sleek. If you wear denim, go for the "White/Royal Blue" Top Tens for that classic Americana look.
- Measure your foot width. High tops are notoriously unforgiving for wide feet because the lacing system goes so high. If you're wide-footed, stick to the Nizza or the Rivalry.
- Invest in better socks. High tops will eat cheap, thin socks. The friction against the higher collar can cause blisters. Get some "quarter" or "crew" length socks with a bit of cushioning in the heel.
- Decide on the "Strap." If you hate the idea of a Velcro strap, avoid the Forum High. You can't really "hide" it. Look at the Decade or the Centennial instead.
- Look at the sole. Look for stitched outsoles (a line of thread running around the top of the rubber sole). This means the shoe is glued and sewn, making it much less likely to fall apart after a year of heavy use.
Adidas high tops aren't just shoes; they're historical markers. Whether you want the 70s minimalism of the Top Ten or the 80s excess of the Forum, you're buying into a lineage that's been vetted by NBA legends and street style icons alike. Pick the one that fits your foot first and your style second. Comfort is king, but the Three Stripes are a very close second.