According to “The Last Dance” documentary, we learned that Michael Jordan was so inclined to sign with Adidas that he didn’t even want to meet with Nike.
That is until Deloris Jordan, his mother, convinced a young MJ to meet with Nike in Beaverton. Michael Jordan signed a five-year contract on October 26, 1984, and the rest is history.
While we’ll never see an Adidas-Jordan collaboration, I’ve got the next best thing. Here are some of the best Adidas shoes that actually look like Jordans. Most of them are affordable too.
Adidas Forum Mid
Looking at the Adidas Forum Mid shoe, I can’t help but notice the resemblance with the Air Jordan 1, especially due to the leather upper and the thick rubber midsole.
Contrary to popular belief, the Three Stripes brand was ahead of the game when it comes to popularizing basketball sneakers. It did so with the Adidas Forum.
During the 1980s, Adidas already had a signature basketball shoe named the “Top Ten” (which I’ll talk more about below). However, Adidas wanted to create something better.
Thus, the Adidas Forum was born.
It was packed with innovative features such as the patented Dellinger Web, a nylon netting around the midsole that was designed to absorb any kind of shock.
It also has the Criss-Cross Ankle System, which prevents foot injuries.
However, the shoe’s most significant endorsement came from a young basketball player named Michael Jordan — long before his Nike deal.
During basketball trials for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, Michael Jordan was seen wearing the Adidas Forum, which skyrocketed the popularity of the shoe.
Over the years, the hype for the Adidas Forum would die down, with other Adidas silhouettes like the Samba and the Superstar taking precedence.
Since 2020, however, the Adidas Forum has been worn by rappers like Bad Bunny and ASAP Rocky, K-Pop stars like Lisa of Blackpink, and supermodels Bella Hadid and Kendall Jenner.
I expect the Adidas Forum to dominate in the coming years. If you can get your hands on a pair, I think the shoe not only looks great but is also a fantastic Air Jordan 1 alternative.
Adidas Hoops 3.0 Mid
Another Adidas sneaker that looks like Air Jordan 1 is the Hoops 3.0 Mid. The elongated tongue with foam exposed, as well as the retro design signature is something I really adore.
Adidas advertises the shoe uses both real and synthetic leather but the one I got seems to be more of the latter. Given the price point of merely $75, it doesn’t really bother me.
You can see the iconic Three Stripes plastered on the sides of the synthetic leather upper, combined with the rubber cupsole underneath, both of which create a heritage vibe.
The rubber cupsole isn’t anything special, so you won’t get the “bounciest” technology from Adidas, but for casual wear, the shoe works just fine.
Although I wouldn’t wear this shoe for actual basketball, I think it looks great with track pants or chinos. It’s the perfect high-top sneaker for everyday deeds in style and comfort.
It’s an excellent alternative to the more expensive retro sneakers, like the Air Jordan 1, for example. You can wear it casually but also for light sporting activities, on and off the court.
Adidas Postmove Mid
The Adidas Postmove Mid is another shoe from Adidas that resembles the Air Jordan 1. I think you’ll start to notice the theme here. A lot of Adidas high tops look like Jordan Ones.
My first impression of the shoe is that it’s comfortable on and off the court. The shoe is perfect for those who are looking for a stylish sneaker that they can also wear for pickup basketball.
The Adidas Postmove Mid is often compared to the Adidas Forum Mid (the first shoe on this list). In fact, many people think it’s a knockoff of the Forum without all of its technical features.
While they look similar, the Adidas Postmove Mid is made of lighter recycled materials, so if you’d rather have a lighter shoe that is cheaper, the Postmove Mid is more suitable for you.
I think this shoe offers so much value for the price, especially for something that looks like Jordans. It retails for $80, while most mid-top shoes are priced at $90 on average.
On the other hand, the Forum Mid, which uses higher-quality materials, is heavier and narrower. You may prefer the Adidas Forum Mid if you want a more durable sneaker.
Adidas Top Ten
I mentioned the Adidas Top Ten shoe earlier in this article along with the Forum Mid because it’s actually one of the first performance basketball shoes ever released (1979).
During the 1980s, it became a favorite among NBA players and across the world.
Similar to the Air Jordan 1, the upper of the Adidas Top Ten is made of leather with suede overlays in the toe box area. There is cushioning in the ankle area and the tongue.
As far as sole units go, the Top Ten is a flat shoe that offers basic arch support. It’s enough to support your foot as a casual shoe but not enough to boost basketball performance.
If you have the chance to grab a pair, I suggest going for the white, navy, and red color scheme, which gives me Team USA vibes. It also reminds me of MJ during the 1984 Olympics.
Adidas Rose 773 III
Moving on from the Air Jordan 1 comparison, I’ve got an Adidas shoe that looks like the Air Jordan 10. Introducing a basketball sneaker named Adidas Rose 773 III.
If you notice both sneakers, you’ll see similar wavy lines on the sides.
Does it look exactly like Jordans? Not exactly. You’ll need to stretch your imagination to label this particular Adidas basketball sneaker as a like-for-like Jordan alternative.
However, I can’t deny the fact that the Adidas Rose 773 III is one heck of a basketball sneaker, especially for outdoor basketball. It has durable materials and a tough outsole.
Also, I like the fact that it’s a shoe made for Derrick Rose. During his peak, he was playing for the Chicago Bulls and was considered the next Michael Jordan.
Adidas Own The Game 2.0
The Adidas Own The Game 2.0 is a pair of affordable basketball shoes fitted with Adidas’ comfortable cushioning for long-lasting comfort, also known as Lightweight Lightmotion.
In terms of design, I can’t help but notice the Adidas Own The Game 2.0 looks a lot like two Jordan sneakers, namely the Jordan 11 and the Jordan Future.
The silhouette resembles the Air Jordan 11 and the Jordan Future, minus the tinted icy soles. However, this Adidas shoe is fitted with a mesh upper that is more flexible.
Comparison aside, I think the Adidas Own The Game 2.0 is a great pair of budget basketball sneakers. It’s very lightweight, can handle a lot of pressure, and feel snug yet comfortable.
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