adidas first released the Forum basketball sneaker in 1984.
The Forum was designed as a performance basketball shoe and introduced adidas’s ankle-support strap, a feature intended to help stabilize the foot during play. Its construction and bold paneling gave it a distinctive appearance compared with simpler low-top sneakers of the period.
Although the Forum began on basketball courts, it later became popular in casual wear, hip-hop and streetwear. Both high-top and low-top versions helped the silhouette move from sports equipment into everyday fashion.
The Forum is sometimes confused with the adidas Superstar because both became prominent lifestyle shoes and share a strong connection with street culture. The Superstar debuted earlier and is known for its shell toe; the Forum is identified by its basketball design and ankle strap. Its original release year was 1984.