Which Adidas sneaker is widely nicknamed the “Shell Toe” because of its rubber toe cap?

The Adidas Superstar is widely nicknamed the “Shell Toe” because of its distinctive rubber toe cap.

Adidas introduced the Superstar in 1969 as a low-top basketball shoe. Its molded rubber toe shell helped protect the front of the foot and became the model’s most recognizable visual feature. The shoe evolved from Adidas’s earlier Supergrip basketball design.

The Superstar later moved beyond sport into music, streetwear, and everyday fashion. Run-D.M.C.’s relationship with the shoe helped make it a landmark of hip-hop style, although their famous song about Adidas was released in 1986, well after the sneaker’s debut.

The shell toe is sometimes confused with the rubber toe caps on other canvas sneakers, especially Converse models. In sneaker history, however, “Shell Toes” is the established nickname most strongly associated with the Adidas Superstar.