The Original Gangsters: An In-Depth Guide to OG Adidas Sneakers

As an avid sneaker collector and Adidas fanatic, I‘m constantly huntin‘ for those vintage, old school OG (Original) colorways. There‘s something about the classic, unchanged designs that brings me back to the golden years of basketball, tennis, soccer and more. If you want the real deal when it comes to iconic retro Adidas, only an original release will do.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll break down everything you need to know about OG Adidas models – from their sporty origins to blockbuster collabs that make sneakerheads drool. Let‘s dive in!

The Big Five: Adidas‘ Most Iconic OG Kicks

First, what exactly makes a shoe OG? For Adidas, it comes down to retaining the original design and colorway a model debuted with way back when. No fancy new tech or wild remixes here. JustStaying true to the classics is what OG is all about.

While Adidas has OG versions of tons of silhouettes, a few standout models have achieved true cultural icon status:

Superstar

The quintessential shell toe shoe, Superstars first hit the hardwood in 1969 and were initially called the "Pro Model" basketball sneaker. But it wasn‘t until Run DMC rocked them that they earned the "Superstar" nickname after their hit song My Adidas.

Total sales today? Over 40 million pairs and counting. Not bad for a 50+ year old sneaker!

Stan Smith

From tennis court to fashion week runway, the Stan Smith is the iconic leather Adidas sneaker. First dropping in 1965, it was eventually renamed for pro tennis player Stan Smith.

Fun fact: Over 50 million pairs of Stan Smiths have been sold to date. Talk about staying power!

Samba

As Adidas‘ first ever soccer training shoe, the Samba made its debut in 1950 to help athletes grip slick indoor pitches. Its grippy gumsole and suede toe cap still make it an indoor futsal favorite.

Gazelle

Gazelles first hit shelves in 1966 as suede indoor soccer shoes. With over 3 million pairs sold, they‘re one of Adidas‘ most successful shoes ever. That slick suede upper and contrast heel tab are unmistakable.

Campus

Originally designed for basketball in the ‘70s, these iconic casual kicks were reborn in the ‘80s as a streetwear staple. They‘ve stayed fly ever since with their smooth leather build and classic triple stripes. Vintage colorways are especially coveted.

Identifying True OG Adidas Releases

So you‘ve got your heart set on scoring some hot retro Adidas heat, but how do you separate true vintage OGs from reimagined retros? Here are the telltale signs of an original:

• Vintage logo – Whether it‘s the trefoil, three stripes, or old school wordmark, the logo provides a dead giveaway.

• Made in Germany/France/USA – Checking the tag‘s country of origin is key. Modern releases are mostly made in Asia.

• Model numbering – The style code imprinted on the tongue or inner sole will include an "OG" designation for originals.

• Color matching – OG colorways will perfectly match the original combo from decades prior.

• Box details – Vintage branding, motifs, and packaging can help ID legitimate Originals.

• Materials – Expect premium leather, crisp canvas, or suede – no cheap synthetics here!

• Shapes – The silhouette will mirror the retro model, not modern redesigns.

If you‘re on the hunt, paying close attention to these markers is a must to avoid getting duped by fakes.

Why Adidas Won‘t Let OG Models Die

Even with constant new tech and trendy silhouettes, Adidas refuses to shelve their OG icons. Why is that?

• Brand heritage – They anchor the brand‘s history and DNA in sports and culture.

• Material quality – They set the bar for premium construction that consumers crave.

• Timeless appeal – Their classic designs magically never seem to go out of style.

• Collectability – OG rereleases generate hype and huge resale demand from collectors.

• Profitibility – Older models boast far higher profit margins compared to cutting-edge shoes.

Adidas has made it part of their mission to preserve these retro models for both cultural and business reasons. As my guy Snoop Dogg says, "If it ain‘t broke, don‘t fix it!"

OG Hypedrops: When Adidas Collabs Cause Mayhem

Collabs have become the name of the game in the sneaker scene. And when Adidas partners with cultural icons on OG silhouettes, absolute madness ensues.

Some collabs that spawned lines around blocks and caused site crashes include:

• RUN DMC Superstars: Revamped the OG shell toe for hip hop heads.

• YEEZY Boost 350 V2: Kanye‘s re-up of the Stan Smith in knit and Boost.

• Pharrell Williams Supershell: The pop visionary‘s play on the Superstar shell toe.

• BAPE NMD: Hyped streetwear label A Bathing Ape put their spin on the NMD runner.

• Juice Stan Smith: A tie-dye dunk for your feet from hip LA juice shop.

When you blend a big name with a classic sneaker model, demand understandably hits the roof. For any diehard sneaker lover, these types of OG collabs are the holy grail.

Hunting for OGs: It Ain‘t Easy, But It‘s Worth It

So you‘ve got the OG bug now too? Welcome to the club. As any seasoned collector knows, tracking down that one vintage colorway or limited collab can quickly get addicting. Here are some tips and tricks I‘ve learned over the years:

• Sign up for release alerts – don‘t sleep on announcements for reissued classics!

• Call local boutiques – smaller shops are more likely to get limited OG stock.

• Follow droplists – these track upcoming collabs so you‘re ready to pounce.

• Know the outlets – Adidas‘ Confirmed app and Adidas.com/Originals are go-tos.

• Bring friends – team up to tackle hyped releases and beat the bots!

• Have backup options ready – popular OGs sell out instantly, so think flexibly.

• Join cook groups – insiders provide guidance to cop the most coveted drops.

• Be speedy online – have credit card ready and fingers on the trigger.

• Don‘t feed resellers – try to buy to rock, not just to stock and flip for profit.

It for sure takes some work, but finally scoring that grail pair makes the effort oh so rewarding. Keep chasing those OGs down!

In Closing

At the end of the day, Adidas‘ originals represent so much more than just shoes. They‘re symbols of great moments in sport, music, and popular culture. The fact we can still experience a tiny piece of that rich heritage today through these iconic designs is really something special.

So whether you‘re a lifelong collector like me or just someone who appreciates a great looking sneaker, now you‘ve got all the inside scoop on Adidas‘ OG offerings. Just try not to get too obsessed – this sneaker thing has a way of taking over!