adidas Superstar Versions Explained: Original, II, XLG, and 82
The Superstar has been around since the late 1960s, and like the Samba, it's grown into a family of versions that are easy to confuse. Original, II, XLG, 82 — they all share the shell toe, but they're not the same shoe. Here's what separates them, so you buy the right one. They all live in the Superstars collection.
The original Superstar
The classic: a streamlined shell-toe with a thin tongue and the clean, low profile that made it an icon on and off the court. If you want the pure, no-frills Superstar, this is it.
Superstar II — the current mainline
The Superstar II is the version you'll see most today. It updates the classic with a wider, more comfortable fit, a padded tongue, and Trefoil branding, while keeping the shell toe and serrated three stripes intact. It's the everyday Superstar for most people — and the one we carry in the most colorways. Fit runs a little roomy, so our Superstar II size guide covers whether to size up or down.
Superstar XLG — the chunky platform
Same idea as the Samba XLG: take the classic shell-toe upper and set it on a thicker, chunkier platform sole for lift and a bolder stance. It's the Superstar for anyone who wants height and a more modern, statement proportion.
Superstar 82 — the vintage-spec version
The 82 is named for the shoe's early-1980s era, and it leans into that heritage — a more retro, premium take for people who want the OG spirit over the modern mainline build. If faithfulness to the original detailing matters to you, the 82 is the collector-leaning pick.
Which Superstar should you buy?
Original for the pure classic, II for the comfortable everyday version (and the widest color choice), XLG for a platform, 82 for the vintage-spec build. Once you've chosen, our Superstar sizing guide helps you land the fit, and if you're buying secondhand anywhere, how to spot fake Superstars is worth a read. The full lineup is in the Superstars collection.
Every pair is authentic, inspected in-house, and shipped the next business day from Portland — Verified & Shipped.
— Anthony from West Coast Deals