Despite some heavy backing from hip-hop gods Run DMC and The Beastie Boys, the Adidas Superstar does not reign supreme in the battle of the most successful sneaker of all time. According to new statistics that calculated the best-selling sneakers of all time, the hugely influential Adidas silhouette has been pipped to the post by another icon of footwear, and somewhere in the heavens, Mac Miller and Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock, are smiling.
Topping the list, is the Nike Air Force 1, according to the algorithm used by BestBettingSites – who have released a list of the most popular sneaker silhouettes as dictated by a combination of social posts/tags and monthly Google searches.
The iconic Air Force 1 has long been the sneaker of choice for sneakerheads and hype beasts, particularly due to its constant cycle of high profile collaborations and limited releases that fuel a vibrant online community. Its cult status salutes the respective sneaker insignia’s like dedicated acolytes, sneakers have evolved from athletic gear to global icons, defining eras of music, fashion, and culture from all around the world. As much a symbol of status as they are identity, the sneaker market is estimated to be worth over AED 1.4 Trillion in 2023.
The list was made utilising Google searches to uncover the global monthly searches for popular sneakers, as well as Instagram to reach the number of hashtags, yielding a final popularity score out of ten.
The most popular sneakers of all time
| Rank | Sneaker | Instagram # ‘[sneaker]’ | global monthly searches for ‘[sneaker]’ | Popularity Score (/10) |
| 1 | Nike Air Force 1 | 2,400,000 | 2,543,931 | 9.80 |
| 2 | Adidas Superstar | 560,000 | 2,955,076 | 9.68 |
| =3 | Nike Dunk | 1,300,000 | 1,701,003 | 9.64 |
| =3 | Air Jordan 1 | 689,000 | 2,486,372 | 9.64 |
| 5 | Vans Old Skool | 435,000 | 2,659,403 | 9.56 |
| 6 | Adidas Samba | 1,400,000 | 631,777 | 9.44 |
| 7 | Nike Air Max 97 | 516,000 | 1,042,528 | 9.35 |
| 8 | Converse All Star | 282,000 | 1,542,893 | 9.32 |
| 9 | Adidas NMD | 175,000 | 1,689,142 | 9.12 |
| 10 | Adidas Stan Smith | 244,000 | 633,161 | 9.07 |
The staggering influence of the Air Force 1 is exemplified by an astounding 2,400,000 Instagram hashtags and an equally remarkable 2,543,931 global monthly searches. Since they first came on the scene in 1982, new versions are still being released over 40 years after their initial introduction.
And hanging very close behind in second place is the Adidas Superstar, where, were you to spend one weekend at an English University club, if you keep your head down, you’ll find an ocean of both the Superstars and the Air Force One – both equally muddy and dirty.
The Superstar, with a history that spans over 50 years, has garnered an impressive 560,000 Instagram hashtags and 2,955,076 global monthly searches. The enduring popularity of Adidas Superstars is seen in the widespread adoption by celebrities, such as Kylie Jenner and Gigi Hadid, but the trend was started by none other than Run DMC and The Beastie Boys, the only Adidas pioneers that really matter.
It should come as no surprise that Nike remains the king of footwear, because it’s influence transcends all genres of everything. Just look at Slash in this photo from Guns ‘n Roses heyday back in 1987, wearing the Nike Air Jordans. From rappers to rockstars to filmmakers, everybody needs some Nikes.
