Adidas Skate Shoes

Three stripes skateboarding done right. Adidas proves athletic companies can contribute to skate culture when they prioritize function over marketing gimmicks and support legitimate skaters.

Adidas Skateboarding

When Adidas entered skateboarding in the mid-2000s, they did what most athletic companies fail to do: they actually gave a shit about skateboarding rather than just seeing it as another market to exploit. By recruiting Dennis Busenitz, Lucas Puig, and legitimate street skaters who earned respect through video parts rather than social media metrics, Adidas established credibility that separated them from typical corporate skateboard initiatives that prioritize marketing over substance. Their approach focuses on adapting classic athletic silhouettes for skateboarding rather than creating entirely new "skate shoes" that abandon the aesthetic heritage that makes Adidas appealing to skaters in the first place. The three stripes team consistently produces video content that showcases genuine street skating and technical progression rather than lifestyle marketing that treats skateboarding as a fashion accessory. From the Busenitz to the Campus ADV, Adidas proves that athletic companies can contribute to skateboarding when they respect the culture's values and support skaters who represent genuine progression rather than just demographic appeal.