Adidas Forum Mid Cloud White Crystal White: guide and sizing

How many white sneakers survive forty years without changing a single line of their design? The Adidas Forum Mid Cloud White Crystal White is one of the few: a 1984 basketball silhouette that works better on the street today than on the court, and in white-on-white it has become the ultimate wardrobe wildcard. The velcro criss-cross strap is still there, untouched, and it's still the first thing everyone looks at.

The Adidas Forum Mid Cloud White Crystal White is the mid-cut version of the iconic basketball model adidas launched in 1984 for the Los Angeles Games. It pairs Cloud White leather with Crystal White three stripes and velcro strap, a padded collar for ankle support and a rubber cupsole with court traction.

Side view of the Adidas Forum Mid Cloud White Crystal White with the velcro strap crossing over the instep — The full white-on-white profile: Cloud White leather and Crystal White strap.

History of the Adidas Forum: from Los Angeles '84 to your feed

French designer Jacques Chassaing started working on the Forum in 1983 with an unusual method for the time: asking pro players directly what they wanted from a basketball shoe. That gave birth to the velcro criss-cross strap system to stabilize the ankle, the detail that defines the silhouette today.

The name comes from the arena that hosted the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic tournament. It was also one of the brand's first models available in three heights: high, mid and low. That 1984 decision is why today you can pick exactly the ankle height you want.

What sets the Forum Mid apart from the Forum Low and High?

The mid cut is the real sweet spot of the family. It keeps some of the ankle support of the high model but drops the high-top bulk that many people find uncomfortable day to day. In practice: it looks more present on foot than the Low, but it doesn't force you to rethink your pants.

Forum Low: the most casual and minimal option, the easiest with wide-leg pants
Forum Mid: padded mid-cut collar, the strap gets more visual focus without taking over the look
Forum High: maximum presence and volume, harder to wear every day

In this version white covers absolutely everything. The contrast between the Cloud White of the leather and the Crystal White of the three stripes and strap is subtle, tone on tone, and lets the silhouette speak for itself. You can see every detail and available size on the full product page at Next Step.

Close-up of the Crystal White three stripes on the Cloud White leather of the Adidas Forum Mid — The tone-on-tone play between the three stripes and the leather upper.

Materials: what you're actually wearing

Upper: Cloud White leather with Crystal White three stripes and velcro strap; criss-cross strap carried over from the original 1984 design
Interior: padded mid-cut collar for ankle support, textile lining and removable insole
Sole: rubber cupsole with a traction pattern inherited from court footwear

The removable insole is a welcome detail if you use your own insoles. And the rubber cupsole is what gives the Forum that solid, slightly raised base that sets it apart from flatter silhouettes in the adidas lineup.

Adidas Forum Mid sizing: true to size or size up?

adidas' official recommendation for the whole Forum family is to order your usual size: the model fits true to size. The brand also notes that the Forum is wider than a court classic like the Stan Smith, because its original construction was designed for basketball.

That means two practical things. If you have wide feet, the Forum will feel more comfortable than other retro silhouettes from the brand. And if you're torn between two sizes, keep in mind that the leather upper gives with wear and ends up feeling broken in.

Rubber cupsole with traction pattern of the Adidas Forum Mid Cloud White Crystal White — The rubber cupsole with the original court traction pattern.

How to style the Adidas Forum Mid Cloud White Crystal White

All-white is streetwear on easy mode: it doesn't clash with anything. But there are a few combos where this model really shines:

Light blue jeans, wide or straight, with the hem falling right on the strap
Grey sweatpants with the hem gathered so the mid cut shows
Athletic shorts in summer, the most '90s look of them all
Total black from the waist up: the contrast with the white sneaker does all the work

A tip: the mid cut calls for showing some ankle or a clean pant break. Bunched-up hems hide exactly what makes this silhouette special.

Top view of the pair of Adidas Forum Mid Cloud White Crystal White showing the padded mid-cut collar — The padded mid-cut collar, the middle ground between the Low and the High.

Why buy them at Next Step

It's one of the few '80s basketball models that still works without any tweaks. At Next Step we have it 100% new and authentic, with 14 calendar days for returns from the day you receive your order and fast shipping to Spain and all of Europe.

If all-white is your move, this is the cleanest Forum you'll find. Check available sizes and grab your pair here before the most popular sizes sell out. You can also explore other colorways in our Adidas Forum collection.

FAQ

Does the Adidas Forum Mid Cloud White Crystal White run big or small? +

It fits true to size: adidas recommends ordering your usual size across the whole Forum family, including the mid cut. The brand also notes that the Forum is wider than models like the Stan Smith because of its original basketball construction, so it's a good option if you have wide feet.

What's the difference between the Forum Mid and the Forum Low? +

The Forum Mid has a padded mid-cut collar that covers more of the ankle and adds support, while the Low is more casual and minimal. The Mid keeps some of the high model's support without its bulk, making it easier to wear every day than a high-top.

What is the velcro strap on the Adidas Forum for? +

The velcro criss-cross strap was born in 1984 as a system to stabilize the ankle on the court, after Jacques Chassaing asked pro players what they needed. Today it's still functional —it secures the instep— and it's the visual detail that makes the silhouette instantly recognizable.

What material is the Adidas Forum Mid Cloud White Crystal White made of? +

The upper is Cloud White leather with Crystal White three stripes and velcro strap. Inside there's a textile lining, a padded mid-cut collar and a removable insole, and the base is a rubber cupsole with a traction pattern inherited from court footwear.

What year did the Adidas Forum come out? +

adidas launched the Forum in 1984 with an eye on the Los Angeles Olympic basketball tournament, and the name comes from the arena where those games were played. Design work began in 1983 under Jacques Chassaing, and it was one of the first models available in high, mid and low cuts.