How many sneakers can you name that existed before the Air Jordan and still make sense today? The Adidas Jabbar Lo Black Snakeskin is one of them: the signature shoe of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the first basketball player to sign with adidas, reworked in total black with snakeskin embossing. A seventies model that in 2026 fits a street look better than a court.
The Adidas Jabbar Lo Black Snakeskin is the low-cut version of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's signature model, introduced in 1978, executed in black leather with a snake-style texture. It's a monochrome colorway: the three side stripes stand out only through the change in finish, not color. Low silhouette, low-profile rubber sole.
What is the Adidas Jabbar and why is it historic?
Before he had his own model, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played in the Superstar, and that base shows in the last and construction of his signature shoe. The Jabbar was the first basketball shoe designed for a specific athlete, a milestone that came years before the idea of the signature shoe became an industry.
Over its life the model has come in low, mid and high versions, all considered iconic silhouettes for the brand. This is the Lo: low cut, three side stripes and practically nothing else.
Black leather with snakeskin embossing: why it changes how the model reads
The Jabbar Lo's design is minimalist but unmistakably athletic. Taken to total black with snakeskin texture, the finish does all the visual work: with no color contrast, what you see up close is the embossing on the upper and the uneven sheen it gives off under the light.
From a distance they read as a sober, very clean black sneaker. Up close they're something else. That double register is exactly what makes them work with a relaxed office look as well as a weekend fit.
Materials and construction of the Adidas Jabbar Lo Black Snakeskin
- Upper: black leather with snake-style textured embossing and tonal three side stripes
- Interior: textile lining with padded collar and removable insole
- Last: low, inherited straight from seventies basketball
- Sole: low-profile rubber with a grip pattern designed for indoor courts
No air units or modern foams: this is classic court construction. That defines how they feel on foot and how they sit under your pants, with a slim profile that doesn't bulk up the ankle.
adidas Jabbar Lo sizing: do they run big or small?
The consensus from sizing guides and wearers is clear: the Jabbar Lo runs true to size. Stick with your usual adidas size and don't go up or down.
The nuance is in the width. It's an old-school court shoe with a narrow profile, and if you have a wide forefoot or a high big toe, you'll find the toe box snugger than expected. If you're between widths, keep the return option in mind.
On comfort: break-in is short, a couple of wears, but the cushioning is basic and the sole is low and firm. For everyday wear and regular outings they're perfect; for ten hours on your feet walking, there are more cushioned options.
How to style the Adidas Jabbar Lo Black Snakeskin
Textured total black calls for understated looks that let it breathe. The less the rest of the outfit competes, the more the embossing on the upper stands out.
- Straight dark denim with a short hem so the full low profile shows
- Charcoal gray suit pants and thin black socks: the contrast of finishes makes the look
- Total black with a leather jacket — the texture keeps the outfit from looking flat
- Navy chinos or black cargos with a basic sweatshirt for everyday wear
Avoid loud prints and saturated colors: they steal the spotlight from exactly what makes this version special.
Jabbar Lo or Superstar? How they differ
They share DNA: the Superstar was the model Abdul-Jabbar wore before he had his own. But the Jabbar Lo drops the rubber shell toe that defines the Superstar and keeps a smoother, more understated line, with the three stripes as the only graphic element.
If you want the obvious adidas reference, go with the Superstar. If you want a silhouette with the same roots but far less common on the street, the Adidas Jabbar Lo Black Snakeskin is the move. The Jabbar's textured finishes are short runs and hard to restock.
Where to buy the Adidas Jabbar Lo Black Snakeskin in Spain
At Next Step you get them 100% new and authentic, with 14 calendar days to return them from delivery of your order and fast shipping to Spain and all of Europe.
👉 Check available sizes and get your pair here before your size sells out. You can see all the model details on its product page and discover more options in our Adidas Jabbar collection.
