The Dassler: Number 33- November 2024. Read on for enough three stripe goodness to satisfy the most obsessive adidas fanatic.

Welcome to The Dassler, Thirty-third edition.

Welcome to our eleventh edition of The Dassler in 2024-number 33, the monthly magazine especially written for (and by) adidas lovers.

Thank you for continuing to subscribe to our little corner of adidas heaven.

This publication loves sharing three stripe nuggets of information, that add to the mystique of the adidas legacy. Soooo…

What does APS stand for in the first released in 1986 ‘adidas APS’ with that key thingy sticking out the back?

adidas APS (with key)…

The APS which stands for ‘anti-pronation and shock absorption’ (no idea where the A went but am sure APS sounds better thatn APSA!) was customisable cushioning technology, which gave wearers the ability to adjust the feel of the sole. Inserting a key and turning rods let you tune the comfort of your shoe. To clarify, the APS came with it’s own key!

adidas-always learning!

The Dassler comes out on the Third Saturday of each Month-to take your mind off spending all your money on adidas and give you something to do while waiting for the end of the months pay day!

In this edition the ‘Retro shoe of the month’ we talk about the adidas Jogging/Joggen. Woody retro reviews the 1990’s adidas Equipment adventure series, Craig shares another of his adidas adventures this time adidas v The Simpsons. We also have a wonderful adidas Top Ten from James of Pontone Classics fame and Craig again reviews the latest adidas releases.

A massive three-striped thank you for subscribing, it takes a lot of hours to research, write, source and edit The Dassler and your support is very much appreciated.

If this is your first visit then we’d highly recommend you run over to the very beginning (obvs wearing a pair of OG colourway adidas ZX600’s)to our earlier issues here.

This is a monthly newsletter, that will contain ultra rare deadstock trainers, new adidas releases & brand exclusive information from 3 stripe social media giant Craig (@adifamily_ *X & Insta*), adidas oddments & apparel reminiscences written by Woody (@dadidassler *X* & Insta) plus loads of articles from special guest writers and we have some absolute adidas legends as guest writers lined up!

---

---

My adidas 'Top 10' James Nicholson AKA (@PontoneClassics on X and IG).

I was never into the 'casual' scene. I grew up a rugby kid. Can't even tell you if I owned a pair of kick when I was younger so the love affair didn't start from there! I did however even as a rugby kid remember watching italia 90 and seeing some of the adidas kits (was 8) and from then I've always being into shirts! Be it football or rugby! I'm not an obsessive with trainers as you can tell from what I've selected as pairs. But as a brand the trefoil and stripes is certainly an obsession and my 'go to' brand. With the website it is my main brand. I love seeing some of the items I get through the door, even if it's something as simple as a firebird I get excited when I find a lesser seen CW. I can't say a when or why other then them first football kits I guess! 

In no particular order….. 

F1.3 LE Boot.

Now I absolutely love exploring places and honestly don't do it enough! I remember looking for a boot as I was going to Poland and knew the weather could be a bit on the harsh side. I wanted something that would go with jeans but also not look too out of place with a pair of joggers as I travel light on city trips so wouldn't take another pair with me. Honestly these things have covered miles of different terrain and in absolute comfort. These have been to such places like Auschwitz and Chernoybl, they now live in the loft until the next adventure giving the place a warm glow.

Jamaica.

My favourite of the island series. Just a great summer trainer 

Marathon tr.

I've a couple of pairs of these and more modern ones but will show off the Korean pair! They're such a good all round pair! Again because I like to explore i take a pair away when on holidays as they are good for just walking around but also solid enough for doing some off the beaten track stuff. Cracking pair one of my favourites.

Samba.

Again I generally wear a more modern pair but will show you a vintage Yugoslavian pair i keep. They're just such a good all occasion pair of leather trainers, everyone should have a pair of samba!

Samba 420.

Just WOW .. remember seeing them and thinking they look funky

I managed to get a pair as on release no one went too mental for them strangely. Once in hand the feel of the velvet uppers and colour really made me think these could be a future classic. I remember detagging these in Turkey then deciding the road outside was too dusty to wear them.

Handball spezial PK.

I love this pair but they don't love me.. these will absolutely destroy the backs of your ankles if worn without socks! Again another great pair for sunny holidays (yes I like being away) they're a really light comftable pair with the sock like upper and HB sole unit.. just don't walk too far without covering the back of your ankles!

Jeans MK2 Size? Exclusive.

I loved the reissue of the jeans and had the red and vista green pairs. However the cw of these ones always stood out for me. An absolute classic and surprisingly go really well with a pair of jeans on..

Iniki.

Again we had booked a holiday and used it as an excuse to buy a new pair.. first time I've ever had a pair that had a boost sole. It was the bright cw that initially attracted me to them, however once I wore a pair me and the Mrs ended up buying about 5 pairs in different CW's ! I will add we only have the iniki pairs and not the I-5923 as they just didn't look as good on the side of the trainers-these are an absolute essential holiday pair for me.

Busenitz.

A Skateboarding pair, but I definitely do not Skateboard. Remember picking these up in an outlet and with me liking the HB spezials thought these looked and felt a little chunkier. I absolutely love this pair they're so comfortable and look smart for going out in for some food etc

Manchester GT.

Now I love a pair of HB .. these are the only real 'hype pair' I've owned and to be honest I'd never have bought myself. Somehow the Mrs got me them, no clue how and was a gift off her and my daughter who had recently just been born. Will always keep this pair.

Honorable mention. 

GAT (German Army Trainer) .

The German Army trainer.. its common knowledge the dasslers produced these. As a pair of general trainers they're very similar to samba. Pontone Classics owes a lot to these trainers as at one point in time these was a huge seller for me on eBay at the time (before the website came along) I was lucky enough to get my hands on bales of these, huge sack fulls (with a few of the black and pt pairs also) and at the time was selling them for £24 a pair delivered! They have such an interesting history (maybe an article idea for the dassler)

Alas like all good things the bales came to an end. 

*Just a great read James- Here at Dassler we also love the Jamaica! Those MKII Jeans are also off the charts👌🏼! An amazing adidas Top Eleven-Thank you for contributing!

TD 👟///

If you would like to contribute your adidas Top Ten (we’d love some more apparel versions please) then please get in touch-we’d be happy to showcase your choices. Please email Woody on adidascollectorsclub@gmail.com.

James has kindly offered to do a special THEDASSLER15 discount code for 15% off his great site Pontone Classics which is full of lovely 3 stripe goodness, trainers and apparel.