Shop the latest models of the Adidas Skateboarding Busenitz Skate Shoe collection. From the Adidas Busenitz Pro originals to the Busenitz Vulc ADV, we've got you covered. A low profile, high performance shoe with a classic football aesthetic, the Adidas Busenitz covers all bases. Shop Adidas Busenitz skate shoes in black, white and more at The Vines.
Who is Dennis Busenitz?
The skate shoe world is fickle to say the least. Most models are here today, gone tomorrow. So if a skate shoe keeps selling year after year, you know it’s a solid silhouette that people are drawn back to time and again. That longevity tends to boil down to either a standout design twist or a big-name pro with cult status. The Adidas Busenitz has both, and with the Adidas name behind it, its been a best seller since day. Adidas Skateboarding rolled the dice letting Dennis Busenitz design his own pro model, resulting in a silhouette that, honestly, looked mad risky for the mainstream when it first dropped. But before we talk about why that was such a game-changer, let’s rewind to how Dennis ended up designing his own skate shoe in the first place.
Dennis’ Skate Story
Dennis Busenitz, born in Newton, Kansas in ‘81, moved to Munich as a kid, and his obsession with skating kicked off there. Like all of us, seeing someone ollie for the first time absolutely blew his mind, and by five or six, he was popping up curbs. He got a full decade to dial everything in on the crusty German streets before heading back to Kansas. Fast forward to ‘99: Consolidated Skateboards roll through town for a demo, Dennis shows up, throws down a few hammers, and impresses Scott Bourne enough to get asked what shoe company he wanted to ride for. He just said “Emerica” and after a quick call, the flow boxes started turning up. That same year, Deluxe Distribution sorts him out too, leading to a spot on Real Skateboards (a partnership that’s still going strong). Basically, he goes to a demo for a bit of fun, and walks away with box deals.
Soon enough, Dennis is officially on the Real team, bouncing from Emerica to DVS for shoes, and linking up with Volcom for clothes. This was the era he started dropping those legendary video parts like “Real to Reel”, “Seeing Double”, and the must-watch cult classic skate videos “Roll Forever” and “Skate More” in 2005. His name became cemented in skate history, especially for his anything-goes approach to ramps and stairs and that signature ultra fast style.
That next-level skateboarding turned heads everywhere, including at Adidas HQ. At the time, their skate programme was still just Mark Gonzales. In 2006, Bryce Kanights hit Dennis up to sign with adidas, and by 2009, the first Adidas Busenitz was dropped. Even though Gonz and Lance Mountain were already riding for Adidas, Dennis’ shoe was their first actual signature skate shoe model.
The Adidas Skateboarding Busenitz Shoe
When it came time to design his own shoe, Dennis knew exactly what he wanted: basically, a Copa Mundial football boot for skating. In his words, “I wanted to make the Copa Mundial soccer shoe and I had never skated anything like that until they made it, ’cause Copa Mundial has cleats and you can’t skate in it.” adidas nailed it by slapping that football upper onto a Handball Spezial sole, keeping Dennis’ vision intact while actually making it skateable.
It’s not just about the looks with the Busenitz though. The tech is definitely there as well. A raised heel for board feel and heel protection, GEOFIT® padding for a locked-in fit, and a stabilising heel counter for ankle support. Recessed lace loops, premium suede and leathers, and the infamous long tongue (which you can trim down yourself if you’re not feeling the full football boot styling) round it out.
Since the original Busenitz dropped, Adidas has put out a few different versions:
-
Busenitz ADV: Short-lived, super-tech, beefed-up version (Mark Suciu made these look sick).
-
Busenitz Vintage: Stripped-down OG with the tongue cut to normal size—perfect for anyone who’s not ready to step out in the gigantic Copa tongue.
-
Busenitz Vulc: Probably the most popular out of all the spin-offs. You get a slimmed-down upper, lower tongue, vulcanised sole, extra moulded insole, and those trademark Busenitz features like the GEOFIT® collar and heel counter.
Adidas Busenitz Vulc
The Busenitz Vulc and Busenitz Vulc II are easily the most popular twists on the classic Busenitz, often outshining the original version. While it looks like a stripped-back version of the OG, it actually features some key tech differences. The tongue is shorter for a cleaner fit, and the sole is vulcanised, offering better board feel and flexibility. Still packing the signature Adidas Busenitz features, you get the plush GEOFIT® collar, recessed lace loops, and sturdy heel counter for extra support. Plus, the Vulc comes with an upgraded moulded insole to make up for the slimmer sole’s lighter impact protection, along with tongue straps to lock your foot in tight. Perfect for skaters who want style, comfort, and performance all in one.
The Adidas Skateboarding Busenitz
You’ve got to hand it to Dennis and Adidas. It would’ve been advisable to play it safe when designing a new signature shoe for a relatively new skate shoe company. But they didn’t. They stuck with what Dennis wanted, and Adidas backed him, even when it seemed out there. Turns out, new ideas (and a bit of courage) are what keep skate culture moving. Sometimes the risks pay off, and in this case, it seriously did.