adidas Samba Shoes - Page 5

Which adidas Samba Shoes Should You Choose?

adidas Samba Shoes bring a classic adidas lifestyle shape to everyday outfits. Part of the adidas Originals sneakers lineup, the Samba is a low-top sneaker with a leather upper, the Three Stripes on the sides and a gum rubber outsole, offered in women's and men's sizes. The right version depends on the shape you want and how you plan to wear it.

• Samba OG: The everyday version of the classic, with a leather upper, a suede T-toe and a gum sole. Choose it when you want the familiar sleek, low-profile look for daily outfits, from weekday plans to weekends.
• Samba Jane: A Mary Jane shape with a strap across the foot. Pick it when you want the Samba details in a softer, dressier silhouette that still keeps the gum sole and the side stripes.
• Collaboration pairs: The Liberty Samba OG brings a print to the OG build, while the Care Bears Samba OG adds a character look. Reach for these when the sneaker should be the focus of the outfit.

Shoppers who want an everyday classic start with the Samba OG, while fans of a dressier shape or a statement look lean toward the Jane or a collaboration pair.

What Makes adidas Samba Sneakers Unique?

The Samba was built as sports equipment long before it became a fashion staple. adidas founder Adolf Dassler designed it in 1949 to give football players traction on icy, snowy German pitches; a popular story ties the name to the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, but adidas points to those frozen pitches instead. The Samba as it is known today launched in 1972 with a 3-zone profile outsole for multidirectional grip, and the 1982 Samba Spezial added a polyurethane wedge and a multi-stud outsole.

From the pitch, it became a terrace sneaker for English football fans in the late 1970s and later a streetwear staple, marked by the 2014 SAMBA Super Battle Pack and a red Samba by designer Grace Wales Bonner.

How to Pick the Right Pair of adidas Sambas

A few checks help you land on the pair that suits your feet and your wardrobe. If an all-suede upper or a different low profile appeals more, the adidas Handball Spezial and adidas Gazelle are the classics to weigh against the Samba.

• Foot shape: The Samba is a slim, low shoe, so it suits narrow and medium feet best. Wide feet often need a little extra room, so try a pair on when you can.
• Occasion: The low profile works with casual and dressed-up outfits alike, so think about whether the pair will cover daily wear or a specific look.
• Material and care: The leather upper and suede T-toe take different care, so plan on a soft brush for the suede if you want the pair to keep its clean look.

What Are the adidas Samba Shoes Tech Specs?

Leather Upper With Suede T-Toe Overlay on the adidas Samba

The upper is typically leather, which creases in with wear. The T-shaped suede overlay at the toe adds structure where the foot flexes and the shoe takes scuffs, and it gives the Samba its signature texture.

Gum Rubber Outsole on the adidas Samba

The amber gum rubber outsole grips smooth and indoor surfaces. That gum rubber is also a big part of the look, so the sole adds both grip and the vintage finish the model is known for.

Which adidas Samba Colorways Are Worth Knowing?

The adidas Samba OG comes in white and black pairs as well as brown, grey, red, pink, green and gold. A black Samba with white stripes goes with jeans and sweats alike, while white pairs with colored stripes are another neutral option for everyday wear. For a statement, print, rhinestone and metallic finishes such as "Cheetah Print" or "Silver Metallic" stand out, "Collegiate Green" gives an earthy feel, and soft pinks and mauves add lighter color. The Samba Jane comes in white, grey and pink colorways.

Key Terms for adidas Samba Sneakers

• Terrace sneaker - A low, slim sneaker style tied to English football casuals, who adopted the Samba on the stadium terraces in the late 1970s.
• Three Stripes - The three side stripes that mark the shoe as adidas.

adidas Samba Member Benefits

Members also enjoy Free Shipping for Members, Free 60 Day Returns, and rewards that stack up fast. Earn $10 for every $200 spent, plus 15% off for new rewards members.