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The adidas Samba is not just a sneaker; it's a cultural icon. With origins that trace back to 1949, it was designed primarily for football players as an indoor training shoe. Its clean, unassuming design, however, has made it a staple in streetwear, blending seamlessly into the casual aesthetics of multiple generations. Today, its imprint on fashion is undeniable as search volume for adidas Sambas has increased by 497% from March 2022 to March 2023.
As the demand has skyrocketed, many have compared the interest surrounding the Samba to Nike’s Dunk Low “Panda,” one of the hottest sneakers in the last half-decade. According to analytics from Google searches, worldwide interest in the adidas Samba has overtaken the Panda Dunk throughout all of 2023. This showcases that more and more are going after the classic adidas design, but why?
The recent surge in the Samba's popularity can be attributed to a myriad of factors. The celebrity and influencer endorsement has been a significant push, with many of them sporting the Samba on casual days out or even on the red carpet. The shoe’s timeless design makes it a versatile pick for various outfits. Add to that its affordable price point, and it becomes clear why it's a favorite for many. Another noteworthy element has been the pervasive vintage and prep-core trends sweeping the fashion world. The adidas Samba, with its classic appeal, fits right into this aesthetic, making it a go-to choice for those wanting to channel that old-school vibe.
With all of that said, there are plenty of Sambas to choose from that are available right now on adidas. Down below, you’ll find a variety of adidas Sambas we hand-picked from adidas’ website. Make sure yousign up for the adidas adiClub as not only will you get the best deals on their website, but you'll also stay updated on the latest releases and trends. If these choices aren’t your cup of tea, you can check out all of the adidas Sambas on adidas.com right here.
The classic “White Black” rendition of the adidas Samba OG is a staple in wardrobes across the globe. Iconic details, including the T-shaped suede overlay, dark gum rubber sole, and metallic gold “Samba” text, add to the timeless appeal of the sneaker. For the rest of the sneaker, we see black leather hit the Three Stripes and heel tab while the underlays, tongue, and eyestays come in white.
Inverting another OG color scheme, the adidas Samba OG “Black White” retains the same details as the “White Black” rendition, including metallic gold “Samba” text and a T-shaped suede overlay. However, as the name suggests, we see black become the primary shade with white hits accenting on the leather Three Stripes and heel tab.
Providing some pop to the Samba, the “White Green” colorway sees the addition of green leather on the Three Stripes and heel tab. Just like other “OG” Sambas, the T-shaped suede overlay is present with this coloway getting a tan finish. Other details include the golden “Samba” text on the midfoot, blue adidas branding atop the tongue, and a gum rubber sole unit.
The adidas Samba OG in the “White Red” colorway follows the same pattern as the other “OG” iterations of the Samba with its white leather upper, accenting T-shaped suede panel, and a gum rubber sole. This pair, as the name suggests, features red hits on the leather Three Stripes and heel tab.
Lux materials take over the adidas Samba “Sand Strata.” The entire upper is enveloped in a butter-smooth leather that comes in an earthy “Sand Strata” shade. Details like the toebox overlay and Three Stripes are incorporated into the leather. However, the iconic “Samba” text remains in a golden hue. Rounding out the design is the off white leather heel tab and light tan rubber sole unit.
While other iterations of the adidas Samba come under the “OG” moniker, this adidas Samba “White Black” is more true to the OG soccer sneaker than any other. Compared to the other version, panels like the suede toe and midfoot are shaped slightly differently while the tongue undergoes a major redesign. Like the shoes worn by soccer players in 1950, the tongue gets an extended construction. Other details, including the gum sole unit and “Samba” text on the midfoot, remain identical to the 20th century version of the sneaker.
Skateboarders adopted the Samba into their rotation and adidas responded by retooling the model into a more skate-ready silhouette. Premium suede and leather take over the upper while two layers of Adituff toe reinforcement adds durability to the toe. Other features that make this version better for shredding include the molded sockliner, tongue wings, and a grippy cupsole for better feel and board control.
Everyone’s favorite mouse teams up with adidas to take over the adidas Samba. The Disney x adidas Samba Vegan in the “Mickey Mouse” colorway incorporates vegan leather across an almost-all-white design. Atop the tongue sits a portrait of Mickey from the 20th century while the medial side contains his famous glove hand making a half-heart shape.
Another premium leather version of the adidas Samba, this “Almost Yellow” iteration covers the buttery leather in a yellow hue. Details like the Three Stripes and T-shaped overlay on the toe come incorporated into the single piece of leather while we see accenting hits on the silver “Samba” text and off white heel tab. Underfoot, a light tan sole unit completes the look.
A true indoor soccer sneaker, the adidas Samba Leather “Black White” features a full-grain leather upper with the iconic T-shaped suede overlay on the toe. Details on this pair, including the serrated Three Stripes, extended tongue, and non-marking gum rubber sole unit, harken back to the ‘50s design. Not only is the sneaker durable, but the foam cushioning adds extra comfort to your step — whether that’s on the pitch or the street.
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. Concerts, music, trying new restaurants, and catching the latest movies are some of the things I enjoy when not writing for Sole Retriever. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
