![]() You’ll likely find a pair on resale sites like Stockx, Kicks Crew, and GOAT, just at a higher-than-retail price. Since then, the shoe has evolved into what we now know as the Adidas Samba OG.Īs with most trending items that center the Venn diagram of comfort, affordability, and style (with bonus points for being celebrity-approved), the Adidas Samba has reached cult status-which also means it’s sold out nearly everywhere. One year later, the brand officially dubbed the sneaker the Samba, timed to the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Adidas originally designed the shoe as a men’s soccer sneaker with gum soles for hard surfaces and icy conditions. Like most iconic fashion pieces, the Adidas Samba comes with a history, dating back to 1949. Plus, Sambas are notoriously comfortable and typically retail for $100 or less, appealing to the masses.Īrnold Jerocki The History of Adidas Sambas A collaborative runway debut in 2020 with British menswear designer Grace Wales Bonner reignited this historical shoe which later graced the feet of Bella Hadid, Jennie Kim, Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, Harry Styles, and Frank Ocean, among many others. So, why are the Adidas Sambas so popular? The two C’s to success: celebrity endorsements and collaborations. Yes, there are the Nike AF1s, the New Balance 990s and 550s, and Adidas top seller, the Stan Smiths, but few sneakers have been comparable to the footprint these low-profile gummy kicks made on the world (no pun intended). (You can thank TikTok, Instagram, and resale sites like StockX, GOAT, and eBay for that.) And one of the most undeniably popular styles in history that continues to reign supreme is the Adidas Samba. What once was a subculture reserved for in-the-know hype kids has turned into a global, mainstream phenomenon. That’s quite a stratospheric achievement for a pair of icy-weather football boots originally released all the way back in 1950.Sneaker culture has hit an all-time high. All of this indicates that adidas has built a classic, and if there’s one thing the Samba will never be, it’s dated. Later, in the 90s, like any classic pair of sneakers, the Samba drew on feelings of nostalgia to become the prime pick among the skater community of the time.įrom innovative World Cup winning beginnings, to nimble 5-a-side games, to the alternative 90s skate scene, the adidas Samba has now become a sneaker for the modern era. This more casual, street-style inspired game was played in towns and cities all across the continent throughout that decade, giving the Samba a massive boost in popularity along the way. In 1970s Europe, its quick, reactive feel made the Samba perfect for 5-a-side futsal. It is this design that has been cherished both by footballers and casual wearers over the years. This new design sits atop a unique tan gum outsole over a cupsole, has been given a larger tongue that can be folded over, is rendered in a simple black and white colourway, and, for a final touch of style, has ‘Samba’ printed in gold on the side. They now use more conventional cow leather and even offer pleather as a vegan alternative. The adidas Samba gradually shifted away from the utilitarian kangaroo leather construction of the first tough boot to the lighter shape of the adidas sprinting shoe. This cemented adidas’ reputation as a world-class football boot manufacturer. Following this, people began wearing the boot in all weathers, be it wind, rain or sunshine.įour years later, at the 1954 Swiss World Cup, the whole West German team wore adidas boots as they achieved a 3-2 victory over clear favourites Hungary in one of the most exciting football finals ever played. They gave it the name ‘Samba’, the same as the Afro-Brazilian style of dance, to appeal to the culture of Brazil. So, instead of foregoing the golden opportunity to launch the product at the World Cup, adidas got inventive. The plan was to launch this innovative new product at the World Cup of 1950, which was to take place in the Brazilian winter – not exactly the same freezing cold temperatures as those experienced by those playing in Europe. The original concept of the Samba was to help footballers play in harsh, wintry conditions without the fear of slipping and falling on an icy surface. No other football boot in history has achieved such a cultural leap, which is a testament to its impeccable, ageless design, its versatility and the global adoration it has received through the decades. But not only that, the adidas Samba has also achieved its own iconic status in fashion. The Samba was the first shoe ever to be produced by adidas, and, remarkably, it’s still being manufactured today, making it their oldest surviving model. Orchard x New England Revolution Samba ADV.
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