The History of the adidas Samba
The adidas Samba was designed in 1949 by adidas founder Adi Dassler. Originally developed for footballers, it was designed for playing optimally on hard and slippery surfaces.
Made from kangaroo leather, its innovative rubber sole offered the perfect grip for these conditions. The very first version of the Samba was made from black leather, with the now famous Three-Stripes logo placed on the side in white. Gold adidas branding accompanied the design, while the light brown rubber sole set the Samba apart from other adidas models at the time.
A year after the shoe was released, the 1950 World Cup was coming up in Brazil, a country that is very well known for samba and carnival. adidas wanted to present their shoe there and shortly before the tournament, they decided on the name ‘Samba’.
In the 70s and 80s, the Samba expanded further away from football and onto the streets, particularly in the UK. Football fans, musicians, models and celebrities alike all began wearing the silhouette.
In the 90s, skateboarders discovered the model, and for a long time, the Samba was commonly seen in skate parks and skate fashion. In 2006, adidas designed their own skate shoe, the Busenitz, which resembled the Samba and took its name from Dennis Busenitz, the famous American skateboarder.
Today, the Samba is still popular in indoor sports and on the streets. Its simple, clean design and retro style have turned the model into a sneaker icon.
adidas Samba: Answering Your Questions
When did the adidas Samba first come out?
One of the original models of adidas, the Samba was released in 1949. It was originally designed for footballers playing on icy surfaces.
Why is the adidas Samba called 'Samba'?
The name of the adidas Samba comes from the fact that one year after the shoe was released, the 1950 Soccer World Cup was coming up in Brazil, and adidas wanted to present their shoe there. Shortly before the tournament, they decided on the name 'adidas Samba' to better represent the shoe.
How does the adidas Samba fit?
The adidas Samba has a normal, true-to-size fit. However, the rather narrow fit means that people with wide feet should consider sizing up half to a full size.
Are adidas Samba unisex?
While the Samba comes in both men’s and women’s sizing, meaning women need to size down 1.5 sizes to wear the men’s version and vice versa, the Samba OG is specifically a unisex model and is available in a large size run.
Is the adidas Samba made of leather?
The upper of the adidas Samba is normally made from a combination of materials, including leather and suede. It’s also available in vegan leather. The sole is made from gum rubber.
Are adidas Samba indoor shoes?
Originally intended for icy surfaces outside, the adidas Samba can also be worn indoors as the light-coloured gum outsole leaves no marks, and is non-slip.
Are Sambas good for walking?
While the adidas Samba is lightweight, durable, and has decent arch support, their firm sole and minimal cushioning means that they might not be comfortable for long walks. They are, however, ideal for casual wear, indoor sports, and skateboarding.
adidas Samba or Gazelle?
While the Samba and Gazelle are very similar models, they have some key differences. The Samba has a narrower fit than the Gazelle for a snug feel, with a firmer sole, while the Gazelle has a more cushioned insole and more flexible suede upper. The Gazelle is more of a lifestyle sneaker than the Samba, which is designed for sports with its superior grip.
How do you style the adidas Samba?
The adidas Samba has a timeless and versatile look that goes well with different outfits. For inspiration on styling the model, check out our article here!
How do you tie the adidas Samba?
For guidance on tying your Samba laces, check out our Ultimate Sneakerjagers Lacing Guide!
How do I clean my adidas Samba?
An adidas Samba is best cleaned by hand. For the best results, remove the laces, then use a toothbrush to remove obvious dirt from the surface. Mix a mild detergent with some water, and use a sponge or cloth to gently scrub harder stains, or for suede, use a suede brush (water can damage suede). Use a damp cloth to wipe off the residue, then let them air-dry.
For a smelly sneaker, you can sprinkle baking soda inside the shoe, then leave overnight. The powder will absorb moisture and neutralise the smell. Shake out the excess before wearing again. Alternatively, you can use silica gel or activated charcoal bags for the same results.
Laces can be cleaned with a mild detergent and rinsed afterwards, or you can put white laces in a 1:5 bleach and water solution for a few minutes and then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
In addition, we do not recommend putting your shoes in the washing machine. Sneakers made of leather and suede can come out damaged. With shoes made of canvas or cotton, the risk is less, but the chance of damaged sneakers remains. So we recommend always washing your sneakers by hand. If you do put them in the washing machine, then place the shoes in an old pillowcase beforehand.
Where can I buy adidas Samba?
Do you have your eye on this model? With our sneaker search engine, you can browse the adidas Samba at different retailers and at different prices. Our release calendar also keeps you up to date on Samba restocks and new releases!
Notable adidas Samba Collaborations
adidas Samba x Jonah Hill
American actor Jonah Hill, known for his love of vintage streetwear and skater culture, collaborated with adidas on the Samba in 2020 to bring a 90s skate culture aesthetic to the model. He mixed bold details with premium materials on three colorways: ‘Maroon’, ‘Craft Ochre’ and ‘Green Night’.
Fatter, skate-style laces, oversized stitching, and handwritten branding were all designed to give the Samba a rugged, DIY feel, breaking away from its usual sleek look.
adidas Samba x Wales Bonner
British fashion label Wales Bonner has been collaborating on the Samba since 2020, dropping many premium colorways on the model over the years. Their most recent collaborations saw a pack of four premium Sambas release in 2023, and two subtler but no less striking designs release in 2024.
The chic 'Fox Brown,' 'Dark Brown,' 'Cream White' and 'Core Black’ colorways were designed with earthy tones, reflecting Wales Bonner’s DNA with their premium horsehair uppers.
During Paris Fashion Week in January 2024, the ‘Desert White’ and ‘Wonder Clay’ were unveiled with electric blue details on both a beige brown and clay white base.
adidas Samba x Sporty & Rich
In 2023, LA-based brand Sporty & Rich dropped three colorways on the Samba in ‘White’, ‘Cream Blue’ and ‘Blue Rush’. Combining a vintage, preppy aesthetic with a sporty look, the pack was inspired by 80s and 90s sportswear culture, aligning with the brand’s elevated athleisure style.
Popular adidas Samba Colorways
adidas have released many successful colorways on the Samba, and these are some of the most popular and all-time favourites.
adidas Samba OG 'Black' | B75807
The adidas Samba OG 'Black' brings the timeless design of the Samba in a black silhouette. Keeping its gum rubber sole, the black leather upper contrasts with the white Three-Stripe logo on the side.
The branding elements also respect the traditional look of the sneaker in gold.
adidas Samba OG 'White' | B75806
Flipping the 'Black' design, the OG 'White' is another timeless design on the classic Samba silhouette. A smooth white leather base contrasts with grey suede on the toe and the Three-Stripe logo in black.
The clean white colorway is the perfect versatile choice for any casual outfit.
adidas Samba WMNS 'Leopard Print' | JI2734
Featuring an all-over 'Leopard Print', this sneaker is a WMNS exclusive, pairing a hairy upper with creamy white leather Three-Stripe logo and heel panel.
The bold colorway was dropped alongside the 'Black Leopard', which features a slightly more low-key print under black leather panels.
adidas Samba XLG ‘White Gum’ | IE1377
In 2024, the Samba got a new addition to its lineup: the XLG. In both a ‘Black’ and ‘White’ colorway, the model retains the classic look of the Samba, but with accentuated details like a thicker gum rubber sole and embossed Three-Stripe logo.
The EVA drop-in and puffier tongue padding provide more comfort when worn for a long time.
adidas Originals Samba OG 'Collegiate Green' | ID2054
The 'Collegiate Green' has a premium suede upper for a more robust look, and paired with the gum rubber outsole, is a perfect colorway for those looking to stand out a little.
The white Three-Stripe logo and typical gold branding add calmer details to the bold sneaker.
adidas Samba OG 'Cloud White' | IE3439
A clean white leather upper, paired with grey suede overlays on the toe and a darker brown gum outsole, make the 'Cloud White' an incredibly versatile colorway.
The blue tongue label and gold branding on the lateral take centre stage with a pop of colour on the low-key sneaker.
For more FAQs on your favourite sneaker models, visit the Sneaker FAQ page.
