Adidas Samba Classic

Among the models belonging to the famed sports shoes series, the Adidas Samba Classic is indeed the most classic version of them all. Initially designed as an indoors soccer training shoe, the Samba Classic established itself as both a sports and a leisure shoe. In the six decades that followed the model's first issue, its appearance is still recognizable and preferred over many other models of the Adidas company.

How To Tell An Adidas Samba Classic

The shoe is still made with a full-grained black leather upper, the three white stripes on the side, and it has never changed in all these years that passed since the first Samba Classic was ever sold. Only recently Adidas released a new white-with-black-stripes version of the shoe, offering a stylish variation on the popular classic model.

Pro: Leather is waterproof; the shoes can be worn all year round, under any weather conditions, keeping your feet dry and warm.

The distinctive long tongue is the trait that mostly distinguishes the Adidas Samba Classic. The tongue can fold over the shoe laces keeping them in place. Should the tongue prove hard to fold, you should consider finding a way of keeping it folded while in storage to help it keep the desired shape.

Pro: The tongue makes the shoes very easy to slip into, without having to untie the laces.

The typical tan gum sole of the Sambas is ever-present, this time with a characteristic sole profile that really tells the particular model apart from the stack. They feature a zigzagged rear-half sole for traction and a front-half sole with suction cups for better grip onto frozen icy grounds.

The Adidas Samba Classic, For Training and For Leisure

As mentioned above, the particular model was designed to be an indoors soccer training shoe – and a successful one, at that! This means that it must (and does) meet certain requirements for high performance, such as:

- Excellent traction. Slip-resistant on indoors (e.g. gym) hardwood surfaces, as well as on artificial turf. Also great for street play.

- Great touch and feel of the ball and of the road.

- Enhanced durability. Their full-shell gum sole does not wear easily – unlike other shoes, where a thin layer of tread is merely pasted on foam. Stout craftsmanship; the leather holds well on the sole; solid stitching; stylish robust toe cap for best kicks and protection of the leather toe box. You’ll need a whole lot of practice to wear them out.

- Flexibility and comfort. After you’ve worn the Adidas Samba Classic a few times, their full-grained leather upper will take the shape of your feet, making you feel like you're almost not wearing shoes. Additionally, their padded collar will prevent your skin from getting blistered on the ankle area, if you are into harsh training or long walks.

Caveat: Like most flat-soled sneakers, the Samba Classic does not provide especially for the best arch support. If you happen to have high arches, you might consider using shoe inserts manufactured by a good orthotics lab.

A Classic Casual

The Adidas Samba Classic shoes are not only good and sturdy trainers – they are light and comfortable and you can wear them for hours, in different situations and with various attires. They are classic casual and street fashion and they will certainly make a smart impression with your best jeans or with your fit-for-all casual pants, saving the stylistic day on many occasions. Better not wear them with shorts or tights, though, as they will look a bit bulky.

The leather is waterproof, allowing playing and walking on wet grounds or with rain. Wear and tear will most likely be long to leave its marks on this solidly built shoe - the Samba Classics can demonstrate a loyal following on the mere account of their durability.