From Soccer to Streetwear, the adidas Samba Will Be the Most Versatile Shoe in Your Closet

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Athletic brand adidas has remained front of the field as a maker of both stylish, casual sneakers and athletic shoes for over 70 years. Any soccer player is likely familiar with the classic adidas Samba shoe, which debuted in 1972 with a sole designed for icy soccer fields. The shoe has since dominated indoor soccer fields. 

But these days, Sambas are not just for soccer—the shoe stands the test of time as a trendy, everyday sneaker. Recently sported by celebrities like Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid and Rihanna, the Sambas are a fan-favorite both in pop culture and amongst sneakerheads. 

Here, you’ll learn about the shoe’s key features and things to consider before buying, plus our experience wearing the Sambas. Read on for a look at this shoe that continues to redefine casual cool over 50 years later.

adidas Samba at a Glance:

• Price: $100
• Sizes: M4/W5–M14/W15
• Colors: 22 options
• Standout feature: Easy to style
• Best for: Casual, everyday wear

What Is the adidas Samba?

The adidas Samba is stylish while comfortable, and trendy while durable, a hard combination to do well. The adidas Samba OG shoe has retained its retro, simple look, making it one of the easiest sneakers to match with any outfit. Whether you want to dress down and throw on a tracksuit, your favorite athleisure or dress up with chinos and a button down, the Sambas are one of few sneakers that allow you to do both. According to adidas, the Sambas are “from the archives but always looking ahead.”

Since this shoe is durable (think: a gum sole made to hold up during fast-paced indoor soccer games) and easy to style, they will likely hold a spot in your everyday wardrobe for years.

We recommend the Samba as an all-purpose, casual sneaker. However, if you’re planning on doing anything more than a couple miles for a walk or more than a light jog for a run, we recommend investing in some of our favorite walking shoes or long-distance running shoes that are built for those purposes and offer more support.

What we like about the adidas Samba:

• Versatile shoe with a timeless look
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Gum rubber sole is designed for grip and traction
• Originally designed for the soccer field, but can double as stylish streetwear

What to consider about the adidas Samba:

• Some reviewers comment the shoes are narrow
• Not made for wear over a long period of time
• Gum rubber can cause a “squeaking” sound on court and finished wood floors

Style and Design of the adidas Samba

The adidas Samba has the classic three-stripe adidas look. What separates this shoe from the similarly styled Superstars and Stan Smiths are its signature gum sole and suede accents, giving it more of a sporty look. Another minor difference is the Sambas don’t have the classic adidas trefoil logo at the back heel like the Superstars and Stan Smiths. With 22 different colors, you are bound to find a color that is right for you.

Wearing the adidas Samba

• Comfort, support and durability: I found these shoes to be super comfortable and very supportive. Though I only wore my shoes for a few weeks, customers rave about their long-term durability
• Materials: Synthetic leather upper, textile lining, gum rubber outsole
• Fit and sizing: Snug fit, true to size (those with a wide foot or high arch may need to size up)

I wore the Sambas out for five different test days before writing this—twice for a full day around the city with lots of walking, twice for a night out and once for a day of errands. The Sambas fit snug and true to size, though those with a wide foot or high arch may need to go one size up. I love how the Sambas slide right on—almost as easy to put on as a slipper, but with laces.

I found the shoes lightweight and super comfortable on my feet. The taller heel (called the "rake") means I’d recommend pairing these with socks that give some ankle protection and is a reason these aren’t great for walking past a couple of miles (as to avoid any heel blisters).

However, one thing you may notice if you wear these to play sports—the Sambas make a “squeaky” sound during quick pivots on hardwood floors, like a basketball shoe, thanks to the gum sole. You won’t hear this during everyday wear, but just know the gum rubber creates that sound with friction on a wood floor.

What People Say About adidas Sambas

Nearly 9,000 reviewers and 4.7/5 star-rating on the adidas website show these shoes stand the test of time. Of over 6,000 reviews on the Zappos website, 87 percent of these reviewers gave this shoe 5/5 stars. Customers love the style of the shoe from the synthetic leather upper to the signature gum rubber outsole to the simple, classic design. In the words of one customer, they are the “forever design that will never go out of style.” Another wrote they are “effortless and go with everything you wear.” Many reviews also mention wearers appreciate the different color options offered.

Many customers also love the comfort of the Sambas. One customer wrote, “Wearing them feels like walking on clouds.” Some customers did note that the shoe can run a bit narrow, so we recommend for those with wider feet to go a half size up for a little more room.

adidas Samba vs. adidas Superstar

The adidas Samba and adidas Superstars are very similar, and both are considered adidas’s “terrace shoes” (low-rise sneakers with rubber soles). Both have a very similar design, each featuring the brand’s signature three-stripe overlays. Some minor differences include that the Superstars are made with grain leather whereas the Sambas are made with synthetic leather. As for the outsole, the Superstars feature standard rubber, better for casual wear while the Samba is constructed with gum rubber, better for traction on indoor sport courts.

Another very minor difference is the Superstar has the classic adidas trefoil logo at the back heel whereas the Samba does not. Lastly, the Superstar weighs in at 6 ounces whereas the Samba is 11.8 ounces, although after reviewing (and wear-testing) both shoes, I found this difference negligible—both are great, lightweight options.

Looking for another popular adidas shoe? Check out our adidas Gazelle review.

adidas Samba FAQs

Are Sambas actually comfortable?

Yes, unlike other sneakers that take a while to break in, the Sambas were ready to wear right out of the box. I found these to be very comfortable walking around the city during a casual day out. 

If you are looking to be walking for several hours or running long distances, try one of our picks for the best comfortable running shoes.

Why are the adidas Sambas so popular?

The Sambas, Superstars and Stan Smiths are three of adidas’s most popular shoes and all have been around for over 50 years; they all started as sports shoes and quickly transitioned to street style. The Samba was originally a soccer shoe, the Superstar a low-top basketball shoe, and the Stan Smith a tennis shoe. The Sambas have remained popular over time due to their fresh look, comfort and versatility.

Do adidas Sambas run big or small?

The adidas Sambas have a regular fit with plenty of room in the toe box, but some customers find them to be slightly narrow along the sides. We recommend for those with wider feet to go a half size up for a little more room.

Final Thoughts: Is the adidas Samba Right for You?

Very few sneakers remain popular between generations. From Generation X to Millennials to Gen Z and beyond, you’ll see people of all ages wearing these shoes. The adidas Sambas have passed the test of time, as both a sporty shoe and stylish daily wear option. If you’re looking for a long-wearing shoe with traction and and off the court, these are the right shoes for you.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.