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Slim, versatile and just a little bit retro. The Adidas Samba is still going strong as a staple on the streets of London. Are they sold out in your size and colour? Or do you think their time has passed? Here’s our list of the best alternatives (that aren’t the obvious Velosambas or Gazelles).
The sun’s out, and the legs might be too, but what’s stayed the same is the number of Adidas Samba’s making their way across London’s streets (almost definitely heading for the nearest park).
The Samba is an Adidas vintage classic. Created in 1950 for a German football team, the shoe was specifically designed for traction on tricky pitch conditions like ice and snow and was an instant hit. Over the decades it’s been evolved and improved – the iconic sleek design has become even sleeker, and the high-quality materials and technical features we expect of modern trainers are all there, without being the focal point. This balance of form and function is what’s secured the Samba’s place in trainer history. As well as the fact that it just seems to go with absolutely everything.
Today the footballers have been swapped for A-list entertainers like Harry Styles, Rihanna, Katie Holmes and Austin Butler, as well as what feels like 70% of all Londoners. And recently, Sambas have even been spotted on the feet of PM Rishi Sunak, who wore a white and navy pair in a Downing Street press video where he talked about tax. The less said about that the better.
So whether you agree that they’ve lost their cool or they’re just still sold out in your size, here are 10 alternatives that have a similarly sleek silhouette.
Adidas Originals Handball Spezial
Let’s start with another Adidas Original. The Handball Spezial has the same slim form and vintage look as its cousin the Samba, but with a soft gum rubber outsole, a slightly more pointed toe and too many colour ways to count. If you’re after the Samba style but with some summer fun, this could be the answer.
Where to shop: £85 from Adidas
New Balance T500
Coming in second (and taking the top spot from outside the Adidas universe) is a new evolution of a timeless classic from New Balance.
Originally released in 1982, the T500 was designed as a performance-focused tennis shoe. This 2024 drop still has the high-spec technical aspects of a tennis shoe, but with modern upper features like a suede and nubuck construction and perforated toebox detail. The elegant colourway of white and light arctic grey gives a very sleek look and means it’s easy to wear with pretty much anything.
Where to shop: £110 from New Balance
Nike Killshot 2
The second model of Nike’s Killshot is another fresh take on a classic tennis shoe, and it’s just as sleek as the Samba. Coming in three different monochrome colourways with a raw gum sole, this one’s all about the textures and finishes. And while it doesn’t have the stripes, the swoosh is just as good, right?
Where to shop: £84.99 from Nike
Puma Palermo
This classic Puma design dates back to the 80’s and has an authentically retro feel, making it a great alternative to the Samba. It’s a similar shape but has a wider set upper and slightly thicker midsole, plus it’s slightly cheaper too. The Palermo comes in a whole host of colours – neutrals, neutrals with a flash of colour and full clashing combos.
Where to shop: £75 from Puma
Gola Classics Elan
This is an iconic sports trainer that reps the gum sole. Gola’s Elan has that sleek, low look and comfy feel but with a full suede top and a range of colour combos. Out of the ten trainers on this list, the Elan feels the most vintage, and yet the colours bring it bang up to date.
Where to shop: £90 from Gola UK
Nike Field General
This iconic 80’s design from Nike looks like a throwback but it’s still a popular shoe today. Smooth and low, it’s got a classic football look and usually only comes in a black and white.
But it’s about to get new pop of colour with a fresh batch dropping on 16th May in White and Orange Blaze with a black waffle sole.
Where to shop: £89.99 from Nike
Alohas tb.490
Repping bright colours and sustainable leather, the Alohas tb.490 have a refreshingly European feel. But there are clear visual links to the Sambas and other vintage terrace shoes in the design. There’s a low top, raw rubber soles and bright block-coloured suede uppers with exposed stitching and perforated shoebox detailing.
Where to shop: £150 – currently £127.50 from Alohas
Puma Delphin
This Puma retro look is similar to the Samba in shape and side-view, but from the top it looks quite different. The eyestay extends all the way to the front of the shoe, creating one long line from top to toe. There are a few fun colours to choose from here too.
Where to shop: £75 from Puma
Nike Cortez Textile
This is the latest iteration of Nike’s iconic Cortez. It’s got a retro feel like the Samba but offers a slightly more technical look. The sponge-soft midsole and sawtooth detailing make it springy and give it a look that’s more obviously sporty. The Cortez Textile comes in a range of bold, bright colours, and you can even design your own.
Where to shop: £79.99 from Nike
Adidas Originals SL72
If all else fails, the SL72 is an Adidas retro classic that will probably never go out of fashion. While the SL72 could never be mistaken for the Samba, it’s lightweight, comfortable and shares the T-toe shape. But this shoe has a look that’s undeniably from the 70s, coming in various retro shades of browns, blues and yellows. So if you want to stick with the stripes but make a slight departure from the Sambas, this could be the choice for you.
Where to shop: £80 from Adidas
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