Now timeless low-top sneakers, the adidas Originals Samba and the adidas Originals Handball Spezial are both part of the Terrace collection from the 3-stripes brand. Often compared with difficulty, here we look at the differences between the two successful silhouettes.
History & Origin
The adidas Samba was originally a pair of soccer boots, first introduced in 1950.
Over the years, it has evolved in a variety of forms to suit different practices: cleats, indoor soccer, training, etc.
The adidas Handball Spezial was born in the 70s, at a time when handball was making a comeback in Europe and the rest of the world.
The German brand, already well established at the time, created a new silhouette to meet the particular demands of this sport, which included speed, responsiveness, stability and comfort.
Materials
In terms of materials, the adidas Samba was originally made from Kangaroo leather, which was softer and offered a better feel between foot and ball.
Today, most editions of the Samba retain a full-grain leather upper. A suede T-toe reinforces the front of the shoe for added durability, which in this case is particularly tested by the impact of the ball.
Finally, the sole is made of gum rubber for optimum traction and durability.
The adidas Handball Spezial, on the other hand, features a suede upper with adidas stripes and a leather heel tab.
Arriving 20 years later and corresponding to the practice of another sport, the predominant choice of suede is simply explained by its more flexible qualities than leather during effort and the absence of striking with the foot in handball.
Like its sister model, the Samba, the sole is made of rubber with the same properties.
Shape & Look
The adidas Samba is often referred to as the ultimate OG that created this iconic low-profile silhouette on the border between sport and fashion. Its leather visual adds a chic touch that blends perfectly with both casual and dressy outfits. Its suede-reinforced toe and serrated rubber sole make it easily recognizable. The tongue features adidas Originals branding delineated by a vertically positioned rectangle.
The adidas Spezial retains a retro vibe with a slimmer silhouette and overall lines less rounded than the samba. At the rear, the ankle collar is slightly higher.
At the forefoot, the toe box slims down and the T- toe, slimmer than the sambas, blends into the suede look, generally in the same color as the rest of the upper.
The sole is slightly thicker on the Spezial, giving the shoe an encapsulated look that overlaps the adidas 3-stripes a little more.
The midsole also features stamped adidas Originals branding on the rear side and perforations on the front. A horizontally embroidered patch displays the pair's name on the tongue.
Last but not least, certain colorways can be varied by opting for round laces that are both more durable and more distinctive.
Comfort
The adidas Samba does not include any structural comfort elements or special footwear technology. (Remember that the current model dates back to the 70s).
The result is a very minimalist comfort without padding, with a very ground-like, firm feel underfoot.
The adidas Handball Spezial is known for being more comfortable than the Samba. In fact, its suede upper construction makes it softer, more flexible & cushy.
Unlike the Samba, its insole includes arch support and extra padding under the heel, which make a notable difference. Apart from that, the Spezial doesn't include any of the latest cushioning or comfort technology either.
Nevertheless, whether you choose one or the other, comfort remains perfectly acceptable for an everyday casual use.
Price
In terms of price (at the time of writing), the 2 pairs remain in the same range, with an average price (excluding collaborations and other limited series) of €120/£95 for the Samba and €110/£90 for the Handball Spezial.
Note, however, that this comparison is reversed in the US, with an average price of $100 for the Samba and $110 for the Spezial.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the adidas Samba and the adidas Handball Spezial were both born out of a need for performance in indoor sports. Since then, they've gone their own way, becoming must-have models for everyday wear.
Their main differences lie in materials, comfort, silhouette and, of course, their sport of origin.
The look on the feet remains very similar and super-easy to wear with all types of outfits. Feel free to try them out and let your taste be your guide.
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