Can you try cutting in half the onitsuka tiger Nippon made ? In my view the leather does not look as premium as they claim it to be. I think there's a heavy plastic coating on top
The Samba and II models were popular in high school graduating in 2007 but during those 4 school years mainly with the Soccer guys wearing the older models that had lost their grip or the outer layer toe was not great. Most of them had the basic model never the premium Kangaroo leather version but most did get when they came out the green with white as that was and still is the school colors though they have added black into the color mix in 12 grade year that has stuck as the third color on most school team uniforms except the Cross Country is minimal black despite being the team along with the track and field team that introduced the color to the schools uniforms. Also, in high school a single guy in throwing events Wore the Samba who was like all field athletes forced to do minimum in sprinting due to a rule our school had but sucked so bad they him never run more then 2 times a year in sprint events unless the team needed him in to score due to injury. Anyhow in High School this thrower he wore the Samba when throwing due to the fact that actual shotput/discus shoes he wore out much easier due to how hard he pressed into the ground and these lasted much longer, a whole season before getting worn out, unlike throwing shoes that were $120+ that needed replacing sometime during the season with durability depending on the throwing model.
I was born and raised in Germany and while growing up, I almost only wore Adidas. Samba, Gazelle, HB Spezial, Torsion. It's nice to see that they hold up to their legacy😊
As a serious soccer player back in the day, the high-end Kangaroo leather versions of these were my favorites to play in; super responsive feel of the ball on your foot and held up great.
would love to see Rose Anvil cut up a pair of Copa Mundial Goals (indoor versions). I keep seeing mixed messages about it being full k-leather and synthentic so super curious to see how much of it is real kangaroo and what is not. I think they are going for the same price as Sambas nowadays so if it's full k-leather then at that price point it's a steal
Wanted nothing else on my feet while playing indoor soccer. They felt so natural to kick in. I swear sometimes it felt better kicking balls in Sambas than my cleats.
I'm approaching 40 years old and I've owned 6 pairs of Sambas. I have not been without a pair for over 20 years. They are bulletproof. Reasonably weather proof on account of using real leather. Wore them for almost 10 years as a bike courier on the Midwest through all sorts of gorrible weather and i never destroyed a pair. I wore through the outsoles eventually and would replace the pair. Amazing shoes.
^this. It’s amazing how over significant time you can wear a hole though 7mm of rubber outsole and the rest of the shoe be relatively intact. The Samba is definitely the best “desert island” shoe.
@thesimplecooks it's a great idea but unfortunately a lot of spd sneakers do not work well for messengers, seemingly the ideal market. Nothing much is tough enough for the rigorous demands of the job. A trendsetting veteran courier I know has a pair of regular Sambas, but he wears them in rotation with a collection of other shoes.
I just want to say that your channel is so important and useful for us consumers. I dont mindlessly follow trends, i do like to buy good quality products, but i also hate overpaying for stuff, i dont really buy designer clothes and stuff like that for that reason. I always try to find that perfect balance between price/performance or best bang for your buck if you know what i mean. Channels like this one really tell us the truth about the materials used and how well the shoes are built so we can actually know if we should buy the product or not.
In the late 90s, early 2000s, my sambas were my go-to shoe when I was making pizza for a living. Comfortable for 10 hour shifts, lasted forever, didn't slip, and cleaned up easily. Hands down, my favorite shoes ever.
There is no way in hell they could sell this version of the Samba anywhere near that price - we're talking pretty different shoes in terms of material quality(personal experience; I have a pair of $60 Sambas I bought 10 years ago, fabric counter is worn all the way through, there's huge toe divots in the insole, I wore the absolute shit outta those things lol. But they def didn't use the same materials that they're using in these $100 ones).
Bought my first pair in late 2016. Wearing them today in 2023 and other than replacing the insoles in 2022 they're great. I'm maybe "half" worn on the sole now and I have saddle-soap/cleaned the outside once or twice to get the white back in the stripes. Re-dyed the toe suede a few years ago with shoe-polish as it had greyed some but just that light care brought them back like new. Even original laces. Probably have more miles on them than any other shoes I've ever owned.
@@xploration1437 honestly imagine a basic shoe that still has to work as an indoor soccer shoe since some people will use them for that or playing outside. I’ve worn modern futsal shoes and they have a similar feel. They are flat bottomed for sure but the sole is wearing very slowly, I have some heel wear. But it’s not as like I’m wearing barefoot shoes and you can feel EVERYTHING under your feet. They are tight ish but it’s not to the point that they are squeezing your foot. No issues with the leather, it hasn’t even started to crack (by that I mean the top coating) for me yet surprisingly. I have no regrets about buying my pair and I don’t have to baby them. They have been soaked and trekked in. My experience is like this video says. I have also had another pair and it’s the same story. They are kinda low profile since they fit tighter.
I wore these from about 2007 to 2019. Had maybe around 8 pairs over the years. I stopped buying them in the last few years because I started transitioning to mostly barefoot shoes. But I still miss the style and feel of the sambas. Definitely my all around favorite shoe, and the only shoe I've bought more than two pairs of in my life. I will say the thing that always disappointed me was how fast the heels wore down to the little gaps in the sole, as well as how fast the lining started coming apart around the heel and arch. The rest of the shoe would still have so much more life in it, and yet those things always failed first.
I'm an Adidas loyalist and have been wearing them religiously since the 80's. After owning multiple pairs throughout the decades, Sambas are my all-time favorite Adidas model. I'm happy they have garnered the attention they deserve, however fleeting that attention may be. For a bit of history on why they have seen such a resurgence: Jerry Lorenzo (the creator and head designer of Fear of God) was seen wearing them in 2020 (approximately) on Instagram prior to his collaboration with Adidas and the internet went crazy. Likely due to the nostalgia for such a timeless, accessible, and fairly priced sneaker, the demand surged, and that ripple effect is still felt to this day. Either way, I'm happy that the Samba has resurfaced in popularity, because you're completely right, for this price point it's an incredibly well-made shoe. Awesome video.
I have owned a ton of Adidas shoes and I own 3 pair today, but honestly, they are not very comfortable at all. I love how they look, but I never wear them for long periods at a time
66 year old guy, used to wear Adidas country late 70's and they wore like iron. Uppers were CRAZY Durable. Have 7 different Sambas, 2 Samva Classic in whitey. Gazelles (Germany and Peru teams) vintage Gazelle. Spezial, Busenutitz , Superstars, Stan Smith Luxe, Mundial Goal (forefoot K leather) 1 Samoa, Samba leather shoes, Adidas Rom,. IMHO, Adidas sneaker materials build quality is difficult to match $ vs. Value. Still a high quality product. Wish Adidas wasn't such a WOKE company though, but love their shoes
Kangaroo Sambas were special. They cost around $120 when regular Sambas were still $50. I am one of those people who has owned many pairs of Sambas. I'd be interested in a video about adidas Gazelles. Gazelles were sort of a fashion version of Sambas. There were other varieties of Sambas as well. I had Samba Nubucks in green.
I still have my Kangaroo Sambas unfortunately the outsole has separated from the sides. They are so comfy and worn them both casually and in futsal games. Wish I can still properly restore them
As someone who always has a NIB pair of Gazelles as a “backup,” I thought the same thing, but then I remembered Weston is just going to tell me how terrible the pigskin suede is…
I've had 2 pairs of sambas, I wore both into the ground but it took 3-4 years per pair through new york winters and going to college. Highly recommend them for just a casual shoe
As a person who started watching your channel because of my love of PNW boots (I too was a wildland firefighter in my 20s), and also have been wearing Sambas since the 90s. I always wanted to see you dive in to these and was pretty stoked to see it on my timeline! BTW, only the Samba Ks were made with Kangaroo level. They were a special offering built on the success of the Copa Mundials (the most popular cleats of all time) but not offered for long.
I have a pair that I continually beat up since 2016. It was only a few months ago that the outsole fell apart. Can't really afford to buy a new one so I'm thinking of resoling it to a cobbler. It's a classic, versatile sneaker that gets even better as it ages.
I picked up a pair of the Samba K, deadstock, back in 2012 right after they were discontinued. The kangaroo leather is fantastic, very durable and much softer and more comfortable than calfskin. Ten years later and they are still holding up with just a tiny bit of separation of the cupsole on one of the toes.
There was a time I could have gotten Sambas for around 50 bucks at the outlet. Deeply regret I didn't pull the trigger on them. My dad bought a pair, and he still loves them even though the plastic peeled off on the heel.
My mom put me in those when I was 3. Has them throughout my childhood. Wore them in my 20s. 47 now. Still have a pair in the hallway. 44 years now wearing these shoes. They go with anything anytime. And they are comfortable.
It would be very interesting, if you would compare a pair of sambas to a pair of original GATs (German Army Trainers), to see how different or similar they are. Because GATs are also known as Bundeswehr Sambas and we're even produced by adidas.
I second this. I'd like to see more German footwear in general, but I love the historical aspects to these videos. Adidas should sponsor this video, I've had one pair of Adidas shoes in my life and I was like 12. But now I want a pair of these!
@@aurelije not really, size up and then they should fit perfectly. I also have wider feet, but they fit perfectly. And get insoles for them, after I swapped the original ones out for personalized ones and I have never had such comfortable shoes.
The Army Trainers are currently made and sold by Puma. The GATs are remarkably similar to the Sambas, which were introduced only four years after the war ended. My guess is that both have roots to shoes the Dassler bros were supplying to the Wehrmacht long before they split up after the war.
as someone from the uk, sambas are a massive thing with football fans. as a leeds fan ive had afew pairs over the years and the hold up really well. big fan of them.
@@fistofren3483 Hey, ich denke in GB war das früher schon so ein Ding.. ist wohl von ManUfans aus Italien mitgebracht worden.. Mainz 05, mein Karnevalsverein 😍
The Kangaroo version was always a special version that cost more. It was not standard. I had one kangaroo pair in 2004 to play indoor soccer - was awesome.
When it comes to these "OG" shoes, i ALWAYS go with the models that offer textile lining! Im prone to getting chafed feet and textile usually prevents that alot better then shitty plastic or plastic coated leather (Im even allergic to some fake leather coats)
I’m a soccer fan. So this was a shoe that I was always aspiring to have. I liked the look of the low profile fit. I have been wearing my white pair for 3 years while my UBs have only lasted a year. Also Kangaroo leather is the standard for soccer cleats (leather). My kangaroo leather cleats are soooo soft and pliable and feel unique on a soccer ball.
I haven't had a pair since I was in elementary school, but I remember the stark contrast in comfort they had compared to whatever tennis shoes I had been wearing prior. It looks like the line has been split into classic and og now, with og taking the higher quality aspects and classic keeping the original look. Would be interested in seeing a comparison of the two!
I got both the classic black and the white pairs with the traditional extended tongue for $75 each! I grew up playing football myself, so it’s awesome to have a pair of kicks that you can comfortably use in any spontaneous games that might present themselves while still looking great, even beaten up more!
I had a pair of Sambas in blue suede I bought in the mid- to late-1990s. I have no idea what hide they were made from, but they were definitely real leather, if only suede. I bought them originally for playing indoor soccer, but eventually they just became my everyday shoes. I don’t remember any backing on the tongue; it was just a plain piece of suede, IIRC. I can’t remember if I eventually wore them out or just gave them away because I stopped wearing them.
Man, I’ve always loved my Sambas, I’m watching this one through my fingers. Hope they’re still good! EDIT: Glad to see they’re still good sneakers! I have had multiple pairs of Sambas (including a pair with a long tongue, don’t recommend that one), but haven’t been wearing them over the past few years, focusing on more minimalist shoes and more upscale stuff like Greats. I’m so happy to see these are still good and that I can dust off my old pair with pride and wear them again.
Samba’s were a big part of the original late 80’s, early 90’s rave culture and as a result, most people from that era have owned a few pairs. I’ve owned 2, my wife around 4 and that could be said for a lot of my mates from that time. Samba’s are just really great comfortable shoes. They last long and they look good, that’s it in a nutshell. The samba’s are to dance music what the shell goes were to hiphop
Lol, what rave seen, my friend? Love parade is not a scene, its a mass event. I dont know of any housers that wore this, so im not sure what scene is that in the late 80s.
@@PinPinKula en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_house Lol, rave culture was way bigger than just love parade, and that came quite a bit later as well. And it’s ok if you do know about it.
It's definitely an interesting shoe. I got into it through soccer because at some point, that shoe was considered an indoor soccer shoe. Then I started seeing it around punk rock shows. In the mid-2000s, I remember seeing Tom from Blink and Billy Joe from Green Day wearing Sambas. Then, through skateboarding, Adidas launched the Busenitz which was also super popular and worn around the music scene. So, to me, that shoe in its many versions has always been very popular. In recent years, I thought its popularity had more to do with the white sneaker trend than the Sambas itself
Please do Adidas Romes/Roms next! Here in Australia in the 80's they were massive, you either had Romes or DB's (desert boots, with the corrugated wedge soles) no other shoes were considered :)
I've had two pairs, one in college about 12 years ago and another from about 5 years ago. They both have held up over the years. Definitiely got my money's worth. As a side note, I was introduced to the Samba through my hometown's music scene, they have been a staple in punk fashion for one reason or another.
I wore these shoes for years. Usually 1 pair lasted a year of heavy use. Hadn't thought about them for 20 years ordered a green pair when I saw the OG model on the addidas app a year ago. They make me smile and are simple and little rugged. No boost foam but feel like good cleats. Glad to hear they are good and its real leather on the outside. Thanks for doing this video!
I'm old now... but playing indoor soccer through the 90's-00's, the Sambas were a mainstay. Though maybe weirdly, I never thought of them as a 'street shoe'. I even kept them in their own bag. For me they were a purpose built, low center of gravity, minimally insoled, turf shoe. They got a bit hard to find in there somewhere, so I had to settle for some Diadorra's for a time. They were colorful and trendy at the time, but I had to send off for another pair of Samba's.
It would be interesting to have had this compared directly to the Puma Oslo City made for athletes at the 1952 Olympics, and a very similar but less popular shoe. Especially with the intro with the two companies.
When I was in 6th grade (around 1967) my mom took me to Sears. When we got to the shoes I saw a pair of white leather Adidas with black stripes. I had never seen running shoes before and pleaded with my mom that I wanted them. I remember what she said "$9.99! The canvas shoes you are wearing cost only $1.50." A little while later we circle back around and she buys them. I loved them and have mostly worn running shoes for the last 56 years. For the last 30 years I have been wearing Saucony Shadow Originals because they fit wide feet better than the other brands.
The Samba is the only sneaker that I've ever worn completely through the outsole. All others, including other Adidas shoes, have fallen apart long before I managed to put that many miles on them. That's probably why now, two decades later, I'm only on my third pair.
Also on my third pair after a decade, though I've replaced my latest pair with Pumas. Wore through the soles on two pairs of regular Sambas and started getting tired of the slick soles and high arches. Still have my Millenniums which are a great work shoe as long as grip and cushion aren't important.
I’ve been wearing the samba since I was 9 back on the 90’s and still think that there is no better shoe for kicking a ball, dancing, and playing the drums in. Good style and comfort is what has made them a constant in my collection
I've been wearing Sambas as my main shoe of choice since around 2007 and they are awesome. The ones I've always worn are the "soccer" version of the Sambas, the one with the longer tongue and non-removable insole. I'm wondering if the quality of the "soccer" version differs at all from the "street" version that you cut in half here.
Woman in my 50s here. Bought my first pair of Sambas this year as a result of the hype. They are really comfortable and I plan to buy a pair in a dufferent colour kater this year. I also own superstars which I love
Which ones are your favorites? Samba or Superstar? I always used to wear Superstar and now just ordered Samba OG, I was wondering if I made a mistake and just should order Superstars instead😊 Which ones have the most comforable soles to walk long time?
@YasmineSNunez I like both but I'd say superstars definitely if I was walking a long way. Also the sizing is different. For same sticker size sambas are smaller
I wasn't aware the Samba was 74 years old. Interesting to know how this stacks up (alongside some of their hiking boots) because I've currently got two £150 vouchers to spend XD I also had Adidas Neos a while back and they have made some of the best trainers I've worn in the past. Be interesting if you could, somehow, find a vintage first edition pair to cut up to see how it evolved.
Had a pair of the black version of these as a kid and at first I got them to strictly just wear as my indoor soccer shoe but I ended up wearing them almost everyday to school and everywhere I went because they were so damn comfortable and overall looked very good. I’m 27 now and I recently bought the white version of these like in the video. Made me remember why I always wore them as a kid. One of my all time favorite sneakers without a doubt!
My first pair of Sambas were in the year 2000. Since then I've purchased 5 pairs and the quality has been superb. The only ones that broke on me were a pair that I forgot in some moving bags. The shoes were pristine but the sole crumpled up and turned to dust on the first step due to lack of use. I've never bought them at 100 bucks but would definitely pay that much for them if it came to that. Definitely a timeless sneaker!
I am very positively surprised at how good the quality turned out to be. Watching your videos I've definitely started to temper my expectations on sneaker quality. I own a pair of Samba Classics because I wanted the arch support and since they're specifically advertised for being the performance version of the Sambas I assumed the OG was bad quality (sorta like normal Nikes in comparison to Nike SB or normal Vans in comparison to Vans Skate Pro) so I'm actually really happy it turned out this way.
The Samba was my go-to shoe in high school in the 90's. I basically had 3 pair at all times, a well-kept pair for indoor soccer, a daily wear pair that were a little scuffed in the sole but still clean, and a "work" pair that probably should have been thrown away. I was heart broken when they got discontinued, found the cowhide version when they were brought back nearly unwearable because it was too stiff. The Samba and the Copa Mundial made w/kangaroo went from the shoebox to my feet without a minute of break in fitting and flexing perfectly, I do miss those days.
I made a mistake of using a brand new pair of these for an indoor soccer game once, 15 mins in , the pain was so unbearable I had to switch back to my walking shoes, had blisters in both of my heels. Really shocking how bad the cushioning/support on these especially the inner sole around the back of the heels.
Love this type of trainer, I’ve been wearing “indoor specials” which are very similar for years, super comfortable, can be worn with anything and an iconic shape
I have several of them, they are great, an some years ago you could customize your shoe with any color for each part of the shoe, and custom stitching. But that option was canceled some years ago. Greetings from Germany
You are right about the several pairs per person. Ive had (og) sambas for almost all my adult life. The are comfy(after they rip up your heels for two weeks), hold up reasonably well to weather and look good (in my opinion). And they last (as opposed to my Reebok Calssics which i also loved but they didn't survive a single hike).
I have been wearing Sambas since I was about 14 in the mid 90's. I always will wear them unless they dip in quality. I have always worn the same black with white stripes and the longer tongue version. I actually think the leather on these might be a little nicer wearing even though it's the lower cost variant at I think around $75 USD these days. Glad you liked them!
Fun fact: I bought a pair of Sambas back in 2014 for around $50 and people just asked me why I bought such outdated sneakers back then. I nevertheless wore them until 2018 until I upgraded to a new pair of shoes. (NMDs that were 'instyle' back then) Funny to see that my 'bad' choice from the past is now a trend again. Nowadays I'm old enough to just wear what I like and what I find good-looking or trendy.
Been on sambas since 2008 as my daily driver. Cool to see that it’s not my imagination that these hold up so well. I’m a long time skater however I usually only wear sambas when I’m doing lower impact/casual skating where ankle rolls are less likely. Cruising and doing kick flips in a parking lot vs doing a lot of heavy jumping. They have great feel for flip tricks and board control and are way more abrasion resistant than they seem like they should be. Compared to a vans waffle sole it takes forever to wear down. I easily get a year out of each pair, more if they are just for walking around. That said the kangaroo leather days were noticeably better, especially for skating. Those would last 2-4 years sometimes.
I wore only one pair of black white stripes samba through out high school while bunch of my friends with converse chuck keep changing their sneakers every 6 months because they ripped. Though I wouldn't recommend running or playing soccer on these shoes though, it hurts so bad, but for everyday wear is great!
I still train and play in these…in virtually all conditions (they work well even on turf as long as it’s not too wet). For me, they’re the perfect blend of performance and durability.
I don't know about today, but when I went to school in Germany during the 90s it was pretty common to play soccer during recess or after school. It comes in pretty handy then, when you're wearing a shoe all along that looks good and is usefull for kicking, which is not the case with running or basketball sneakers. Even if recess wasn't used like this, it was a certain statement for not only talking about soccer but also actually practicing it. That could be one reason, why they have been so long around. It was more common to wear them in black though.
Great video and great information on this iconic sneaker. I don't own a pair, but you have just sold me on why I need a pair asap. Keep up the great work.
My take on the Samba's is that the design and leather allow the shoe to mold itself around a persons foot. They simply feel better the longer you have them. As an indoor football shoe it is fantastic. I could feel the ball through the leather and get just the right touch. I am currently looking to buy my son's first pair.
Wow - I had not even thought about Sambas for decades! I wore the soccer shoe back in the day. Your video has just inspired me to seek out a new pair. Thanks Weston... your channel is the bomb! and I love Toaster.
I used to wear Adidas football cleats in the mid 2000's and I had a pair of black kangaroo leather Samba cleats with gold highlights. Best boots to kick with. First point, I've never in my life had a shoe form to my foot as well as that leather did. You mentioning the kangaroo leather brought back my obsession with how nice those cleats were lol I've always had a pair of white or black Samba sneakers since high school because of those cleats putting me on. I am one of those people that recommends them to everyone. Thank you for doing this video!
You should compare these directly against the Converse 70s shoes! The specs on the 70s Converse are pretty good and they also cost $90 so it would be really cool to compare against the Adidas Samba
My first pair was in 2011 or so when I was in middle school. I’ve always had a pair since then. In my adult life I’ve only had two pairs since they last so long, my first pair still had a completely intact upper, the sole was just so worn out that rocks would get stuck in the little midsole pockets and it got annoying to hear rocks hitting the floor. It never got so worn down that my foot was exposed, it probably would’ve lasted a lot longer if I ignored the rocks. I’ve had my current since at least 2016 and 7 years later they’re still intact. Sole is worn down a bit but still provide ample traction and the leather upper is completely intact, the white leather is super scuffed and dirty but structurally perfect.
Great video. My was a manager for the Betts & Betts stores and Cecil Brothers from back in mid 60s to the 80s . I can tell first hand sadly quality has dropped terribly. My wife just bought me a pair of these from Bali. Apparently premiem quality for $60 australian. I cant wait to try them out as i havnt had a pair for 33 years.
I played indoor soccer in the late 80's early 90's and these were my staple. Local sporting goods store owner dug out an "old pair" he had with the smaller tongue and thicker leather, they lasted forever. I also had a pair of Samba K with Kangaroo leather, man they were supple and had amazing ball feel. I miss the days of amazing shoes like those!
I've had both and started wearing them back in the early. I'm 48 years old and I still wear them today because they're that comfortable. I think a lot of the rising popularity is because parents are turning their kids on to them that used to wear them back when they were kids. Even back then they had the synthetic heel cup everything else was genuine...
Im a 42 years old and I have been using sambas since early 90s! The great part about sambas is that the more you wear more comfortable they get! I have 5 pairs and I love them!
In Germany about 40-50 years ago, the white Samba was called Universal. All my soccer nerd schoolmates had the black Samba - I myself proudly wore the Universal. It was my skate shoe of choice, since Vans were not around at that time.
Nice one. Now you need to test the Adidas Handball Spezial OG and youve completed the 3 Adidas OG's (Superstars, Samba, Spezial). Another video idea to follow this one will be cutting the premium version of the Sambas (the Samba Deckon) that cost $30-$40 more and have bit more minimalist design and softer leather and sole (at least that was the feeling when i tried them both recently). 😉
I had some Adidas football shoes bought in 1964 when I played in school. Those were some excellent made shoes. I might still have them somewhere around here.
I started wearing Adidas after Vans stopping making minimalistic skate shoes in the mid-nineties. At about the exact same time all skate shoes became low top basketball shoes with extra stitching. The new style felt unresponsive to me, so the Sambas were a perfect alternative. PLus they had meaty leather in the "kick flip" area. They never wore holes or has issues with the soles becoming undone. They were perfect for the job. II just kept wearing them even after I gave up on skating. They were what basic shoes should be. Over the decades I've built up a fairly impress array of footwear. I do a lot of all season hiking, so I have many pairs of high end trail runners and boot. I alway have cool footwear like Clarks desert boots and a bunch of pairs of Wallabees. I have a pair of really nice outdoor buffalo boot / elk upper moccasins. I have a pair of LL Bean buffalo boots. I worked construction so I have a bunch old work boots. I even have a really pretty pair of Gucci slippers with Donald Duck. About the only type of footwear I don't own is basketball shoes. I could care less about Jordans. I worn them as a kid when I played basketball and haven't felt the appeal since. Within the past year I've gotten into western wear, so now I'm looking at cowboy boots. Which is what lead me to this channel. Anyways, I love Sambas. I wear them from late spring to early autumn. They they are still the perfect basic shoe, in my opinion. I still like the big tongued kind and feel like I should grow up at some point and go with the regular tongue, but whatever. They also go well with just about anything. Even a suit if you're trying to be that guy. I've been wearing an anniversary pair for that past several years that are black and stripeless. I'm thinking about stocking up on a bunch of pairs in case the quality starts to slip or the price rises too much. They were around $60 for a very long time and have jumped up to around $100 in the past 5 or so years. Oh yeah and they were also fun because soccer players always commented on them. So I got to tell them that I hated soccer and watch them go from happy to sad. lol.
Samba Originals SUEDE for me - slightly different, thinner foam sole towards the rear. Maybe a little slimmer, too... Two reasons: 1. Superbly soft at the toe and the way you can fully scrunch your foot without your sock ravelling up inside the shoe. 2. Driving. Look at the Adidas option for suede F1 driving boots. The slimness allows quick change of pedal operation without snagging the other pedals particularly heal-and-toe changedowns with a manual transmission (most US citizens probably don't even know what that means). I also drive an automatic transmission car. The soft sole allows highly sensitive feedback of the pedals allowing much smoother and easier operation and completely transforms the whole driving experience. If it's a long trip, I rmake sure I reach for the Sambas every time without fail. THIS is actually my No.1 reason I buy these one after another. I've had about 6 pairs over the last 30 years (and they last a long time!). Love them. And they're not even that supportive when running!
I first started wearing Sambas about 25 years ago when I played indoor soccer and fell in love with them. They've been my everyday shoe ever since. I love how simple and low profile they are, and I'm happy to know they're still a well-made product. I imagine I must have had several pairs of the older kangaroo leather versions since I've worn them exclusively since 2001. I've noticed a bit of difference over time, mostly to the design of the insole (I seem to recall a period when they had a very high arch support that I ripped out because I found it uncomfortable), but I'm not sure if I can tell the difference in wear between the older kangaroo leather and the newer versions otherwise. Granted, it's been years so it kinda blends together, and these days I'm not terribly hard on them so they tend to last a while no matter what.
Bought 2 identical black with white stripes back in 1999. They were that good. Ended up giving one pair to my best friend when he moved to the UK. Im still an Adidas head and have about 12 different pairs.
I don't know how to really explain it or even test it, but for a soccer boot, it's perfect for my foot. You just feel the ball so natural. I haven't played in a few years now. I had no idea they switched up the leather. I probably have like 4 used pairs from the late 90s early 00s.
Ive been wearing Samba, Gazelle or Campus since the 90's. Love them. I remember buying Campus for $25 in the mid-90's...then Limp Bizkit and Korn kicked off and it became the footwear of Nu-Metal and the price shot up to $60. Ill buy one of the 3 styles and wear them to they fall apart. Light, comfy, easy to slip in and out of. But every time they "catch on" the price bump happens lol
Sambas used to be the only sneakers I ever wore. I always bought the black ones. I bought one to two pairs a year depending on how active I was, and I wore them every single day. I only recently switched away from them because I want a wider toe box, but I'm having trouble finding things that I like that include enough cushion and zero drop and a wider toe box that aren't totally without support and cushion. I'm not sure my ideal shoe exists, but something between a samba and a branford is what I'm really looking for.
Get a high quality wallet, belt or MORE in the Rose Anvil shop here - bit.ly/44jXLNu
Can you try cutting in half the onitsuka tiger Nippon made ?
In my view the leather does not look as premium as they claim it to be. I think there's a heavy plastic coating on top
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The Samba and II models were popular in high school graduating in 2007 but during those 4 school years mainly with the Soccer guys wearing the older models that had lost their grip or the outer layer toe was not great. Most of them had the basic model never the premium Kangaroo leather version but most did get when they came out the green with white as that was and still is the school colors though they have added black into the color mix in 12 grade year that has stuck as the third color on most school team uniforms except the Cross Country is minimal black despite being the team along with the track and field team that introduced the color to the schools uniforms.
Also, in high school a single guy in throwing events Wore the Samba who was like all field athletes forced to do minimum in sprinting due to a rule our school had but sucked so bad they him never run more then 2 times a year in sprint events unless the team needed him in to score due to injury. Anyhow in High School this thrower he wore the Samba when throwing due to the fact that actual shotput/discus shoes he wore out much easier due to how hard he pressed into the ground and these lasted much longer, a whole season before getting worn out, unlike throwing shoes that were $120+ that needed replacing sometime during the season with durability depending on the throwing model.
you should compare the samba og's and the skateboarding version (samba adv), apparently there is a big difference in quality between both
Those are not real Sambas bro! 😂
I was born and raised in Germany and while growing up, I almost only wore Adidas. Samba, Gazelle, HB Spezial, Torsion. It's nice to see that they hold up to their legacy😊
Nice, it's amazing.
Berghaus still sound but almost every other brand is conning folk.
I'm really pleased and will buy a pair.
Their legacy, you say?
Gazelles are the best trainer of all time 😎✌️
❤❤❤❤❤
I had so many pairs of Gazelles as a kid. Blue suede with white stripes was my go to in elementary school!
As a serious soccer player back in the day, the high-end Kangaroo leather versions of these were my favorites to play in; super responsive feel of the ball on your foot and held up great.
I still have some of the kangaroo leather sambas because they were the goat
k leather is so soft they need to bring it back
The Copa Mundial indoor are the nearest thing now. Not quite as stylish but great for playing in.
would love to see Rose Anvil cut up a pair of Copa Mundial Goals (indoor versions). I keep seeing mixed messages about it being full k-leather and synthentic so super curious to see how much of it is real kangaroo and what is not. I think they are going for the same price as Sambas nowadays so if it's full k-leather then at that price point it's a steal
Wanted nothing else on my feet while playing indoor soccer. They felt so natural to kick in. I swear sometimes it felt better kicking balls in Sambas than my cleats.
I'm approaching 40 years old and I've owned 6 pairs of Sambas. I have not been without a pair for over 20 years. They are bulletproof. Reasonably weather proof on account of using real leather. Wore them for almost 10 years as a bike courier on the Midwest through all sorts of gorrible weather and i never destroyed a pair. I wore through the outsoles eventually and would replace the pair. Amazing shoes.
Wouldn’t you love to know about Velosambas with SPD cleats
@@thesimplecooks lol. I was not the target market for those. After splitting two pairs of chrome spds I switched to pearl izumi only for spds.
^this. It’s amazing how over significant time you can wear a hole though 7mm of rubber outsole and the rest of the shoe be relatively intact. The Samba is definitely the best “desert island” shoe.
@thesimplecooks it's a great idea but unfortunately a lot of spd sneakers do not work well for messengers, seemingly the ideal market. Nothing much is tough enough for the rigorous demands of the job. A trendsetting veteran courier I know has a pair of regular Sambas, but he wears them in rotation with a collection of other shoes.
I rode MTB's in the 90's these were great for my Clip cage pedals, the more worn soles the better till there wore through!
I just want to say that your channel is so important and useful for us consumers.
I dont mindlessly follow trends, i do like to buy good quality products, but i also hate overpaying for stuff, i dont really buy designer clothes and stuff like that for that reason. I always try to find that perfect balance between price/performance or best bang for your buck if you know what i mean. Channels like this one really tell us the truth about the materials used and how well the shoes are built so we can actually know if we should buy the product or not.
In the late 90s, early 2000s, my sambas were my go-to shoe when I was making pizza for a living. Comfortable for 10 hour shifts, lasted forever, didn't slip, and cleaned up easily. Hands down, my favorite shoes ever.
Maybe you can try the Mexico 66 by Onitsuka Tiger! Legendary sneaker and would love to see you review and cut it in half
$100! Have mercy! I bought my Sambas from Amazon 6 years ago for $30. And they're still in great shape.
There are several different levels sambas, all at different prices
If you’re at all interested, you may be able to sell them to a vintage purveyor of some sort for a premium now.
it seems like different versions are priced differently
@@colesisler582no he wont🤣
There is no way in hell they could sell this version of the Samba anywhere near that price - we're talking pretty different shoes in terms of material quality(personal experience; I have a pair of $60 Sambas I bought 10 years ago, fabric counter is worn all the way through, there's huge toe divots in the insole, I wore the absolute shit outta those things lol. But they def didn't use the same materials that they're using in these $100 ones).
Bought my first pair in late 2016. Wearing them today in 2023 and other than replacing the insoles in 2022 they're great. I'm maybe "half" worn on the sole now and I have saddle-soap/cleaned the outside once or twice to get the white back in the stripes. Re-dyed the toe suede a few years ago with shoe-polish as it had greyed some but just that light care brought them back like new. Even original laces. Probably have more miles on them than any other shoes I've ever owned.
Great to hear that they are made of good quality materials, just ordered my first pair two hours ago! Keep up the good work.
Had mine since 2020. I love my pair!
They shine and I don’t clean them and I’m pretty sure my dogs got to them at some point
How are they?
@@xploration1437 honestly imagine a basic shoe that still has to work as an indoor soccer shoe since some people will use them for that or playing outside. I’ve worn modern futsal shoes and they have a similar feel.
They are flat bottomed for sure but the sole is wearing very slowly, I have some heel wear. But it’s not as like I’m wearing barefoot shoes and you can feel EVERYTHING under your feet. They are tight ish but it’s not to the point that they are squeezing your foot. No issues with the leather, it hasn’t even started to crack (by that I mean the top coating) for me yet surprisingly. I have no regrets about buying my pair and I don’t have to baby them. They have been soaked and trekked in. My experience is like this video says. I have also had another pair and it’s the same story. They are kinda low profile since they fit tighter.
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I wore these from about 2007 to 2019. Had maybe around 8 pairs over the years. I stopped buying them in the last few years because I started transitioning to mostly barefoot shoes. But I still miss the style and feel of the sambas. Definitely my all around favorite shoe, and the only shoe I've bought more than two pairs of in my life. I will say the thing that always disappointed me was how fast the heels wore down to the little gaps in the sole, as well as how fast the lining started coming apart around the heel and arch. The rest of the shoe would still have so much more life in it, and yet those things always failed first.
Same problem with me. I also now use barefoot but I do miss the style. They’re just too tight, and the heel wears too fast.
which barefoot shoes do you wear now?
Same story here. Had Sambas for years. Using Lems Primal 2 barefoot shoes since a few years now. No barefoot shoe comes close. Have tried a lot.
Please review the Onisuka Tiger's. They are probably the only classic sneaker that I feel is as beautiful as the Samaba's.
I'd like to see that too. Isn't that as Japanese shoe?
Yes! Onitsuka Tiger GSM are my favorite sneakers.
With a miserably worse sole that wont last one single year
@@Checkmate025 you talking about fakes ones. Tiger GSM last years so don't spread misinformation;p
Honestly, 66 are much better
I'm an Adidas loyalist and have been wearing them religiously since the 80's. After owning multiple pairs throughout the decades, Sambas are my all-time favorite Adidas model. I'm happy they have garnered the attention they deserve, however fleeting that attention may be. For a bit of history on why they have seen such a resurgence: Jerry Lorenzo (the creator and head designer of Fear of God) was seen wearing them in 2020 (approximately) on Instagram prior to his collaboration with Adidas and the internet went crazy. Likely due to the nostalgia for such a timeless, accessible, and fairly priced sneaker, the demand surged, and that ripple effect is still felt to this day. Either way, I'm happy that the Samba has resurfaced in popularity, because you're completely right, for this price point it's an incredibly well-made shoe. Awesome video.
I have owned a ton of Adidas shoes and I own 3 pair today, but honestly, they are not very comfortable at all. I love how they look, but I never wear them for long periods at a time
66 year old guy, used to wear Adidas country late 70's and they wore like iron. Uppers were CRAZY Durable. Have 7 different Sambas, 2 Samva Classic in whitey. Gazelles (Germany and Peru teams) vintage Gazelle. Spezial, Busenutitz , Superstars, Stan Smith Luxe, Mundial Goal (forefoot K leather) 1 Samoa, Samba leather shoes, Adidas Rom,. IMHO, Adidas sneaker materials build quality is difficult to match $ vs. Value. Still a high quality product. Wish Adidas wasn't such a WOKE company though, but love their shoes
Kangaroo Sambas were special. They cost around $120 when regular Sambas were still $50. I am one of those people who has owned many pairs of Sambas. I'd be interested in a video about adidas Gazelles. Gazelles were sort of a fashion version of Sambas. There were other varieties of Sambas as well. I had Samba Nubucks in green.
I loved my kangaroo Sambas wish they still sold them were I live
I still have my Kangaroo Sambas unfortunately the outsole has separated from the sides. They are so comfy and worn them both casually and in futsal games. Wish I can still properly restore them
As someone who always has a NIB pair of Gazelles as a “backup,” I thought the same thing, but then I remembered Weston is just going to tell me how terrible the pigskin suede is…
Gazelle video would be awesome!
How can you tell the difference between the kangaroo ones and the other ones? thanks!
I've had 2 pairs of sambas, I wore both into the ground but it took 3-4 years per pair through new york winters and going to college. Highly recommend them for just a casual shoe
As a person who started watching your channel because of my love of PNW boots (I too was a wildland firefighter in my 20s), and also have been wearing Sambas since the 90s. I always wanted to see you dive in to these and was pretty stoked to see it on my timeline!
BTW, only the Samba Ks were made with Kangaroo level. They were a special offering built on the success of the Copa Mundials (the most popular cleats of all time) but not offered for long.
I have a pair that I continually beat up since 2016. It was only a few months ago that the outsole fell apart. Can't really afford to buy a new one so I'm thinking of resoling it to a cobbler. It's a classic, versatile sneaker that gets even better as it ages.
I picked up a pair of the Samba K, deadstock, back in 2012 right after they were discontinued. The kangaroo leather is fantastic, very durable and much softer and more comfortable than calfskin. Ten years later and they are still holding up with just a tiny bit of separation of the cupsole on one of the toes.
There was a time I could have gotten Sambas for around 50 bucks at the outlet. Deeply regret I didn't pull the trigger on them. My dad bought a pair, and he still loves them even though the plastic peeled off on the heel.
The original Retail Price in any Germany Sportshop in the 1980s was 79 Deutsch Marks..about 39$..
@@ricksworlddereaux2397 It's called inflation.
@@ricksworlddereaux2397 Until recently, the Runner's Shop Prenzlauer Berg on Schönhauser Allee in Berlin (RIP) sold them for €50.
I paid $45 for them in high school in the late 80s. It seemed really pricey at the time.
My mom put me in those when I was 3. Has them throughout my childhood. Wore them in my 20s. 47 now. Still have a pair in the hallway. 44 years now wearing these shoes. They go with anything anytime. And they are comfortable.
Thanks as always for explaining how good the shoe actually is. Could you take a look at the Adidas Continental 80 next?
It would be very interesting, if you would compare a pair of sambas to a pair of original GATs (German Army Trainers), to see how different or similar they are. Because GATs are also known as Bundeswehr Sambas and we're even produced by adidas.
I second this. I'd like to see more German footwear in general, but I love the historical aspects to these videos. Adidas should sponsor this video, I've had one pair of Adidas shoes in my life and I was like 12. But now I want a pair of these!
And comparing them to the Maison Margiela - Replica, high end ($600) version
Unfortunately Germans have narrow foot so we southern Europeans can't wear them
@@aurelije not really, size up and then they should fit perfectly. I also have wider feet, but they fit perfectly. And get insoles for them, after I swapped the original ones out for personalized ones and I have never had such comfortable shoes.
The Army Trainers are currently made and sold by Puma. The GATs are remarkably similar to the Sambas, which were introduced only four years after the war ended. My guess is that both have roots to shoes the Dassler bros were supplying to the Wehrmacht long before they split up after the war.
as someone from the uk, sambas are a massive thing with football fans. as a leeds fan ive had afew pairs over the years and the hold up really well. big fan of them.
It's a ultras/hooligan thing. Nowadays every die-hard football fan is wearing a black "The north face" jacket
They are excellent for running away. 9 out of 10 rioters recomme d them
@@fistofren3483 isn’t it the same with Stone Island and Nike Air Max 95?
@@tobias1752 At least not in Germany
@@fistofren3483 Hey, ich denke in GB war das früher schon so ein Ding.. ist wohl von ManUfans aus Italien mitgebracht worden..
Mainz 05, mein Karnevalsverein 😍
The Kangaroo version was always a special version that cost more. It was not standard. I had one kangaroo pair in 2004 to play indoor soccer - was awesome.
When it comes to these "OG" shoes, i ALWAYS go with the models that offer textile lining!
Im prone to getting chafed feet and textile usually prevents that alot better then shitty plastic or plastic coated leather (Im even allergic to some fake leather coats)
Have to say on the rose anvil wallets, I had mine for a couple of years and it’s amazing and looks so good broken in. Love it!
I’m a soccer fan. So this was a shoe that I was always aspiring to have.
I liked the look of the low profile fit.
I have been wearing my white pair for 3 years while my UBs have only lasted a year.
Also Kangaroo leather is the standard for soccer cleats (leather). My kangaroo leather cleats are soooo soft and pliable and feel unique on a soccer ball.
I had kangaroo leather ronaldinho cleats and they ripped so fast. It sucked. Super soft and comfortable but it got ripped so quick
@@austinwenger6366shoot that sucks!
Most Ronaldinho cleats are cool designs and super fun.
I haven't had a pair since I was in elementary school, but I remember the stark contrast in comfort they had compared to whatever tennis shoes I had been wearing prior. It looks like the line has been split into classic and og now, with og taking the higher quality aspects and classic keeping the original look. Would be interested in seeing a comparison of the two!
the leather used on the tongue of the classics squeak and the OG ones do not.
@@davidmckean955 squeaky tongues are the worst. My gazelles had that problem.
I got both the classic black and the white pairs with the traditional extended tongue for $75 each! I grew up playing football myself, so it’s awesome to have a pair of kicks that you can comfortably use in any spontaneous games that might present themselves while still looking great, even beaten up more!
I had a pair of Sambas in blue suede I bought in the mid- to late-1990s. I have no idea what hide they were made from, but they were definitely real leather, if only suede. I bought them originally for playing indoor soccer, but eventually they just became my everyday shoes. I don’t remember any backing on the tongue; it was just a plain piece of suede, IIRC. I can’t remember if I eventually wore them out or just gave them away because I stopped wearing them.
Samba was offered alongside the Samba K, which was Adidas’s premium indoor shoe until the Mundial Goal in the mid-late 1990s.
Man, I’ve always loved my Sambas, I’m watching this one through my fingers. Hope they’re still good!
EDIT: Glad to see they’re still good sneakers! I have had multiple pairs of Sambas (including a pair with a long tongue, don’t recommend that one), but haven’t been wearing them over the past few years, focusing on more minimalist shoes and more upscale stuff like Greats. I’m so happy to see these are still good and that I can dust off my old pair with pride and wear them again.
Samba’s were a big part of the original late 80’s, early 90’s rave culture and as a result, most people from that era have owned a few pairs. I’ve owned 2, my wife around 4 and that could be said for a lot of my mates from that time. Samba’s are just really great comfortable shoes. They last long and they look good, that’s it in a nutshell. The samba’s are to dance music what the shell goes were to hiphop
Lol, what rave seen, my friend? Love parade is not a scene, its a mass event. I dont know of any housers that wore this, so im not sure what scene is that in the late 80s.
I love them. Especially Adidas and sketchers Make solid white shoes and that's my deal.
What else I love about leather is that it's 3co friendly. As tough and great a material it is it will eventually rot away.
@@PinPinKula
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_house
Lol, rave culture was way bigger than just love parade, and that came quite a bit later as well. And it’s ok if you do know about it.
It's definitely an interesting shoe. I got into it through soccer because at some point, that shoe was considered an indoor soccer shoe. Then I started seeing it around punk rock shows. In the mid-2000s, I remember seeing Tom from Blink and Billy Joe from Green Day wearing Sambas. Then, through skateboarding, Adidas launched the Busenitz which was also super popular and worn around the music scene. So, to me, that shoe in its many versions has always been very popular. In recent years, I thought its popularity had more to do with the white sneaker trend than the Sambas itself
Please do Adidas Romes/Roms next! Here in Australia in the 80's they were massive, you either had Romes or DB's (desert boots, with the corrugated wedge soles) no other shoes were considered :)
I've had two pairs, one in college about 12 years ago and another from about 5 years ago. They both have held up over the years. Definitiely got my money's worth. As a side note, I was introduced to the Samba through my hometown's music scene, they have been a staple in punk fashion for one reason or another.
I was a punk 77 to 79 and wore them then. Winter Doc M, summer Adidas.
I wore these shoes for years. Usually 1 pair lasted a year of heavy use. Hadn't thought about them for 20 years ordered a green pair when I saw the OG model on the addidas app a year ago. They make me smile and are simple and little rugged. No boost foam but feel like good cleats. Glad to hear they are good and its real leather on the outside. Thanks for doing this video!
Onitsuka Tiger next man!
Yes, Yes, Yes, let the Onitsuka be the next review. Please.
I'm old now... but playing indoor soccer through the 90's-00's, the Sambas were a mainstay. Though maybe weirdly, I never thought of them as a 'street shoe'. I even kept them in their own bag. For me they were a purpose built, low center of gravity, minimally insoled, turf shoe. They got a bit hard to find in there somewhere, so I had to settle for some Diadorra's for a time. They were colorful and trendy at the time, but I had to send off for another pair of Samba's.
It would be interesting to have had this compared directly to the Puma Oslo City made for athletes at the 1952 Olympics, and a very similar but less popular shoe. Especially with the intro with the two companies.
Just got a pair today thanks to this review. Thanks for reviewing popular brands so that we can get quality products.
It's just a great timeless shoe from Adidas.
timeless! that's the word i was looking for. thank you.
When I was in 6th grade (around 1967) my mom took me to Sears. When we got to the shoes I saw a pair of white leather Adidas with black stripes. I had never seen running shoes before and pleaded with my mom that I wanted them. I remember what she said "$9.99! The canvas shoes you are wearing cost only $1.50." A little while later we circle back around and she buys them. I loved them and have mostly worn running shoes for the last 56 years. For the last 30 years I have been wearing Saucony Shadow Originals because they fit wide feet better than the other brands.
Finally!!!! What I've been asking for since so long.
Had my Sambas since 2020 (my best purchase) and they are still going!
Been asking for this vid too
The Samba is the only sneaker that I've ever worn completely through the outsole. All others, including other Adidas shoes, have fallen apart long before I managed to put that many miles on them. That's probably why now, two decades later, I'm only on my third pair.
Also on my third pair after a decade, though I've replaced my latest pair with Pumas. Wore through the soles on two pairs of regular Sambas and started getting tired of the slick soles and high arches. Still have my Millenniums which are a great work shoe as long as grip and cushion aren't important.
Same with Superstar
I’ve been wearing the samba since I was 9 back on the 90’s and still think that there is no better shoe for kicking a ball, dancing, and playing the drums in. Good style and comfort is what has made them a constant in my collection
I've been wearing Sambas as my main shoe of choice since around 2007 and they are awesome. The ones I've always worn are the "soccer" version of the Sambas, the one with the longer tongue and non-removable insole. I'm wondering if the quality of the "soccer" version differs at all from the "street" version that you cut in half here.
Woman in my 50s here. Bought my first pair of Sambas this year as a result of the hype. They are really comfortable and I plan to buy a pair in a dufferent colour kater this year. I also own superstars which I love
Which ones are your favorites? Samba or Superstar? I always used to wear Superstar and now just ordered Samba OG, I was wondering if I made a mistake and just should order Superstars instead😊 Which ones have the most comforable soles to walk long time?
@YasmineSNunez I like both but I'd say superstars definitely if I was walking a long way. Also the sizing is different. For same sticker size sambas are smaller
I wasn't aware the Samba was 74 years old. Interesting to know how this stacks up (alongside some of their hiking boots) because I've currently got two £150 vouchers to spend XD
I also had Adidas Neos a while back and they have made some of the best trainers I've worn in the past. Be interesting if you could, somehow, find a vintage first edition pair to cut up to see how it evolved.
Great review on the Sambas!
Can you please review yet another trendy sneaker of the year: Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66.
Had a pair of the black version of these as a kid and at first I got them to strictly just wear as my indoor soccer shoe but I ended up wearing them almost everyday to school and everywhere I went because they were so damn comfortable and overall looked very good. I’m 27 now and I recently bought the white version of these like in the video. Made me remember why I always wore them as a kid. One of my all time favorite sneakers without a doubt!
My first pair of Sambas were in the year 2000. Since then I've purchased 5 pairs and the quality has been superb. The only ones that broke on me were a pair that I forgot in some moving bags. The shoes were pristine but the sole crumpled up and turned to dust on the first step due to lack of use.
I've never bought them at 100 bucks but would definitely pay that much for them if it came to that.
Definitely a timeless sneaker!
I am very positively surprised at how good the quality turned out to be. Watching your videos I've definitely started to temper my expectations on sneaker quality. I own a pair of Samba Classics because I wanted the arch support and since they're specifically advertised for being the performance version of the Sambas I assumed the OG was bad quality (sorta like normal Nikes in comparison to Nike SB or normal Vans in comparison to Vans Skate Pro) so I'm actually really happy it turned out this way.
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The Samba was my go-to shoe in high school in the 90's. I basically had 3 pair at all times, a well-kept pair for indoor soccer, a daily wear pair that were a little scuffed in the sole but still clean, and a "work" pair that probably should have been thrown away. I was heart broken when they got discontinued, found the cowhide version when they were brought back nearly unwearable because it was too stiff. The Samba and the Copa Mundial made w/kangaroo went from the shoebox to my feet without a minute of break in fitting and flexing perfectly, I do miss those days.
I made a mistake of using a brand new pair of these for an indoor soccer game once, 15 mins in , the pain was so unbearable I had to switch back to my walking shoes, had blisters in both of my heels. Really shocking how bad the cushioning/support on these especially the inner sole around the back of the heels.
I'd like to see a video on the Adidas Busenitz sneaker, although maybe not worth doing because of how close in design to the Samba it is.
Love this type of trainer, I’ve been wearing “indoor specials” which are very similar for years, super comfortable, can be worn with anything and an iconic shape
Wish i could get adidas indoor specials here. I used to wear nothing else playing squash. I played hours per day every day. There was nothing better.
Once again we learn that the German baddies had exceptional drip
I have several of them, they are great, an some years ago you could customize your shoe with any color for each part of the shoe, and custom stitching. But that option was canceled some years ago.
Greetings from Germany
You are right about the several pairs per person.
Ive had (og) sambas for almost all my adult life.
The are comfy(after they rip up your heels for two weeks), hold up reasonably well to weather and look good (in my opinion).
And they last (as opposed to my Reebok Calssics which i also loved but they didn't survive a single hike).
I have been wearing Sambas since I was about 14 in the mid 90's. I always will wear them unless they dip in quality. I have always worn the same black with white stripes and the longer tongue version. I actually think the leather on these might be a little nicer wearing even though it's the lower cost variant at I think around $75 USD these days. Glad you liked them!
i really love your videos, especially on those vintage sneaker models!!
Could you maybe do the Reebok Club C Vintage sometime in the future?
Been wearing sambas since the mid 90's, comfort, flexibility, pliability and a clear feel for textures on the ground.
Fun fact: I bought a pair of Sambas back in 2014 for around $50 and people just asked me why I bought such outdated sneakers back then.
I nevertheless wore them until 2018 until I upgraded to a new pair of shoes. (NMDs that were 'instyle' back then)
Funny to see that my 'bad' choice from the past is now a trend again.
Nowadays I'm old enough to just wear what I like and what I find good-looking or trendy.
Been on sambas since 2008 as my daily driver. Cool to see that it’s not my imagination that these hold up so well. I’m a long time skater however I usually only wear sambas when I’m doing lower impact/casual skating where ankle rolls are less likely. Cruising and doing kick flips in a parking lot vs doing a lot of heavy jumping. They have great feel for flip tricks and board control and are way more abrasion resistant than they seem like they should be. Compared to a vans waffle sole it takes forever to wear down. I easily get a year out of each pair, more if they are just for walking around. That said the kangaroo leather days were noticeably better, especially for skating. Those would last 2-4 years sometimes.
I wore only one pair of black white stripes samba through out high school while bunch of my friends with converse chuck keep changing their sneakers every 6 months because they ripped. Though I wouldn't recommend running or playing soccer on these shoes though, it hurts so bad, but for everyday wear is great!
I still train and play in these…in virtually all conditions (they work well even on turf as long as it’s not too wet). For me, they’re the perfect blend of performance and durability.
I believe it was the Wales Bonner Adidas collaboration that propelled the Samba to its current popularity.
I don't know about today, but when I went to school in Germany during the 90s it was pretty common to play soccer during recess or after school. It comes in pretty handy then, when you're wearing a shoe all along that looks good and is usefull for kicking, which is not the case with running or basketball sneakers. Even if recess wasn't used like this, it was a certain statement for not only talking about soccer but also actually practicing it. That could be one reason, why they have been so long around. It was more common to wear them in black though.
Great video and great information on this iconic sneaker. I don't own a pair, but you have just sold me on why I need a pair asap. Keep up the great work.
The Adidas Samba has been a staple in skateboarding shoes as well.
i just bought a pair yesterday. Worth every penny!
My take on the Samba's is that the design and leather allow the shoe to mold itself around a persons foot. They simply feel better the longer you have them. As an indoor football shoe it is fantastic. I could feel the ball through the leather and get just the right touch. I am currently looking to buy my son's first pair.
Wow - I had not even thought about Sambas for decades! I wore the soccer shoe back in the day. Your video has just inspired me to seek out a new pair. Thanks Weston... your channel is the bomb! and I love Toaster.
I owned a few pairs in the 80s and 90s. Don’t know what the quality is like now but back then they were excellent.
I used to wear Adidas football cleats in the mid 2000's and I had a pair of black kangaroo leather Samba cleats with gold highlights. Best boots to kick with.
First point, I've never in my life had a shoe form to my foot as well as that leather did. You mentioning the kangaroo leather brought back my obsession with how nice those cleats were lol
I've always had a pair of white or black Samba sneakers since high school because of those cleats putting me on. I am one of those people that recommends them to everyone.
Thank you for doing this video!
You should compare these directly against the Converse 70s shoes!
The specs on the 70s Converse are pretty good and they also cost $90 so it would be really cool to compare against the Adidas Samba
My first pair was in 2011 or so when I was in middle school. I’ve always had a pair since then.
In my adult life I’ve only had two pairs since they last so long, my first pair still had a completely intact upper, the sole was just so worn out that rocks would get stuck in the little midsole pockets and it got annoying to hear rocks hitting the floor. It never got so worn down that my foot was exposed, it probably would’ve lasted a lot longer if I ignored the rocks.
I’ve had my current since at least 2016 and 7 years later they’re still intact. Sole is worn down a bit but still provide ample traction and the leather upper is completely intact, the white leather is super scuffed and dirty but structurally perfect.
Great video. My was a manager for the Betts & Betts stores and Cecil Brothers from back in mid 60s to the 80s . I can tell first hand sadly quality has dropped terribly. My wife just bought me a pair of these from Bali. Apparently premiem quality for $60 australian. I cant wait to try them out as i havnt had a pair for 33 years.
I played indoor soccer in the late 80's early 90's and these were my staple. Local sporting goods store owner dug out an "old pair" he had with the smaller tongue and thicker leather, they lasted forever. I also had a pair of Samba K with Kangaroo leather, man they were supple and had amazing ball feel. I miss the days of amazing shoes like those!
I've had both and started wearing them back in the early. I'm 48 years old and I still wear them today because they're that comfortable. I think a lot of the rising popularity is because parents are turning their kids on to them that used to wear them back when they were kids. Even back then they had the synthetic heel cup everything else was genuine...
For an extra 30 bucks you can get the Samba Decon which has all leather lining.
Im a 42 years old and I have been using sambas since early 90s! The great part about sambas is that the more you wear more comfortable they get! I have 5 pairs and I love them!
In Germany about 40-50 years ago, the white Samba was called Universal.
All my soccer nerd schoolmates had the black Samba - I myself proudly wore the Universal.
It was my skate shoe of choice, since Vans were not around at that time.
owned the old kagaroo ones about 30 years ago.. and still have them in tact. the sole doesn´t wear off at all.
Nice one. Now you need to test the Adidas Handball Spezial OG and youve completed the 3 Adidas OG's (Superstars, Samba, Spezial). Another video idea to follow this one will be cutting the premium version of the Sambas (the Samba Deckon) that cost $30-$40 more and have bit more minimalist design and softer leather and sole (at least that was the feeling when i tried them both recently). 😉
Thank you so much for cutting the samba. This information was very helpful. 👌🏻
Would love a sneaker like this that ditched hte plastic liner & went with textile and did not plastify the external leather.
I had a lot of adidas sambas in my life: as a kid for school sport, later for indor sports like handball or indoor foodball later for longboarding
Man, it's cool to see you finally reviewing my favorite sneaker! A staple of Casual/Football culture.
I had some Adidas football shoes bought in 1964 when I played in school. Those were some excellent made shoes. I might still have them somewhere around here.
I started wearing Adidas after Vans stopping making minimalistic skate shoes in the mid-nineties. At about the exact same time all skate shoes became low top basketball shoes with extra stitching. The new style felt unresponsive to me, so the Sambas were a perfect alternative. PLus they had meaty leather in the "kick flip" area. They never wore holes or has issues with the soles becoming undone. They were perfect for the job.
II just kept wearing them even after I gave up on skating. They were what basic shoes should be. Over the decades I've built up a fairly impress array of footwear. I do a lot of all season hiking, so I have many pairs of high end trail runners and boot. I alway have cool footwear like Clarks desert boots and a bunch of pairs of Wallabees. I have a pair of really nice outdoor buffalo boot / elk upper moccasins. I have a pair of LL Bean buffalo boots. I worked construction so I have a bunch old work boots. I even have a really pretty pair of Gucci slippers with Donald Duck. About the only type of footwear I don't own is basketball shoes. I could care less about Jordans. I worn them as a kid when I played basketball and haven't felt the appeal since. Within the past year I've gotten into western wear, so now I'm looking at cowboy boots. Which is what lead me to this channel.
Anyways, I love Sambas. I wear them from late spring to early autumn. They they are still the perfect basic shoe, in my opinion. I still like the big tongued kind and feel like I should grow up at some point and go with the regular tongue, but whatever. They also go well with just about anything. Even a suit if you're trying to be that guy. I've been wearing an anniversary pair for that past several years that are black and stripeless.
I'm thinking about stocking up on a bunch of pairs in case the quality starts to slip or the price rises too much. They were around $60 for a very long time and have jumped up to around $100 in the past 5 or so years.
Oh yeah and they were also fun because soccer players always commented on them. So I got to tell them that I hated soccer and watch them go from happy to sad. lol.
Loving the Red Bull cap, I see you supporting the 10th win with this upload
Samba Originals SUEDE for me - slightly different, thinner foam sole towards the rear. Maybe a little slimmer, too...
Two reasons:
1. Superbly soft at the toe and the way you can fully scrunch your foot without your sock ravelling up inside the shoe.
2. Driving. Look at the Adidas option for suede F1 driving boots. The slimness allows quick change of pedal operation without snagging the other pedals particularly heal-and-toe changedowns with a manual transmission (most US citizens probably don't even know what that means). I also drive an automatic transmission car. The soft sole allows highly sensitive feedback of the pedals allowing much smoother and easier operation and completely transforms the whole driving experience. If it's a long trip, I rmake sure I reach for the Sambas every time without fail. THIS is actually my No.1 reason I buy these one after another. I've had about 6 pairs over the last 30 years (and they last a long time!). Love them. And they're not even that supportive when running!
I first started wearing Sambas about 25 years ago when I played indoor soccer and fell in love with them. They've been my everyday shoe ever since. I love how simple and low profile they are, and I'm happy to know they're still a well-made product. I imagine I must have had several pairs of the older kangaroo leather versions since I've worn them exclusively since 2001. I've noticed a bit of difference over time, mostly to the design of the insole (I seem to recall a period when they had a very high arch support that I ripped out because I found it uncomfortable), but I'm not sure if I can tell the difference in wear between the older kangaroo leather and the newer versions otherwise. Granted, it's been years so it kinda blends together, and these days I'm not terribly hard on them so they tend to last a while no matter what.
I bought my Samba on a sale in an outlet store for $7.95 in 2015. Still wearing it up to now.
Bought 2 identical black with white stripes back in 1999. They were that good. Ended up giving one pair to my best friend when he moved to the UK. Im still an Adidas head and have about 12 different pairs.
I wore these in the 70s for indoor gym classes... looking exactly like this ... and I loved it .. .and the leather was indestructable. ...
I don't know how to really explain it or even test it, but for a soccer boot, it's perfect for my foot. You just feel the ball so natural. I haven't played in a few years now. I had no idea they switched up the leather. I probably have like 4 used pairs from the late 90s early 00s.
Ive been wearing Samba, Gazelle or Campus since the 90's. Love them. I remember buying Campus for $25 in the mid-90's...then Limp Bizkit and Korn kicked off and it became the footwear of Nu-Metal and the price shot up to $60. Ill buy one of the 3 styles and wear them to they fall apart. Light, comfy, easy to slip in and out of. But every time they "catch on" the price bump happens lol
Sambas used to be the only sneakers I ever wore. I always bought the black ones. I bought one to two pairs a year depending on how active I was, and I wore them every single day. I only recently switched away from them because I want a wider toe box, but I'm having trouble finding things that I like that include enough cushion and zero drop and a wider toe box that aren't totally without support and cushion. I'm not sure my ideal shoe exists, but something between a samba and a branford is what I'm really looking for.
Best shoes ever, still have my first pair of black sambas from 2014 and still going almost a decade later. Now have a white pair as well, love them!