Are adidas Spezial Shoes the Next Sambas? Here’s Everything to Know About This Trending Sneaker.
Nikki Chwatt
Style Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD
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There’s a new It sneaker that’s quietly making its way to Samba-level popularity status: Keep your eyes peeled, and you’ll see adidas Spezial sneakers all over the streets this season.
While I’ve been aware of the Spezial for some time, the shoe wasn’t on my fashion radar until a friend told me she bought the Three Stripes style when she couldn’t get her hands on the Samba sneakers. After hearing that she chose the Spezial as her second option — and seeing how stylish these throwback sneakers are in person — I researched the Spezial to learn why it isn’t as widely known. After a quick search, I discovered that the beauty of the Spezial is that although it isn’t one of adidas’ most famous styles, it has a retro silhouette that feels spot on for today’s trends.
The adidas Spezial consists of the German label’s classic striped branding on the upper, a tonal logo imprint on the rubber midsole, and an adidas logo atop the tongue, offering subtle and understated details that are ideal for those who prefer a subdued style of dressing.
Since the conversation with my friend, I’ve noticed the shoe stepping boldly into the world of famous adidas retro sneakers. I’m not just guessing, by the way — this sneaker has slowly but surely taken over the streets of New York City, Copenhagen, and Paris, worn by celebrities like Gal Gadot and influencers such as Audrey Notebaert and Juti K. Plus, the numbers speak for themselves. The #adiasspezial hashtag currently boasts over 390,000 posts on Instagram and over 147 million (and counting!) views on TikTok, which includes men and women explaining why they’re the best adidas shoes, as well as offering chic ways to style them. But that’s not all — Google searches for the shoe are up 130 percent in the past 90 days, according to Google Trends.
Before popping up on our social media feeds and accompanying the likes of the surging Samba, adidas Campus 00s shoes, and Gazelle sneakers, the Spezial was forged on the handball courts of Germany. There, it developed a distinct association with British youth culture, particularly working class and football fashion.
As it stands, this shoe is available in a near-full size run on adidas’ website, but not for long, so keep scrolling to get your hands on the rotational staple before it’s all gone.
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The History of the adidas Spezial Sneakers
Like the majority of adidas’ sneaker styles, the original Spezial trainer was all about performance. Launched in 1977, the Handball Spezial was a lightweight-yet-durable shoe style for indoor courts. (It was even worn by players during the World Handball Championships in the late 1970s.) The sneaker was made with a high-quality suede upper, a thick gum sole, and reinforced heel panel so players could easily move around the court for optimal speed with great traction and support.
While the shoe was recognized as an excellent handball shoe in the late ’70s, by the early ’80s, it had new appeal as a stylish sneaker for casual wear. Sports players and fans alike enjoyed the shoe’s comfort and sporty aesthetic — the Spezial looks just as good with jerseys as it does with jeans and a T-shirt.
In 1982, the Handball Spezial was produced in red and white, white and black, and white and blue; however, adidas has since expanded these colors, re-introducing it in hues such as cobalt blue with red, dark blue with mustard yellow, beige with black, and many more multicolored iterations. The classic indoor trainer has even been updated with smooth leather uppers on top of the signature gum soles, adding longevity to an iconic silhouette.
Although the adidas Handball Spezial might not be a style that previously had global recognition, its minimalist appearance has allowed it to make a name for itself in the fashion zeitgeist where stealth wealth has taken over. Plus, collaborations with Liam Gallagher, C.P. Company, and Maharishi have certainly helped the sneaker go from an adidas walking sneaker worn by elite handball players to now being worn by elite fashion tastemakers.
Shop adidas Spezial Shoes
Materials: Leather upper, rubber sole
Materials: Leather upper, rubber sole
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Meet the Author
Nikki Chwatt is the Style Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits shopping stories on celebrity style, the latest fashion trends, and new shoe releases. Before joining Footwear News, Chwatt wrote for publications, including Editorialist. In her spare time, she enjoys scrolling through her favorite retailers and social platforms to stay up to date on the latest, greatest, and classics of what people wear, buy, and love. As a New York City native, Chwatt is always searching for the best designer sneakers to get around comfortably. As a result, she has an overstuffed shoe closet that consists of adidas sneakers.
