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There’s something about sneakers that seems to make everyone, and I mean everyone, stop in their tracks—literally. Over the past handful of years, specific styles like the Adidas Stan Smith, Nike AF1s, and New Balance’s 990s and 550s have taken to the streets in waves, where seemingly every sartorially savvy person donned a pair (or two). Up next? The Adidas Samba sneaker.
Yes, fashion-forward ladies will always covet the latest accessories that are stomping down the runways (and the best 2023 shoe trends are ones not to miss). But, whether it’s the undeniable comfort or the affordable price point (Sambas typically retail for $100 or less), there’s a gravitational pull towards Adidas’ latest bestseller—and it only became stronger when It girls like Bella Hadid, Jennie Kim, Hailey Bieber, and Kendall Jenner, among many others, gave the footwear their respective stamps of approval.
Naturally, with star power like that backing the shoe, it comes as no surprise the Samba has gained traction as one of the must-have sneakers to own. Celebrity endorsements aside, you may be asking yourself, “Why are Adidas Sambas so popular?” Let’s take a quick deep dive.
Like most iconic fashion pieces, the Adidas Samba comes with a history, dating back to 1949. Adidas originally designed the shoe as a men’s soccer sneaker with gum soles for hard surfaces and icy conditions. One year later, the brand officially dubbed the sneaker the Samba, timed to the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Since then, the shoe has evolved into what we now know as the Adidas Samba OG.
As with most trending items that center the Venn diagram of comfort, affordability, and style (with bonus points for being celebrity-approved), the Adidas Samba has reached cult status—which also means it’s sold out nearly everywhere. More popular colorways like black and white are currently out of stock in most women’s sizes. However, you’ll likely find a pair on resale sites like Stockx and GOAT, just at a higher-than-retail price. (The fun part about that, however, is that you might find a past-season colorway you didn’t know you always needed). If you prefer to maintain a $100-or-less budget, fret not—there are still plenty of Sambas to go around.
Below, I’ve found a small handful of in-stock styles from various retailers, including Adidas and Amazon. If you’re keen on adding a pair to your closet, you’ll want to snap these up ASAP—just be sure to double-check your size, as most options are listed for men. Happy shopping!
Shop Adidas Samba Sneakers
Adidas Samba Vegan Shoes
Adidas Samba Classic Soccer Shoe
Adidas Samba OG Shoes
Adidas Samba Manchester United Shoes
Dale Arden Chong is the Senior Fashion Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Previously, she was an editor at MensHealth.com and has written for Who What Wear, GLAMOUR, The Coveteur, and more. She loves fashion, food, and art, among other things—but her greatest love is K-pop idol V of BTS.