Let’s be clear on something: you can debate sneakerheads and menswear geeks on X on the merits of the Adidas Samba all day and all night, but they’re not over until Grace Wales Bonner says they’re over. And right now if she has anything to say about it they’re anything but. The British designer has been the Stripes’ most reliable collaborator since they first broke ground on their partnership way back in 2020 with, you guessed it, two pairs of Sambas (and a killer SL 72 years before that shoe became the new wave), hardly missing on the sneaker or apparel front over the last four years. The partnership has broadened with each seasonal drop, with Wales Bonner offering her take on kicks like the Nizza and even the Adizero Adios performance runner, but it’s clear her heart is with the Samba. Of the myriad of collaborations on the silhouette over the years from countless designers, hers are some of the standouts—and this week she’s dropping easily the best of the bunch.
Adidas
Alongside their first interpretation of the Adidas Superstar—a subtle variation on a timeless sneaker—Adidas and Wales Bonner are releasing a quartet of the coolest Sambas in ages. The unifying feature between the interpretations is a croc-effect leather upper. For the traditionalists, there are two classic Sambas in a deep navy blue and burnished tan with simple off-white accents, including a creamy knit tongue and a gum sole. The materials give the shoes a luxe edge and an air of ‘70s swagger, the sort of sneakers a young Mick Jagger would’ve lace up on a day off between gigs.
For a more far-out vibe, there’s a further two versions of the off-kilter Samba Millennium silhouette, which made its return earlier this year after a 15-year hiatus. This one splits the croc effect across the heel with either a space-age metallic silver or soft yellow suede over the rest of the foot, all capped off with the Samba Millennium’s altered sole split between gum and white EVA foam.
Sometimes the difference between a shoe being played out (which the Samba isn’t, but I digress) and right back at the center of culture is a great collab. Count these as those great collabs. The entire slate of new kicks is available today on Adidas’s website, alongside a stellar lineup of new apparel.
