Adidas Samba appreciation thread. Here's my ode to Samba's, arguably THE best footwear designed and manufactured on earth. Samba's are basically made for football! and have been around since the 1950's when they were designed by Adidas for footy training in icy conditions. But through the years Samba's have proved to be an all round first choice item of footwear for a full range of activities and were even voted the number 1 driving shoe by some car mag once. I'm gonna go through what I use them for and why they excel for me and make my day to day living 100x better.
Driving:
As stated these clogs were voted the best shoe for driving! Taking this knowledge onboard I started my driving lessons and subsequently passed my test second go in Samba's. I also chose to wear them for my theory test where I scored 50/50 with 10 mins to spare. The hazzard perception was sailed through too, granted my Samba's didn't technically help in the theory test but just knowing I had the best shoe's ever made on my feet gave me great mental confidence. I do drive in other items of footwear, but 9 times out of 10 I slip on the Samba's, they feel so dope to drive in, perfect infact.
Day Job:
I'm a self employed painter and decorator, I need Samba's on for every job. Alot of my work is done up ladders, I require a flexible but durable shoe to carry out these tasks. Up the ladder you need good grip and the signature gum sole provides this in abundance. Some sites your required to wear steel toe capped boots, as far as I'm concerned wearing a heavy boot during ladder work will increase the possibility of accidents, If I'm required to wear steeleys on a job, I simply leave the site. Safety first people, wear Samba's on the job.
Samba inspired invert, Ronaldo inspired celebration at the 4down warehouse.
Riding:
British Champ James Newrick brought the Samba to the forefront of BMX when he was spotted wearing a pair in the hit BMX movie NSF3 (when he does a 3up, whop off). Sceptical about wearing them for riding at first I chose to bed them in abit with a few games of footy. As soon as they softened up it was BMX time, the sole lasted ages when riding brakeless. I also married the right shoe up with an ankle protection sock cut off the bottom of a shin pad, the Samba is low so your inside ankle joint is prone to a banging from the crank arm. They don't seem to offer much in the way of heel protection, but they are! I've had Etnies, Orchids, ES the lot. These shoes are meant to protect the heel during extreme sports, no shoe does it better than the Samba.
Football:
Clearly Samba's work at their best when playing football, I chose the OG super Samba with the larger front toe cap, this helps when curling the ball and actually provides some toe protection when your knackard and end up toe bunging shots.
Fashion:
Your dad had em in the 80's in his terrace days, he wore them for work and down the pub, lets face facts here Samba's look sick. GQ magazine swear by the suit and Samba combo, wether it's a wedding/funeral or business meeting if your rocking the suit leave the doc martins at home because no other item of footwear cuts the jib better than the Samba and will instantly gain respect in either of the above situations. Freddie Mercury rocked a set at live aid, Jay Kay rocked em hard in the 90's as did Blur and Oasis. In closing the all round greatest items of footwear ever made, get on it, get Samba'd.