Chapter 1
The Samba and the frozen pitches of Germany
Chapter 2
The Stan Smith and the court of cool
Chapter 3
The Superstar and the birth of hip-hop style
Chapter 4
The cycle of hype and the art of staying timeless
YOUR GOAL
Master of The immortal sneakers that outlived their sports
Ch 1 · The Samba and the frozen pitches of Germany
adidas The Adidas Samba
We ran across the pitch in the German winter freeze, With suction on our soles we could play with perfect ease.
adidas An illustrated Samba sneaker highlights its suede toe, gold lettering, and gum outsole.
adidas An isometric render of Adidas Samba, Superstar, and Stan Smith sneakers with precise labels
Fun Fact
Samba's name: The iconic shoe was named after the Brazilian dance to market it at the 1950 World Cup.
Glossary
samba (noun)
A Brazilian dance of African origin, characterized by a lively, syncopated rhythm. In 1950, Adidas debuted a specialized football shoe under this name to grip icy German playing fields.
A Brazilian dance of African origin, characterized by a lively, syncopated rhythm. In 1950, Adidas debuted a specialized football shoe under this name to grip icy German playing fields.
Quiz
Which British youth subculture popularized the Adidas Samba in the 1970s and 1980s?
Quiz
In what decade did the Adidas Samba transition heavily from indoor soccer fields to British football stands?
Quiz
Which designer's 2020 collaboration helped spark the modern massive revival of the Adidas Samba?