What is the next Adidas Samba?
The Adidas Samba has long held valuable space in the sneaker world. They are the stylish staples and the default pair for those seeking in-fashion, everyday footwear.
There is a growing list of ancestors to the Samba. The shoes are sported by sneaker fans and non-fans alike, and after a good beating and rotation of trends, they get replaced.
The Adidas Superstars took the crown in 2016. Next was the White Nike Air Force 1 takeover of 2019 accompanied by its endless white sneaker cohorts (Reebok Club Cs, Adidas Stan Smiths, etc.) Nike Dunks in Panda had their moment as an easily styled but instantly recognizable shoe in 2021. Sambas are the latest answer to a market that consistently asks for a simplistic, everyday sneaker.
However, with the Samba holding the crown for over a year, the inevitable turn of trends is creeping up on this shoe.
Sportswear prevails as the trend of the summer, breathing new air into the Adidas Samba and its slim football silhouette. But as fall rolls around, or certainly the next calendar year, sneaker fans are bound to have wandering eyes.
Top Contenders
The best predictors to go by are the overarching trends in fashion and shoe wear.
Vintage is king right now, and shoe brands continue to find success in archive pulls. The Nike Cortez is a prime example of a classic shoe finding resurgence with Jeremy Allen White’s recent endorsement and its many Hollywood cameos. The Adidas Samba itself is retro, arching back to 1949. Perhaps another shoe-long sitting on the sidelines is likely to find the spotlight.
Or maybe a new player will find success in the scene. Consumers are looking at running shoes for everyday use that offer both comfort and style. Hoka Running Shoes achieved rapid success despite being founded in 2009. Asics have been found on runners’ feet for decades, but only recently have they emerged as fashionable contenders alongside Nike and Adidas classics.
Nike Air Zoom Spiridon Cage 2
This shoe has all the reasons to take flame given the right spark.
They gracefully toe the line between comfortable and stylish, which consumers are undoubtedly craving. Beyond breathability, a mesh body adds an eclectic texture popular in recent sneaker hits such as the New Balance 1906 or the more niche New Balance 860 V2.
Plus they have vintage appeal, imitating the original chunky 90s silhouette. Air Zoom Spiridons found recent relevance among sneakerheads after a reported re-release of the Nike Air Zoom Spirdon 1997 OGs. However, the Cage 2 offers a look of the moment with greater market accessibility for casual consumers and simple color waves. This shoe is stunning!
Puma Speedcat OG
You may think that these pair are past their time, but their nostalgic charm is exactly why they’re making the list.
Originally a German football and sports brand, Puma was late to the streetwear game, only branching out with the Puma King Jill Sanders in 1998. This may explain why Puma typically loses out to competitors Nike and Adidas. However, if there was ever a time for a Puma shoe to shine, it is now.
The Adidas Samba was originally a football shoe designed for durability and icy German conditions, explaining today’s slim, sporty look. Puma has all the reasons to benefit from the current street style, as the brand never fully abandoned its original soccer influences. If the world has yet to tire of casual sportswear, Puma Speedcat OGs may take the place paved by the Adidas Samba.
Asics Gel NYC 2055
Next up, a fresh release.
Asics continue to build momentum among casual sneaker wearers. The Onitsuka Tigers Mexico 66 find themselves on every fashion girl’s Instagram. Asics Gel Kayano 14s hold mass appeal in the sneaker world for their 00s look. The ASICS Gel NYC 2055 may be just the shoe to maintain the momentum.
With a release date set for July 19th, the shoe might swing in just in time to catch wearers’ hearts. The Japanese brand is releasing this shoe off the success of the original Gel NYCs but with a name suggesting a futuristic twist.
The shoe’s success relies on consumers’ attraction to good-looking running shoes as comfortable, everyday items. This pair is undeniably well-designed and comes in sleek colorways to choose from. They very well could be the shoes of the future.
Adidas Originals SL 72 OG
Why not keep it in the family?
Maybe the Adidas bug has not yet subsided. Those who still love Adidas as their go-to but want a change-up from the Adidas Samba might turn to the SL 72s.
They’re sporty. They’re sleek. They offer that vintage feel buyers are looking for in a variety of colorways. Best of all, they’re affordable. Find these shoes for around $100, positioning themselves as some of the most aptly priced on the market.
Conclusion
If you’re feeling anything like we are, this list is sure to offer you a new favorite everyday sneaker. While it is impossible to predict the future, we can have fun mulling over different possibilities. What do you think will follow the Adidas Samba?
Breaking Up With The Adidas Samba
You did well for yourself, Samba. For decades you sat on the shelf, waiting. While flashy trends and novel silhouettes turned heads, you stayed true to your roots.
Once in a while, men and women looked your way and tried you for a spin. But the 2000s were about short flings and casual wearers. It wasn’t until 2021 that something extraordinary happened.
The simplicity and sporty influence that never quite worked before was suddenly exactly what we were looking for. We appreciated you for your stability, your versatility, and the places you came from. We truly saw you.
Nonetheless, we’ve worn you well. And while you’re still a stunning shoe, with time comes change. Really, it’s less about you, and more about us and our dwindling attention spans. Anyways. We’d like to see other people.
Love, Trill x
