Then in the ‘90s, the skateboarding scene took a hold of the Samba, its low cost and ability to withstand wear making for the perfect choice. Terrace Culture also adopted the Samba as part of the uniform, with football fans donning their best gear before heading off to watch the game. The ‘80s period is also when multiple countries were involved in the Samba’s production, with Made in France and Austria pairs becoming highly sought after by 3-Stripe fans in Spain and Italy. The “Made in Yugoslavia” editions are held in high regard within groups of adidas collectors as they are more attainable and in-tact when compared to the “Made in Germany” pairs. They were no longer produced in West Germany, opting for the cheaper cost of labour in Eastern Europe and Asia. The 5th and most recognisable edition compared to the 2020’s edition, released in the mid-80s. The new 3-zone outsole tread was made up of sections that helped the player stop, turn and grip, creating the ideal Indoor Football shoe. In 1972, the fourth iteration coincided with the rise in popularity of 5-a-side Futsal within Europe. Over the preceding decades, the Samba would go through a number of different generations which only added further functionality to the football favourite. The name was a huge success, landing the shoe on almost every player during the tournament, causing its rise to prominence. When the 1950 World Cup arrived in Brazil, adidas decided to name the silhouette after the hosting country’s favourite music genre, the Samba. The original upper had a high-cut and was made from tough kangaroo leather, with three holes on the outsole below that acted as suction cups for grip.

Invented by Adi Dassler himself, the shoe was an alternative to studded boots and proved reliable when playing football on icy pitches. In 1949, adidas created the Samba, its longest-standing silhouette.

Adidas originals samba