A Brief History of the adidas Samba and Samba OG
August 26, 2024
The adidas Samba, rivaled only by the Stan Smith and Superstar, stands as one of the Three Stripes' most iconic creations. Through various collaborations and numerous celebrity endorsements, the sneaker has seen a resurgence in popularity over recent years, captivating both high fashion and mainstream audiences with renewed interest in the German footwear icon.
Originally designed as adidas' first football cleat to provide traction on frozen ground, the Samba has undergone significant transformation over the past seven decades. Today, it is more commonly spotted on the streets of Soho and the runways of Paris Fashion Week than on the football field.
Rooted in sport, much like many of adidas’ iconic creations, the legend of the Samba begins with its inception in 1949. Designed by brand founder Adi Dassler, the earliest iteration of the sneaker featured a mid-top height, a kangaroo leather upper, and a gum sole. This design was specifically created to provide traction on icy pitches, enabling athletes to train and play on frozen ground.
The Samba made a grand introduction at the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. To gain popularity in South America, adidas named the football boot "Samba," inspired by an indigenous Brazilian dance and music genre.
In the decades following its debut, the Samba was redesigned several times, gradually evolving into the version we know today. As it transformed, the shoe transitioned from the football pitch to become a favorite among indoor football players.
The adidas Samba OG was first created in the 1940s to handle frozen football fields. Originally flying under the radar as a daily beater and wardrobe essential for a tiny but mighty band of supporters, the Samba is now adored as a cult classic by football fans and skaters, yet overlooked by seasoned sneakerheads. When Grace Wales Bonner, a fashion designer, popularised the Samba, everything changed. As a result of her unique collaborations, OG Samba colourways quickly became popular. The Samba took part in the Consortium Cup alongside Wales Bonner, was the inspiration for Pharrell Williams's music, and was the "sporty" in Emily Oberg and Rich's hit show Sporty & Rich. The original (OG) version is the most popular and traditional Samba silhouette, and it's also the one from where everything began.
What is the difference between the adidas Samba classic and adidas Samba OG?
This adidas Samba OG is typically seen with a gum outsole, classic Three-Stripe branding, and a combination of leather and suede upper. Whereas, the Samba Classic created in the 1950s is similar to the original but includes several unique details. The OG features a printed adidas Trefoil logo and leather lining, and the Samba Classic has a striking longer ribbed tongue, with an embroidered label attached to it with a cloth lining. The overall silhouette of the Samba OG is smaller and sleeker than the Samba Classic.
Jerry Lorenzo, for instance, reflected on his high school days in South Florida after announcing his partnership with adidas, recalling how he frequently wore Sambas during that time. Even before catching the eye of the Fear of God founder, the Samba was famously worn by Bob Marley, who was often seen sporting the shoes. Beyoncé has also shown her love for the sneaker, paying homage to it with the Super Sleek, released under her IVY PARK label.
