Adidas Samba Classic Review

Adidas Samba Classic Review 2023

As one of the most popular indoor court shoes, adidas Sambas need no introduction to indoor sports players. This classically designed shoe was first introduced in 1949 and has since gone through several iterations, ending with the current model of the Adidas Samba Classic. It is an ideal shoe in terms of design, comfort, grip and not to mention, aesthetics.

In this article we will give an in-depth review of the Adidas Samba Classic and explain why it is an excellent choice for playing indoor soccer. We will inspect and analyze the design, features, materials, fit, style, and price using our own experience as well as the experiences of other genuine buyers to help you decide whether this is indeed the right indoor soccer shoe for you or not.

To check out more reviews, read our article on the best indoor soccer shoes. Also, don’t forget to read up on how to choose your shoes for indoor soccer.

Adidas Samba Classic

TOP PICK

9/10 Our Score

Specifications:

• Upper: Full grain kangaroo leather plus suede
• Midsole: EVA
• Insole: EVA, Fixed
• Outsole: Gum rubber
• Fit: Normal to narrow
• Weight: 11.8 oz
• Closure: Lace up

Adidas Samba Classic is designed for players who want quality at an affordable price. From the soft leather upper to the grippy gum rubber outsoles, these durable shoes will definitely become your favorite indoor soccer shoes.

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Upper

One of the top features of the Adidas Samba Classic is its genuine kangaroo leather upper. The kangaroo leather makes the upper soft and flexible. It also allows the shoe to mold perfectly to the foot, akin to a second skin. Natural leather uppers are the most favored type of material used in sports shoes because of the near perfect fit they provide for the players and among different types of natural leather, kangaroo leather is the best.

Because of the leather in the upper, Sambas also have an extremely sensitive touch, allowing the players to “feel” the ball better. In our experience, the Samba touch is the best quality adidas Samba Classic has to offer. The feel of the ball is great on the field and combined with the close fit, these shoes were a pleasure to wear.

The toe box is reinforced with suede to prevent excessive wear and tear. Using suede strengthens the toe box without making us feel any loss of sensitivity.

Adidas Sambas have a long thick-ish tongue for protection. We say thick-ish because although it is thinner than those of a lot of other shoes, it is still too thick for indoor soccer players. Touch is important for us and we feel that it is both too long and too thick for ideal play. For those of you looking for extra comfort though, will feel that it offers an adequate extra protective layer.

The lacing system is long and has closely set eyelets. We used them to make the shoes fit extra snug around our feet, just the way we love it.

Insole and Midsole

How do these shoes feel on the feet? They feel pretty good, thanks to the specially shaped EVA midsole. Adidas have provided comfort without compromising too much on the weight which is always the danger when making indoor soccer shoes too comfortable.

One thing that did detract from the near perfect impression was the fixed insole. Yup, you read that right. The adidas Samba Classic have fixed insoles. They are a nuisance for people with high arches and also wore out sooner than the rest of the shoe. Here’s to hoping there is some way to replace them. If not we will just need to replace the whole shoe which is a shame because the rest of the shoe is holding up quite well.

Outsole

The outsole is gum rubber with really good patterns. The traction on these shoes is better than average. It is fun to run about and make quick turns (helped by the pivot point) without fear of sliding on our feet. The suction caused by the points on the front end is really effective in gripping the ground during hard passes.

Fit

These shoes fit really well around our feet, once they are broken in. There is a break-in period, but it is worth the wait because play can significantly improve after. The snug fit is one of the biggest plus points of Sambas.

Style

Sambas are “classic” in design as well as name. They come in two colors, black with the three white adidas stripes on the sides, or white with black stripes. These shoes are not flashy, but manage to stand out on the field all the same because the shoes are designed to keep the players comfortable and sharp during play.

The most popular color is black but many other style options are available. White Sambas, especially, have started to become popular recently due to their clean look and style versatility. Sambas, although originally intended for indoor sports, are versatile enough to be used as casual sneakers. However, prolonged or frequent use over concrete/asphalt will cause them to wear very quickly, so if you’re planning to use these indoors and outdoors, be prepared to change them in a few months.

Price

adidas Samba Classic falls in the mid-price range.

Adidas Samba Classic Indoor Soccer Shoe Review

Adidas Samba Classic are durable, reasonably comfortable, with good traction and are easy on the feet. They are good for heavy play lasting 2-3 hours, several times a week, without causing foot fatigue. They are also good as walking sneakers although we recommend keeping your walking and playing shoes separate. Here’s a run down of the pros and cons to help you make a choice:

FAQs About Adidas Samba Classic

If you enjoyed this review, please leave a comment below to let us know. You can read more of our product guides, or head to the blog for get to know everything about indoor soccer!