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Many an adidas shoe has had its time to shine in recent history. The perpetually popular Samba continues to set the standard for current sneaker trends, with even its most close-competing siblings somewhat similar to it in its slender, simple silhouette.

And though we've recently tried to spotlight the Campus as an underdog favorite, the Handball Spezial, too, is an undeniable must-have if you're interested in a classic, all-rounder sneaker that is both timeless and timely.

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Now sure, it'd be an overstatement to say the Handball Spezial's not gotten its share of love. Nonetheless, it's nowhere near the level of saturation that some of its peers have grown to, but is just as universally compatible, style-wise.

Debuted in the 1970s as a specialized indoor court shoe designed for the fast-paced, multi-directional sport of handball, its grip, stability, and durability on polished gym floors made the suede shoe a favorite among athletes before it'd become beloved as a leisure model just the same, in all colors of the rainbow.

This adidas Shoe Has Got a Very Spezial Place in Our Hearts

adidas Handball Spezial Shoes cloud white

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adidasadidas Handball Spezial Shoes cloud white
$110
Buy at adidas US

Black and (off-white) can never go wrong now, can it?

adidas Handball Spezial Shoes navy

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adidasadidas Handball Spezial Shoes navy
$110
Buy at adidas US

This deep midnight navy blue is luxe and elegant upon first glance, but even more irresistible a staple when paired with one's favorite casual jeans and t-shirt combo.

adidas Handball Spezial Shoes orbit grey

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adidasadidas Handball Spezial Shoes orbit grey
$120
Buy at adidas US

This ghostly, crinkly colorway lends the often vibrant and warm appearance of the Spezials an avant-garde quality. It's a crossbreed between adidas' signature retro athleticism, and a coolly modern appreciation for minimalism.

Handball Spezial adidas x Sporty & Rich Originals Shoes

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adidas X Sporty & RichHandball Spezial adidas x Sporty & Rich Originals Shoes
$78
Buy at adidas US

No adidas-themed list'd be complete without the mention of a stand-out collaboration. Here, it's the German brand's link-up with Emily Oberg's Sporty & Rich label that, unlike the model before, really relishes in nostalgia, what with its varsity maroon hue and the gold-embossed logos? A very sporty, very rich-looking, and overall very spezial shoe indeed.

Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase. Want to shop the products our editors actually love? Visit the HS Style Guide for recs on all things fashion, footwear, and beauty.

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