Wales Bonner? No, adidas' Samba Is Feral AF on Its Own
Samba fatigue or not, the classic adidas terrace shoe is still going strong in the sneaker game. And for its next move, the Samba has once again gone feral — and the sportswear label didn't even need Wales Bonner to take its signature sneaker to the next level.
An adidas Samba shoe recently landed online, presenting new (but also familiar) furry moments. The sneaker sprouted leopard-printed hairs from the upper, joined by crisp leather details painted in jet black.
adidas' latest Samba shoe design instantly thrust me back to Wales Bonner's extremely desired colorway from 2023. The London-based designer cooked up arguably one of the best Sambas of the year, transforming the iconic shoe into a statement sneaker with spotted pony hair and lovely cream-colored touches.
There were other hairy versions released later on and even a nylon Samba in the mix, but Wales Bonner's leopard-splashed sneakers were undoubtedly the main character of the entire collaborative batch.
Like most star sneakers, the leopard Sambas racked up a hefty price tag in its aftermarket life. Catch Wales Bonner's beautiful adidas at resale outlets like StockX and GOAT for anywhere between $400 and $1,000. They retailed for $160.
The newest adidas Samba finishes with luxury-level results, following in the footstep of Wales Bonner's design cues. In addition to its buttery and furry moments upper, the Samba rounds off this high-vis colorway with off-white hints and even a pop of green around the collar.
adidas' textural updates don't stop at the in-line Samba colorway pictured above, either. Another hairy Samba sneaker has since been revealed with burgundy fur. And although not quite as feral as its sibling, there's yet another Samba sneaker that wears luscious velour uppers.
All in all, it'll be a wild launch — metaphorically speaking, that is — when these adidas Sambas land sometime these year. Well, let's hope they'll release.
If not, time to start searching for the next best Samba thing.
