At the end of last year, Adidas announced that it was teaming up with American clothing company Adsum for the Adsum x Adidas Samba Millennium. A surprise for sneakerheads, mainly for two reasons. First: this was the duo's first project together. And second: this silhouette hasn't been around since 2009, and its unexpected return seemed kinda random.
But, as with all Samba collabs, this one sold out in mere minutes. In fact, Adidas liked it so much that it decided to bring the Y2K model back – permanently. Revealed in two new colour options including ‘Core Black’ and ‘Footwear White,’ both trainers look a lot like their non-Millennium counterparts. We're talking full leather constructions and a touch of suede around the front. You'll even find the classic “Samba” branding that's printed across the sidewalls in gold foil.
But unlike their non-Millennium counterparts, there are a few details here and there that set them apart. Firstly, the OG Adidas logo is stitched on the tongue (like the old school take from very grainy archival photos), and the usual gum rubber midsole has been replaced with an extra chunky unit instead. This one is made from plush EVA foam and it's fitted with torsion plates that are designed to make this a little more comfortable. And, unlike the “normal” Samba, this version has been designed for all kinds of sports.
As the world tries its best to find the ultimate Samba replacement with silhouettes like the SL-72 and the Tischtennis, maybe the greatest alt to the Samba is still a Samba, but a retro spin-off that you've probably never heard of.
The Adidas Samba Millennium is set to re-release within the coming weeks at Adidas, the Confirmed app, and select shops globally for around £100 each.
