Last week, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak sent the Adidas PR team into meltdown when he wore the Samba in an Instagram video about… tax. But the upcoming Adidas Samba OG ‘Black Croc' is safe. This is not a normal Samba. In fact, it's a bit better.
While most versions like to keep it clean and simple with a smooth leather upper and a dash of grey suede here and there, the ‘Black Croc’ is anything but. Painted in a ‘Core Black’ colour scheme, the entire trainer is decked out in a glossy faux croc construction that looks – and feels – a lot more luxe compared to “normal” pairs. It's an aesthetic that's been a mainstay on runways for decades, from Burberry Autumn/Winter 2007 all the way to Versace Autumn 2023.
Contrasting Three Stripes feature across the lateral and medial sidewalls, and the premium vibe is revisited with the laces, which are now waxed. Adidas' signature Trefoil logo is stamped on the tongue, and all of this rests on top of a stealthy rubber midsole. The only real pop of colour here are the fiery red insoles, but 99 per cent of the time, nobody's gonna even see those.
Even though its gained a few questionable fans along the way, the Samba has had an exceedingly solid year so far. From collabs from the likes of JJJJound and Wales Bonner, to special editions such as the ‘Made in Italy’ and the ‘Nylon Pack,’ Adidas even has plans to bring the Samba Millennium back just in time for its 15th bday.
The Adidas Samba OG ‘Black Croc’ is set to drop within the coming weeks at Adidas, the Confirmed app, and select shops globally for around £120.
