So, let’s talk Samba alternatives. Because honestly, there are *tons* of cool kicks out there that give off that same vibe, but maybe, just maybe, are a little less… ubiquitous.
First up, the Adidas Velosambas. I mean, technically, *still* Adidas, but a slightly different take. I haven’t actually tried ’em myself, but they’re apparently pretty popular. I’m not sure I’d go for it because like I said, I’m looking to not buy a samba or a samba-like.
Then there’s the Adidas Hamburg. Another classic from the Adidas vault. Apparently these were originally released in ’82? That’s, like, ancient history in sneaker terms! They got that whole ‘City Series’ thing going on, which I guess is cool if you’re into collecting stuff. I’d rather go to Hamburg myself than buy Adidas Hamburg.
Now, I stumbled across something called the “Ohne Project – Project 070.” Never heard of ’em, but apparently, they’ve got a shoe that’s got that suede T-toe thing going on, just like the Sambas. Oh, and there’s a discount code “BU10” which is kinda neat. I’m not sure how to pronounce “Ohne” though.
And here’s where it gets interesting. Some people are saying the New Balance RC42s are a good alternative. Now, I’m a sucker for a good New Balance shoe. They’re comfy as heck. Apparently, the RC42 is cheaper than Sambas, which is always a win. The one downside? The tongue needs some breaking in, apparently. That’s always a pain, but hey, no pain no gain, right?
The Adidas Gazelle is another option that keeps popping up. Now, the Gazelle is classic, no doubt, but it’s a little different, you know? It’s got that suede upper, whereas the Samba is usually leather. It’s a subtle difference, but it’s there. For me, I’d rather have the leather because I think they look better and don’t get as dirty.