Adidas’s New Military-Grade Samba Really Is as Tough as It Looks
A new upper material gives the iconic sneaker a rugged refresh.
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Another week, another Samba. Only this time, Adidas went beyond a minor tweak to the shoe's color scheme.
The Samba OG Cordura swaps out the Samba's classic leather upper for one crafted from Cordura — a durable, high-performance fabric known worldwide for its strength and abrasion resistance.
As such, the material is a staple in bags, outdoor gear, military equipment and, now, the ever-iconic Samba — which is no longer just the hottest sneaker on the market but one of the most durable, to boot.
The Samba OG Cordura swaps out the leather upper for one made from a performance fabric found in outdoor and military gear. - Credit: Adidas
High value, hardwearing
The material choice here makes the Samba OG Cordura an attractive proposition for wearers who demand a little extra ruggedness from their footwear, such as bike commuters or simply those in harsh climes.
Gray suede overlays complete the stealthy makeover. - Credit: Adidas
The shoe may also simply appeal to grayscale aesthetes, thanks to its suede overlays and a rare black sole resulting in a decidedly stealthy getup with a textural finish.
Black rubber replaces the Samba's traditional brown gum sole. - Credit: Adidas
In any case, all potential buyers will probably appreciate its best attribute: a value-driven price tag.
That's because you'd expect a performance fabric like Cordura to jack up the price of a shoe like the Samba — especially considering buyers continue to line up for pairs costing three or four times the standard amount .
Instead, the Samba OG Cordura costs just $100 — the same as every other Samba OG in the current roster.
New Release
