Adidas’ Bestselling Samba Gets a Heritage-Fueled Denim Update

The new version of the classic sneaker pulls from the infamous 1994 U.S. World Cup jersey, one of soccer’s most unforgettable uniforms.

Close-up of a blue denim sneaker with star patterns, red leather heel tab, and translucent rubber sole against a yellow background.

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By Hayley Helms

Published March 11, 2026

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Updated March 11, 2026

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The year was 1994. When the United States hosted the World Cup for the first time, the men’s national team debuted a set of Adidas uniforms that would become some of the most iconic (and divisive) in tournament history.

Now the infamous “denim kit” is inspiring a fresh take on one of Adidas’ most recognizable sneakers.

The new Samba “USA Denim” pays homage to the sportswear giant’s iconic USMNT jerseys through its styling but swaps the original faux pattern for genuine denim.

Blue Adidas Samba sneaker with white stripes, gum sole, and red heel tab. — Adidas leveled up its own archival design with real denim and applied it effortlessly to some of its most popular shoes.

Enduring Americana

Adidas’ once ridiculed, now lauded 1994 away uniform featured a faux-denim print with oversized white stars splashed across the front.

Red and white trim tied the Americana-themed design together, and while many fans initially thought the look was, for lack of a better term, ugly, it eventually became a cult classic of soccer style.

Pair of blue Adidas Samba sneakers with white stripes, star pattern, red heel tab, and gum sole. — The Samba looks good dressed in red, white and blue.

Now, that treatment has inspired a revision of the sportswear giant’s most popular shoe … and this time, it looks like the Samba may skip the awkward phase and jump straight to instant classic.

Close-up of a blue suede and denim sneaker toe with white leather eyelet panel and gum sole. — The dark denim T-toe is overlayed on an all-denim upper, featuring faded blue stars.

That’s mostly thanks to the use of genuine denim, rather than a fake print. The heritage material is used in the upper, where tonal stars appear across most of the shoe and are complemented by a darker denim T-toe overlay.

Blue denim Adidas Samba sneaker with star pattern, white stripes, red heel tab, and gum sole. — Leather and denim, two enduring materials, play well together on the classically styled Samba.

The Samba “USA Denim” incorporates white leather in the Three Stripes and eyestay, and a red leather mustache graces the back of the heel, driving home the Americana tribute.

Blue Adidas sneaker with white stripes, red heel accent, and navy laces viewed from above. — Stars and “Three Stripes” works here, right?

Alongside the new Sambas, there is also a FIFA World Cup 2026 capsule collection including denim apparel inspired by the 1994 Team USA uniforms.

Availability and pricing

The Samba “USA Denim” is available now on the Adidas website, retailing for $110.

Blue denim Adidas Samba sneaker with white stripes, red heel tab, and gum sole.

Adidas Samba “USA Denim”

$110 at Adidas

About the Author: Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in outdoor gear. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie and Shape. Whether it’s testing a new rain shell or putting a pair of hiking boots through its paces, she leaves no stone unturned (however, she always Leaves No Trace).

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