Home / Style / Sneakers

Adidas Elevates an Old-School Icon into a Sophisticated Slip-On

The brand’s former handball stalwart steps out of the shadows of the Samba and Gazelle with a fancy new finish.

Close-up of beige suede Adidas shoe heel with textured gum sole and partial logo on a blue gradient background.Adidas
Add Gear Patrol as a Preferred Source on Google

By Jack Seemer

Published

·

If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

For years, the Adidas Spezial has walked in the shadows of its popular peers, namely the Samba and Gazelle.

However, the silhouette can now claim something its siblings lack: a snazzy slip-on variant.

Beige suede Adidas loafer with gum sole and gold logo pin on the strap.
The Handball Spezial Loafer sees Adidas step into the sneaker-loafer trend that also includes Hoka, New Balance and others.
Adidas
Close-up of a brown suede shoe toe with a textured rubber sole and a small gold Adidas trefoil logo pin.
The design trades traditional laces with a moccasin-style upper.
Adidas

The Handball Spezial Loafer is the latest rendition of the brand’s former handball stalwart, dropping the traditional laces for a moccasin-style upper with a saddle across the vamp.

Dark brown suede Adidas loafer with a penny strap and gold emblem on a light background.
A leather saddle across the vamp elevates the look.
Adidas

It retains the suede of the original Spezial design — one of the shoe’s signature points of difference to the Samba — as well as the stripes, albeit in matching leather for an understated look.

Black suede Adidas loafer with gum sole and gold Adidas trefoil logo on strap.
The shoe retains the side stripes, however, their tonal makeup keeps the design understated.
Adidas

Similar to other on-trend sneaker-loafer hybrids, such as the New Balance 1906L and Hoka Speed Loafer, the Handball Spezial Loafer keeps its sporty underfoot.

It features the brand’s low-profile gum sole with its iconic three-zone design.

Light brown rubber sole of an Adidas shoe with textured grip and logo.
The three-zone outsole is an iconic design trait found on many of Adidas’s retro classics.
Adidas

Availability and pricing

The Handball Spezial Loafer is already popping up in overseas markets, with a US release on the horizon.

It comes in half a dozen colorways, including “Magic Beige” and “Aurora Coffee,” and costs 120 euros (around $141).

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

Read More

Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.

add as a preferred source on google