5 Differences between Adidas Samba, Spezial and Gazelle

JAKARTA – They look similar, but actually there are a number of differences between the Adidas Samba, Spezial and Gazelle. What’s that?

Adidas is known as an apparel brand from Germany, with one of its products, namely sports shoes, which is famous throughout the world. This brand is named after its founder, Adolf (Adi) Dassler, who started producing shoes in the 1920s in Herzogenaurach. Over the years Adidas has been a part of the world of sports. Not only shoes, this brand also offers clothing and various sports accessories that have artistic value.

Adidas’ iconic shoes include the Samba, Spezial and Gazelle. The Adidas Samba was first released in 1949, ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. That’s why the shoe series originally dedicated to the sport of football is called Samba.

The Gazelle arrived almost 20 years later after the Samba, in 1966 to be precise. The Gazelle was first introduced as a trainer shoe and has now become a cultural icon that never seems to go out of style.

While the Adidas Spezial was first released in 1979, it was originally designed specifically for handball players. Like other iconic Adidas shoes, the Spezial has also managed to gain popularity among athletes and sports fans.

Differences between Adidas Samba, Spezial and Gazelle

1. Initial designation

Adidas Samba and Gazelle were originally designed specifically for athletes or football fans. Meanwhile, the Adidas Spezial was originally designed for handball.

2. Design and Sole

The Gazelle has a much shorter toebox panel than the Samba. The difference can also be seen in the main construction, namely the Gazelle’s middle leg which is slightly larger compared to the Samba.

In terms of soles, Adidas Spezial more often uses gum soles. Meanwhile, the Gazelle more often uses a rubber sole. The Adidas Samba often uses a dark brown cupsole.

For the outsole, the Adidas Gazelle has a Trefoil pattern, different from the other two shoe variants.

3. View on Heel Path

The Adidas Gazelle usually features a Trefoil logo, just like the Samba. Meanwhile, the Spezial is only equipped with Adidas writing or even plain at all.

The Adidas Samba usually has a smooth rectangular logo that is flush with the tongue. For the Gazelle, the tongue branding is removed and features another logo on the heel, plus larger lateral branding when compared to the Samba.

4. Tongue Display

The Adidas Samba has a plain tongue plus a blue Trefoil logo. Meanwhile on the Gazelle, the tongue appears to have a texture. As for the Adidas Spezial, the tongue is longer and displays Adidas writing along with a small Trefoil logo.

5. Materials Used

The difference in materials used is clearly visible between Samba and Gazelle. For the Samba, almost always choose a leather upper with a little suede on the toebox. While the Gazelle typically wears decadent suede and leather touches on the Three Stripes branding.

As for the Adidas Spezial, the material is suede and gumsole.

Additionally, Samba typically uses lightweight EVA foam with pressure points in the outsole. Meanwhile, the Gazelle has a durable rubber midsole with a smooth hexagon outsole.

(tsa)