Adidas Turns the Samba Into a Luxe, Lugged Dress Shoe

The Adidas Samba‘s current reign has had a seemingly endless string of transformations, including a few with dressier elements. Perhaps the most subtle and wearable has now arrived, fittingly sliding into retailers quietly.

The Adidas Samba Lux Freizeit is an elevated take on the terrace staple. Rendered entirely in black, the shoe gets a thick outsole with lugs. Leather and suede retain their places on the upper, albeit with what appears to be a higher level of quality for its plush, pebbled leather. Branding is also dialed down with the removal of gold embossing near the stripe and a debossed monochromatic tongue. Gold does rear its head, though, via an embossed insole.

Translating to “leisure time” from German, “Freizeit” has been used by Adidas before for a Stan Smith that was likewise dressed up with the same sole unit and a polished leather upper. The Samba’s other dress shoe brethren include a build with a crepe sole and kiltie, as well as another modeled after brogues, both of which use the same sole once again.

Dress shoe hybrids are also becoming more common in the wider world of sneakers, with Nike, Saucony and more taking their stabs at the trend.

The Adidas Samba Lux Friezeit is out now on Adidas’ website and select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $160.