Created in 1950, the adidas Originals Samba OG was the first football sneaker designed for the brand. The shoe was built to enable football players to train on icy, hard ground during the European winter — hence the iconic suction-like design on the gumsole. The early adidas Sambas were not quite the same as the low-top Samba we see today; instead it was a mid-to-high-top boot shape supported by kangaroo leather and an innovative rubber outsole. To better promote the shoe on the big stage of the World Cup, adidas decided to name this new football boot after the famous Brazilian dance, so it could integrate with Brazil's unique customs and football culture in conjunction with the 1950 World Cup held in Brazil that year.

It was only in 1962 that a new version was changed to the more familiar low-top silhouette. By 1972, the adidas Samba gradually shifted from outdoor football to indoor futsal matches. As the years rolled on, the Samba became the most popular futsal shoe on the planet. The roots of today's Samba stem from that 1972 version in terms of shape and appearance. Over the years adidas has tinkered with the features — the 1974 version carried a foil-stamped label flush with the three-striped logo. Extension models like the Samba Classic arrived in the 80s, and by 1995 the final additions were made, giving us the established version we know today.

After more than 70 years, the adidas Samba still holds its place in today's sneaker market and has truly become a timeless classic. Its most distinctive T-Toe design, set on a brown rubber sole with a premium leather upper, the signature serrated three-striped logo, and the gilded Samba logo all serve as the finishing touch to the shoe.

With the adidas Superstar successfully transitioning from indoor basketball courts to the streets of New York, the adidas Samba was destined to follow suit. From its inception it has remained entrenched in pop culture — specifically through sports and music. Back in the 70s and 80s, Bob Marley, one of the most influential musicians and an avid footballer, was often seen wearing the model on stage and on the pitch. Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, was also frequently seen in the adidas Samba on stage.

With the dominance of British football clubs in Europe during the 70s, more fans were actively following their team across the continent. These avid supporters gradually formed a cultural phenomenon coined 'Casual Culture,' and their unique way of dressing later became known as 'Terrace Wear.' As this sub-culture grew, the adidas Samba became the go-to style. Successful English League teams in the 80s — such as Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, who were sponsored by adidas — also felt an allegiance to the brand and their footwear.

Due to the negative social impact of football hooliganism, in the mid-90s the British government began to strictly control it, and young people in the UK looked for new forms of expression. The free, uninhibited spirit of terrace culture and its unique style began to imprint itself on the British rock phenomenon known as Britpop. Before forming Oasis, the Gallagher brothers grew up with Manchester's strong football culture, which later influenced the way they composed music and dressed. Lead guitarist Noel Gallagher noticeably embraced Terrace Wear. Through football and through rock 'n' roll, the adidas Samba stamped its mark on UK culture — the shoe was cool enough to represent a generation during a tumultuous time.

Entering the millennium, streetwear brands and artists like Stone Island, CLOT, and Madsaki have all interpreted the adidas Samba. The silhouette itself has also evolved — the ADV series and OT-TECH series were specially launched for skateboarding and fixed-gear bike riding. In recent years, the Samba has become a favourite of fashion houses and independent designers. Designer Grace Wales Bonner drew inspiration from Bob Marley's musical and football legacy for her autumn/winter 2020 collaboration with adidas, choosing the Samba — the shoe that best represents adidas' closest relationship with football and Bob Marley himself.

Fast forward to today and the adidas Samba remains one of the most popular shoes — not exclusively within sneaker culture, but as a style many hold dear whether they first found the shoe via sport, music, or fashion.