adidas Samba vs Gazelle vs Spezial: The Differences Explained (and the Cheapest UK Prices)
Quick answer: the adidas Samba is the classic leather football trainer with the suede "T-toe" and a gum sole. It's the most structured of the three and the most hard-wearing. The adidas Gazelle is the soft suede option with a rounded toe and a slim, retro shape, comfortable straight out of the box. The adidas Handball Spezial is a 1970s handball shoe in suede on a gum sole. It's the terrace-culture favourite and often discounted. All three are slim, low-profile trainers. The choice mostly comes down to leather or suede, the toe shape, and price.
Last updated 9 November 2026. Prices change daily as retailers update their stock, so check the product pages for today's lowest price.
Samba vs Gazelle vs Spezial at a glance
| adidas Samba | adidas Gazelle | adidas Handball Spezial | |
|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Around 1950 (indoor football) | 1966 (training) | Late 1970s (handball) |
| Upper | Mostly leather, suede T-toe overlay | Mostly suede | Suede |
| Sole | Gum rubber, slim | Rubber (gum on Gazelle Indoor) | Gum rubber |
| Toe | Longer toe with T-shaped overlay | Shorter, rounded toe | Rounded toe with a slight point |
| Feel | Structured, hard-wearing | Soft, flexible, comfy from day one | Soft, flat, retro |
| Men's price on SportSupplyUK | from £50 | from £50 | from £55 |
| Women's price on SportSupplyUK | from £30 | from £40 | from £50 |
adidas Samba: the leather all-rounder
The Samba started life as a football shoe for icy pitches and indoor play, which is why it has that reinforced suede T-toe and a grippy gum sole. Most Sambas are leather, so they hold their shape well and are easy to wipe clean, which makes them the most practical everyday pick. They're also the most widely stocked: on SportSupplyUK we compare women's Sambas across Foot Locker, Footasylum and Sevenstore (46 colours), and men's across Foot Locker and Footasylum.
- adidas Samba Women's Trainers (from £30)
- adidas Samba Men's Trainers (from £50)
- adidas Junior Samba OG Trainers (from £45)
adidas Gazelle: the soft suede classic
The Gazelle launched in 1966 as a training shoe and is usually all suede, with leather Three Stripes. That suede is thinner and more flexible than the Samba's leather, so Gazelles feel comfortable straight away. The trade-off is that they show wear sooner. The shape is shorter and more rounded at the toe. Gazelles tend to run a little narrow, so if you have wide feet, try them first or consider going half a size up. The Gazelle Indoor version adds a gum sole and a slightly sportier look.
- adidas Gazelle Women's Trainers (from £40)
- adidas Men's Gazelle Trainer (from £50)
- adidas Men's Gazelle Indoor Trainer
- adidas Junior Gazelle Trainers (from £44)
adidas Handball Spezial: the terrace favourite
Built for indoor handball in the late 1970s, the Spezial combines a suede upper with a flat gum sole. It became a staple of UK football terrace culture and is often discounted. Footasylum carries the biggest range of adult Spezials on our site.
- adidas Spezial Men's Handball Shoes (from £55)
- adidas Women's Handball Spezial Trainer (from £50)
- adidas Junior Handball Spezial Trainers (from £50)
Samba OG, Samba Jane, Gazelle Indoor, Gazelle Bold: the versions explained
Each of the three comes in several versions, which can make shopping confusing:
- Samba OG: the classic version, with the leather upper, suede T-toe and gum sole. When people say "Sambas", this is usually what they mean. See the adidas Men's Samba OG Trainer.
- Samba Jane: a women's version with a Mary Jane-style strap across the top of the foot instead of laces. See the adidas Samba Jane Women's Trainers.
- Samba LT: a lighter-weight variation on the classic Samba. See the adidas Samba LT Women's Trainers.
- Gazelle Indoor: the Gazelle on a gum sole, with a slightly sportier, more retro look than the standard Gazelle.
- Gazelle Bold: the Gazelle on a stacked platform sole for extra height. See the adidas Junior Gazelle Bold Trainers.
- Handball Spezial: usually just called "Spezials". Most colourways have a suede upper and gum sole.
Which is best for wide feet?
None of the three is a wide-fit trainer. Of the three, the Samba usually suits wider feet best because its leather upper stretches and moulds over time. The Gazelle is the narrowest, so wide-footed buyers often go half a size up. The suede of the Spezial softens quickly, but the shape is slim.
Leather or suede: looking after your trainers
Leather Sambas are the easiest to keep clean: wipe them with a damp cloth and they'll look fresh for years. Suede Gazelles and Spezials need a little more care. Spray them with a suede protector before you wear them, avoid soaking them in heavy rain, and use a suede brush to lift marks. If you want a trainer for everyday wear in the British weather, leather is the lower-maintenance choice.
Kids' Sambas, Gazelles and Spezials
All three come in kids' sizes, and they are often much cheaper than the adult versions. On our site, junior Sambas start from £45, junior Gazelles from £44 and junior Spezials from £50, with infant and baby sizes from under £30.
- adidas Junior Samba OG Trainers
- adidas Junior Gazelle Trainers
- adidas Junior Handball Spezial Trainers
- adidas Infant Handball Spezial Trainers
Sizing: do Samba, Gazelle and Spezial fit the same?
Not quite. All three are slim. The Gazelle is generally the narrowest, so wide-footed buyers often go half a size up. Many people find the Samba long enough to go half a size down. The Spezial usually fits true to size. If you can, try your usual adidas size first. Most of the retailers we compare offer free or low-cost returns.
Which should you buy?
- Choose the Samba if you want the most hard-wearing, easy-to-clean option, or the widest choice of colours and the lowest starting prices.
- Choose the Gazelle if comfort out of the box matters most and you love a soft suede look.
- Choose the Spezial if you want the retro terrace style.
Prices on all three move a lot, especially around Black Friday. Check our Black Friday deals page for the biggest current discounts.
FAQs
What's the difference between the Samba and the Gazelle?
The Samba is mostly leather with a suede T-toe and a gum sole, so it feels structured and wears well. The Gazelle is mostly suede with a rounded toe, so it feels softer and is comfier out of the box but marks more easily.
Which is more comfortable, Samba or Gazelle?
Most people find the Gazelle more comfortable straight away because its suede is thinner and more flexible. The Samba softens with wear and lasts longer.
Is the Handball Spezial the same as the Gazelle?
No. Both are suede, but the Spezial was designed for indoor handball and has a flat gum sole and a slightly different shape. The standard Gazelle has a rubber sole and a shorter, rounder toe.
Which is best for wide feet: Samba, Gazelle or Spezial?
The Samba usually suits wider feet best, because its leather upper gives over time. The Gazelle is the narrowest of the three, so consider going half a size up.
What's the difference between the Samba OG and the Samba?
The Samba OG is the classic version with a leather upper, suede T-toe and gum sole. Other versions, such as the Samba Jane and Samba LT, change the fastening or the materials.
Which is cheapest: Samba, Gazelle or Spezial?
It changes daily. On SportSupplyUK right now, women's Sambas start from £30 and Gazelles from £40, and men's Sambas and Gazelles both start from £50. Spezials start from £50 for women and £55 for men. Each product page compares several retailers, so you always see the lowest price.
