Customer Reviews adidas Samba® Classic Soccer Cleats

Great looking shoe if you can overlook the oversized tongue. Unfortunately they got like vise grips. It became clear quickly that these were not keepers.

I am female and wear a size 8 women's shoe/size 9 running shoe. I wanted very plain, classic shoes for indoor play and the women's styles are too flashy. So I tried this one ordering a men's 8 (too long but really narrow), and then a men's 7½. This one was too snug in the toe and still narrow. The tongue is also irritatingly long. Maybe this shoe would work out for guys not for me. In the end I bought the Mundial and absolutely love it! My daughter loved these and wears them daily.

This is a pretty good-looking shoe, but it has a pretty high arch molded into the bottom of it. I have medium to high arches and it was really uncomfortable for me. It's a shame - I was pretty excited about these shoes, but I sent them back right away - there's no way I could wear them.

Great for casual-wear and running around, this shoe is incredibly durable and stylish. I've worn Adidas shoes for playing tennis to great effect, and figured I'd give these a shot for everyday shenanigans. I measure as an 11E on Brannock device and found 11, 11.5, and 12 too small with Sambas due to the very narrow last. 12.5 was still quite narrow upon fitting, but 13 was far too long. I kept the 12.5s hoping the width would stretch out, and they have a bit, but throughout wear my big toe will goes numb. I have low arches and Sambas have either incredible or intrusive arch support, depending on your feet. It was noticeable at first, but only got worse for me as time and wear increased, to the point that my arches get numb and tingly. The leather upper isn't breathable like canvas or nylon, but it holds up better to moisture and cold. The sole is a hard-wearing compound that works great indoors and on carpet. It is fine on aspalt and grass, too, with a tread patten that is smooth with divots inside rather than nibs protruding to touch the ground, making this a decent shoe for any weather except ice or really wet and slick concrete. I have odd feet and was desperate to just find casual black shoes that would last me more than 6 months working as a server (Looking at you, Rockport.), figuring I'd throw them away soon. Instead, I've worn them for nearly 4 years and these Sambas have put up with me far longer than I expected without tears or separation of the upper from the midsole. Despite Samba being uncomfortable for me, I strongly recommend trying them out.

I had purchased this same style of Samba (with the longer tongue) by chance at a thrift store probably 4 or 5 years ago. They were practically new then, but should probably be replaced soon. I have been very happy with that shoe so I purchased this style looking to replace it. The fit was not the same! My previous pair had been a Men's 7 and I usually go for a 7.5 so that's what I ordered and they were still too short. The arch seems quite a bit higher, too. I looked at the tag and these are made in Vietnam where my old pair were made in Indonesia. I decided to also order the "Original" Samba (shorter tongue) also from Zappos. Those are much closer to my old pair and are also made in Indonesia. I will be returning the "classic" and keeping the "original."

First pair of Adidas, I selected this classic, the Samba classic for its classic unchanged look throughout the years. This shoe looks good with short, jeans, etc...whenever a tennis shoe is appropriate. This is like a gold standard of style. Having tried them on, I first removed the insole; I wear orthotic arch on a Spenco neoprene bed so I can't speak to it's arch support. My instant impression is that it reminded me of my soccer cleats I use to cut the lawn. The black plastic sides are at the same consistency and the tongue, padding the anterior ankle for indoor soccer is real and utilitarian. However, not playing soccer, I'll try folding it down as it chafes the area if you're going without socks or wearing low cut. The shoe is definitely not a D/Medium width in my opinion; more like a B+/C width, so it fits very tight out of the box and forward to the toes. This will likely loosen in time but it doesn't slip on like a comfortable tennis type shoe; and the loosening even will be less, given the manmade materials. This is definitely a serious, indoor soccer shoe for. Form-fitting with no wiggle room, binding the toes tight for better ball control and power translation through to the ball when kicking. All business.

Overall, I wish I had not ordered these. The first pair I ordered was way too long. The next pair I ordered was way too narrow. I keep trying to wear these thinking I will break them in, only to take them off shortly after because they are incredibly uncomfortable. The quality of the material does not seem to be on the same level as other Adidas shoes either.

I wear a size 12, and while they may be somewhat comfortable, these don't look quite as cool as I had hoped. I heeded the reviews that advised to order a half size larger, and I'm glad I did. Also consider the length of the tongue in the picture - it feels a little weird having this enormous tongue wrapping around my upper ankle. I'm sure it's designed that way for soccer purposes, but its sort of annoying for a casual sneaker.

Husband loves the shoe, but this new version has a very long tongue that is meant to fold over. He hates it, and now we have to return it.

I'm a die hard Samba fan, but this was the 2nd pair I've bought attempting to replace a 10 year old pair that were beyond use. Unfortunately both pairs have not been confortable to wear due to a much narrower toe area than in the original Sambas from a decade ago. I'd recommend if anything trying a half or full size larger shoe than you normally would just to see if that gets you any extra width, but for me I'll be returning these and looking around for a different casual soccer shoe for weekend wear. I'd love it if they released these in the original fit, but it seems to be a common complain amongst longtime Samba fans.

Pretty shoes - too bad the fit seemed too narrow. Also no arch support at all. Got similar looking Adidas Busenitz skate shoes instead. Much more comfortable, in my humble opinion.

If I could get the right fit, these should be a good cross-training shoe: flexible and lightweight but supportive, flat, non-compressive soles for both indoor cardio and weight training. The toe box is too small height-wise -- squeezed the tops of my toes. However, I use custom orthotics, so these may be taking up too much toe space. Width fit me okay across heel but a little snug across toes; however, I think the toe width probably would fit with wear and stretch. Thought the tongue was a little too long and annoying, but it can be folded out of the way.

I purchased these shoes for both the aesthetic look and hoping they would also function as running\/walking shoes. While I\'ve received many compliments on their look, I have to say that the shoe is fairly rigid and uncomfortable in the toe area. Perhaps this will loosen over time with more wear.

I really like the color and look. Comfort, not very good and little to no arch support. But what else would you expect from a Samba?

Great Looks, Bad Comfort - The Adidas Samba is a classic. It's sleek, attractive, and classy. Here's my problem: I have terrible feet and I use a special insole. First, the Samba's insole is extremely difficult to remove as Adidas glues it to the inside of the shoe. Second, the shoe is extremely shallow and fairly narrow. When I finally got my orthotics in, I couldn't get my foot in. I had to return these shoes :(.

Narrow fit - Nice, classic looking shoe. Fit is narrow around the bridge of the foot.

Very good looking shoe, but was a full size too big.

The tongue on this shoe is incredibly long and digs into the top of your foot. Very strange.

I've been wearing Sambas for years. This pair is different--it has a large, ridged "tongue" that is very uncomfortable. It seems to be made of something other than leather, so unlikely to soften up. Very disappointed!