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adidas has stood for sport, innovation, and one of the most influential design legacies in sneaker culture since 1949. From Herzogenaurach came shoes originally created for football, handball, tennis, basketball, and running that later became global style icons. As an authorised retailer, 43einhalb offers adidas classics such as the Samba, Gazelle, Handball Spezial, Superstar, and Stan Smith, alongside archive-inspired runners, ZX models, and modern interpretations of adidas heritage.
adidas models compared
From low-profile and terrace classics to retro and tech runners, these are some of the most important adidas silhouettes at 43einhalb. Each model page features the currently available colourways and versions.
| Model | Style | Standout feature |
|---|---|---|
| adidas Samba | Terrace / Low profile | Football heritage since 1950, T-toe and signature gum sole |
| adidas Handball Spezial | Terrace / Indoor | 1979 handball icon with a low-profile shape and gum sole |
| adidas Gazelle | Terrace / Retro | Clean suede design with adidas heritage dating back to the 1960s |
| adidas Superstar | Basketball / Streetwear | Iconic shell toe and deep roots in basketball, hip-hop, and street culture |
| adidas Stan Smith | Retro tennis | Minimalist tennis classic with perforated 3-Stripes |
| adidas SL 72 | Retro runner | Lightweight 1970s running heritage with a slim nylon-and-suede silhouette |
| adidas BW Army | Low profile | Minimal leather sneaker with retro training aesthetics |
| adidas ZX 8000 | Retro runner | Technical ZX running DNA and a distinctive late-1980s look |
| adidas Adistar Control 5 | Tech runner | 2000s running aesthetic with technical layering |
| adidas Adilette | Slide / Lifestyle | Minimalist 3-Stripes icon and unmistakable adidas DNA |
From Herzogenaurach to sneaker culture: adidas heritage
The adidas story begins in Herzogenaurach, where Adi Dassler founded the adidas sports shoe company in 1949 and the 3-Stripes became the brand’s defining mark. Many of today’s best-known lifestyle sneakers were originally designed for sport rather than streetwear. The Samba emerged from football, the Gazelle became a versatile training classic, and the Handball Spezial was introduced in 1979 for indoor sport.
The Superstar brought adidas from the basketball court into hip-hop and global street culture, while the Stan Smith made the transition from performance tennis shoe to minimalist style icon. The SL 72 represents the brand’s lightweight running heritage of the 1970s, while models such as the LA Trainer later continued that archive story with technical running design and instantly recognisable details.
This journey from functional sports footwear to cultural icon is central to adidas. It is also why so many archive silhouettes remain relevant decades after their original release.
SPZL, EQT and ZX: adidas archive beyond the biggest icons
adidas heritage goes far beyond Samba, Gazelle, Superstar, and Stan Smith. For collectors and fans of the adidas archive, SPZL, Equipment (EQT), and the ZX series represent some of the brand’s most important chapters.
adidas SPZL was launched in 2014 under Gary Aspden and draws heavily on rare archive models, terrace culture, and British adidas subculture. Rather than simply reproducing historic shoes, SPZL takes details, materials, and silhouettes from different eras and reworks them for the present.
adidas Equipment – EQT for short – has represented a particularly functional design philosophy since 1991: everything needed for sport, with nothing unnecessary. Its clean visual language, technical running silhouettes, and distinctive Equipment branding made EQT one of the defining adidas lines of the 1990s and later an important part of streetwear culture.
The adidas ZX series began in 1984 as a progressive running family and introduced numerous technical and visual innovations over the years. Models such as the ZX 8000 now stand for the combination of performance history, distinctive colourways, and deep archive references that makes ZX especially important to adidas collectors.
From archive to innovation: Climacool and the future of adidas design
adidas does not only revisit its archive – it also continues to develop new sneaker concepts. Climacool is a good example of how the brand connects running technology, distinctive design, and lifestyle. The original Climacool runners of the early 2000s focused on ventilation and technical performance and have since returned as sought-after retro-tech sneakers.
At the same time, newer concepts such as the 3D-printed Climacool Laced push the idea in a completely different direction. Its open lattice structure is designed for all-around airflow and shows how adidas is translating new manufacturing technologies into contemporary lifestyle footwear. This creates a direct connection between the brand’s technical archive and the future of sneaker design.
Terrace, low profile, or retro runner: Which adidas suits you?
If you are looking for a slim sneaker, the Samba, Handball Spezial, Gazelle, and BW Army are natural choices. Their low-profile shapes sit visually close to the foot and work especially well with wide-leg trousers, denim, and classic terrace-inspired outfits.
The Superstar adds a stronger basketball and streetwear influence, while the Stan Smith is the cleaner option for anyone looking for a minimalist leather sneaker. For classic running heritage, the SL 72 offers a lightweight 1970s silhouette. If you prefer more technical details, the ZX 8000 delivers classic retro-running DNA, while the Adistar Control 5 leans more heavily into the tech-runner aesthetic of the 2000s.
For summer, holidays, and easy everyday wear, the Adilette remains one of the most recognisable adidas classics.
New adidas colourways, collaborations, and limited releases
adidas continuously combines its extensive archive with new colourways, collaborations, and reinterpretations of historic models. Familiar silhouettes regularly return in new materials and colour combinations, while selected archive styles are revived after years away.
New adidas releases and limited drops arrive regularly at 43einhalb. Upcoming launches can be found in our Coming Soon section.
Frequently asked questions about adidas sneakers
Which adidas sneakers are the most important classics?
The most important adidas classics include the Samba, Gazelle, Handball Spezial, Superstar, Stan Smith, and SL 72. Their roots lie in football, training, handball, basketball, tennis, and running. Today, these models are mainly worn as lifestyle sneakers. Archive families such as ZX and EQT are also essential parts of adidas heritage for retro-running and archive fans.
What is the difference between adidas Samba, Gazelle and Handball Spezial?
All three models have slim retro silhouettes, but their origins and shapes differ. The Samba comes from football and feels especially low and narrow. The Gazelle is a versatile training classic known for its suede look. The Handball Spezial was originally designed for indoor sport and combines a low-profile shape with a distinctive gum sole. The best choice depends mainly on your foot shape and the look you prefer.
What makes the adidas Superstar so important?
The adidas Superstar began as a basketball shoe before becoming closely associated with hip-hop, music, and street culture. Its leather upper, low-cut shape, and signature rubber shell toe made it one of the most recognisable adidas sneakers in the world and an important link between sport and lifestyle.
How do adidas sneakers fit?
Fit varies significantly by model. Low-profile and terrace styles such as the Samba and Gazelle tend to fit relatively narrow, while other adidas models may offer more room. You will find model-specific fit information on the relevant product and model pages. If you have wider feet, it is particularly important to check the size recommendation for narrow retro models.
What does adidas SPZL mean?
adidas SPZL is a line launched in 2014 that is strongly influenced by the adidas archive and British terrace and sneaker culture. Under the creative direction of Gary Aspden, historic adidas designs, rare archive models, and cultural references are reworked for new collections.
What does EQT mean at adidas?
EQT stands for adidas Equipment. Introduced in 1991, the line focused on functional sports products and a reduced design philosophy centred on what athletes actually needed. Technical running shoes and distinctive EQT branding made Equipment one of the defining adidas lines of the 1990s.
What is the adidas ZX series?
The adidas ZX series is a running family that began in 1984. It stands for technical innovation, distinctive colourways, and progressive running-shoe design. One of its best-known models is the adidas ZX 8000, which is now mainly worn as a retro runner and archive classic.
What is adidas Climacool?
adidas Climacool refers to footwear and technologies developed around ventilation and breathability. Classic Climacool runners from the early 2000s are now part of the retro-tech revival, while newer designs such as the 3D-printed Climacool Laced use modern manufacturing methods and an open lattice structure for all-around airflow.
Which adidas sneaker works best for a low-profile look?
For a particularly slim and low-profile look, the Samba, Handball Spezial, Gazelle, and BW Army are especially suitable. The Samba looks particularly narrow, while the Gazelle and Handball Spezial can offer slightly more visual volume depending on the version.
How should I care for adidas suede sneakers?
Clean suede and nubuck when dry using a suitable suede brush and apply a protective spray regularly. Avoid heavy moisture and washing machines. Smooth leather can be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap. Suitable brushes, cleaners, and protective sprays can be found under Cleaning & accessories.
Are the adidas sneakers at 43einhalb authentic?
Yes. 43einhalb is an authorised adidas retailer and sells only authentic products sourced directly from the manufacturer or its official distribution channels.
