Adidas Is Putting Animal Prints Inside of Its Classic Sneakers
After establishing a hit formula by applying various animal prints to its classic sneakers such as the Samba, Adidas is switching up its approach with an upcoming version of its Handball Spezial model.
This time, rather than covering the upper in a pattern, the brand will take a more reserved approach by adding a cow print to the inner liner of the retro shoe. Official Adidas product images shared by House of Heat show a “Chalky Brown/Off White/Gum Five” colorway which isn’t too far removed from other Handball Spezial styles that are currently available.
However, this upcoming pair is a women’s exclusive and is of course differentiated by its black-and-white spotted lining. The rest of the sneaker is even more toned down than usual, forgoing its usual gold foil branding for a more subtle white which matches its serrated Three Stripes logo.
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Following the success of Wales Bonner’s exotic-patterned Adidas Samba collaborations, the Herzogenaurach, Germany-based athletic footwear brand began slowly introducing the concept on its in-line sneakers. Despite not being as limited as the collaborations, even the general release styles have proved difficult to track down at retail with quick sell-throughs.
The cow print pattern was applied to a Samba in February and last year, Adidas released a women’s Handball Spezial with a similar restrained design, using leopard print only on the shoe’s Three Stripes branding.
While not nearly as audacious as some of the fully flooded Adidas animal print looks, the cow print-lined Handball Spezial may offer an alternative for those who want a little extra flair from their terrace shoes without going all-out.
A firm release date has not been confirmed, but readers can expect this pair to begin hitting adidas.com and select stores this summer at a retail price of $110.
