I am a sneaker girl through and through. In fact, I look for pretty much any excuse to ditch my heels for the more supportive, comfortable style. And while I’ve cycled through quite a few favorites from Adidas, including the beloved Sambas and Gazelles, there’s a new design that I reach for nearly every time I’m headed out the door: the Handball Spezial shoes.

The sneakers were originally released in the ’70s as indoor sports shoes and were just recently revived with an all-new collection of colors, including the perfect Kelly green pair that’s barely left my feet since they arrived in the mail almost two months ago. 

Handball Spezial Shoes

The Spezial shoes bear a resemblance to both the wildly popular OG Sambas and Gazelles but with a slightly more retro feel and thicker sole. They’re lightweight with a comfortable and breathable construction that doesn’t feel too constricting when I’m trekking through Manhattan. The rubber outsole also offers the ideal amount of traction. 

Because I’m a practical girl who hates the subway but can’t afford constant Ubers, I walk so much in the city — and more times than not, in my Spezials. Just this weekend, I set out for a 4.5-mile walk back to my East Village apartment from the Upper West Side and was surprised to arrive home without so much as a single blister on my feet — something I couldn’t say about my beloved Sambas. Plus, the cushion-y sole and supportive shape kept my feet comfortable for all 15,000+ steps home.

Shoppers agree too, raving that the style is “as comfortable as it gets” and an “everyday walk[ing] shoe.” One customer added that they’re even “better than the Sambas.” A third person chimed in, adding that the shoe “exceeded” their expectations.

While, much like the Sambas and Gazelles, the Spezials can be difficult to find in stock, there are plenty of sizes available if you’re not sold on what color in particular. Head over to Adidas to score a pair for yourself, or keep scrolling to browse similar styles that we also love. 

Sambae Shoes 

Samba OG Shoes

Gazelle Indoor Shoes 

Gazelle Sneakers 

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