【Circles Tokyo】ADIDAS Velo Samba

2024/8/1 木村まさし

Circles Tokyo has a new arrival: the ADIDAS Velo Samba.

A sneaker that turns the classic ADIDAS Samba into a clipless cycling shoe.

I’ve been keeping an eye on the fact that ADIDAS has been releasing quite a bit of cycling apparel and footwear lately (and I’ve actually been pretty curious about it), and now, they are available exclusively at our Tokyo store.

The origins of the Samba go back to football shoes. It’s said to be one of the oldest ADIDAS models, equipped with a sole designed to grip the slippery winter roads of Germany, where the company was founded.

The name "Samba" was chosen to commemorate the 1950 World Cup held in Brazil, named after the country's music, the "samba."

Over its long history, the model has been refined and has become an icon of street fashion.

While the Velo Samba, based on that model, is often presented in a street-fashion context, we thought that by utilizing the "grip and traction" that are the hallmarks of the Samba, it should definitely be great for our kind of riding too! So, we took them for a ride in the mountains of Gifu, mixing both on-road and off-road terrain.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-IBN3cvBWu/

Compared to standard cycling shoes, the sole is softer. People who prefer a thin, stiff sole that allows for a direct feel might find it lacking, but for our unhurried, "un-raced" riding style, it’s just right.

You can't ride super fast in them, but they’re comfortable and keep you from getting tired. In fact, I noticed a difference in how much fatigue I felt the next day (personal opinion, of course).

And "not being too stiff" means they are comfortable to walk in.

On rocky ground or trails, there are times when you have to push or carry your bike, and that's where the soft sole really comes in handy. The grip and traction are also plenty good. This might even be great for gravel or trail riding!

I’d recommend these as a first pair for anyone new to clipless pedals.

Flat pedals are all the rage lately, and to be honest, interest in clipless shoes at our shop has been a bit sluggish, but for those who have only ever ridden flat pedals, I really want you to give the Velo Samba a try.

It opens up a wonderful world that only cycling can show you. (Personally, I recommend pairing them with XTR pedals.)

Of course, they’re designed for city use too, so the iconic 3-stripes are reflective.

With the hype around NIKE settling down, it feels like people are shifting their focus to ADIDAS, so they definitely have that fashionable appeal. There’s also a sense of a comeback for "lo-tech" sneakers. And yeah, they’re great for an old-school guy like me, too.

Available in White and Navy. They look classic and sharp.

Precisely because flat pedals are so popular right now, the Velo Samba feels like a refreshing choice. They aren't tied to any specific field, and you can wear them in your own style however you see fit—so if you’ve been thinking that "clipless shoes feel too sporty," I really hope you give these a try.