Men's Sneakers adidas: Spezial, Run 70s
From the flooring of the seventies to today's pavement, the Spezial has come a long way: at adidas, men's sneakers have one foot in sports and the other on the street.
Archive models in suede, retro running silhouettes, everyday trainers in synthetic leather or mesh: pick your style, then your size.
Spezial: the basketball adidas that comes from handball
The Spezial tells the story of handball better than any other sneaker on this page. Originally designed for indoor play, with a rubber sole and a low upper, it has become a fashion item worn far from the gym. It keeps its codes: the three stripes on the side, suede and the rubber sole. Today, it's a city sneaker, not a match shoe.
Run 70s, Adipista, Technochaos: the retro lines adidas
Other models draw from the archives. The Run 70s takes on the look of running shoes from another era, with a slim silhouette and contrasting panels. The Adipista and Technochaos play with low silhouettes and bold colours, from white to black and royal blue. These are sneakers for walking and dressing, to choose according to your taste for clean or bolder lines.
Breaknet, Barreda, Streettalk: the everyday sneakers adidas
For everyday, adidas offers simple and easy-to-wear models. Breaknet, Barreda and Streettalk are low-top sneakers, often in white or black, that go well with jeans or joggers. The Lightblaze, Swift and Cloudfoam ranges focus more on lightness and walking comfort, helpful if you spend the day on your feet.
adidas in the city, adidas on the court: two different pairs
adidas outfits the French handball team, but its city sneakers don't replace its indoor shoes. A sneaker doesn't provide the lateral support or cushioning you need to string together footwork and jumps. On this page, you choose the pair for after the match, the commute or the office.
Hummel, Le Coq Sportif, Reebok: compare with adidas
If you want to compare, several nearby pages await you. The men's Hummel sneakers feature models with chevrons, like the Stadil. The page Le Coq Sportif offers sneakers from the French brand. The page Reebok gathers its everyday models, and Reebok Classics its heritage line. To see it all, head over to the men's sneakers page.
A sweet deal on a pair of adidas
The colours from last season often end up on sale. Check out the special offers lifestyle, then visit the shoe clearance page for end-of-line items. During the sales, the lifestyle sales page collects discounted sneakers.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Spezial fit large or small?
It generally fits true to your usual size, with a rather wide forefoot. If you have very wide feet, going half a size up might be justifiable, but that's rare, as the suede stretches with wear. The size guide in the product sheet remains your best reference.
How to care for a suede adidas sneaker?
Brush it dry with a crepe brush to remove dust and raise the fibers. A special suede eraser removes small stains. Protect it with a waterproofing spray, and avoid any washing machine.
Spezial, Samba or Gazelle: what's the difference?
These are three low-top sneakers born on the pitches, but not in the same way. The Spezial comes from handball and is the widest at the forefoot. The Samba, narrower, comes from futsal, and the Gazelle is known for its soft suede. The choice mainly depends on the shape of your foot and your style.
Can you wear a Spezial to the office?
In a casual environment, no problem. A sober colour, like black, off-white or navy, pairs well with chinos or raw jeans. Save the bright colours for the weekend.
Which adidas sneaker for walking all day?
Opt for a sole with some cushioning and a soft mesh upper, like the Cloudfoam or Lightblaze ranges. The archive models with thin soles look more stylish but are less comfortable over long distances.
