Adidas’ New Leopard-Printed Sambas Look Like Wales Bonner Collaborations

Riley Jones

8 January 2025 at 4:07 pm·3-min read

One of Adidas’ most popular — and most expensive — collaborations with Wales Bonner has been the hairy, leopard-printed Samba launched in November 2023. While the aftermarket asking prices remain high, there will soon be a chance for fans to pick up a similar look at a far more reasonable rate.

Official product images of two women’s Adidas Samba OG colorways have surfaced which show the classic sneaker in spotted looks reminiscent of the popular Wales Bonner makeup. Both pairs are covered in a faux pony hair material printed with a leopard pattern and use the Samba’s signature gum rubber sole.

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Adidas Samba OG women’s ‘Core Black/Preloved Red/Cream White’ (lateral). Credit: Adidas/House of Heat

Differences are minor, with the “Core Black/Preloved Red/Cream White” colorway being a bit more liberal in its use of the hairy material, which covers the eyestay and the toe tip. A set of shoelaces which match the red liner give this pair some added pop. Meanwhile, on the “Core Black/Collegiate Green/Cream” option, black leather fills in the eyestay and toe to match the Three Stripes branding and heel tab.

Adidas Samba OG women’s ‘Core Black/Collegiate Green/Cream’ (lateral). Credit: Adidas/House of Heat

As for Wales Bonner’s actual collaboration, the November ’23 leopard release regularly resells for nearly $1,000, with certain sizes going for almost twice as much. And although the designer’s Samba sneakers may be nearing the point of saturation, there’s more expected to come in 2025. The designer’s spring ’25 Paris show featured a Samba completely covered in glittery sequins (below). Most recently, Wales Bonner coated the Samba in croc.