#velosamba

The Velosamba cycling sneakers were released early this March in the UK and US markets. I was excited to see my favorite Adidas silhouette get an SPD version (DISCLAIMER OF MY BIAS), so without second-guessing, I went to the UK site and copped a pair. They finally arrived, and I've already used them for about 75km.

TL;DR: I lied. It doesn't suck. Believe the hype.

If you're still here...

Adidas UK shipped the shoes to my forwarder of choice for free. My card was charged 7,038PHP (100 GBP), which is not bad considering that regular Sambas retail at 5,300 PHP. Shipping to my doorstep through Shipping Cart cost me 1,919 PHP. The Crank Brothers compatible cleats I bought from Shopee cost 215 PHP. My total expense is 8,957 PHP. This is by no means a cheap price to pay for a pair of bicycling shoes, so I wasn't surprised that many people hated on the shoe.

I've read plenty of commentary in the Manila scene about the Sambavelo not being worth the price. People ripped into it for just being a commuter that won't support your foot well, the gum sole not being durable enough, and the shoe not being suitable for long rides. It seemed to me like baseless conjecture; none of these people has bought or used or even seen the shoe in person. But is there any truth to it?

It's probably just grumpy keyboard warriors who secretly want it for themselves attacking the shoe and anybody who buys it because they couldn't get it before it sold out or because they can't afford it.

COST

Let's exclude the cost of shipping in the value-for-money discussion. The shoe was released only in specific markets, and getting it outside of those markets will cost you more -- there are no two ways about it. Whether you are willing to/capable of or not of paying for it is a different matter. If this were released in your local market at the same SRP, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

The shoe is worth it in my humble but correct opinion at its SRP of 100 GBP or 120 USD or +- 7,000 PHP depending on the exchange rate. If you'd pay full price for both a new pair of Sambas and full price for a pair of Shimano MTB shoes, copping a pair of Velosambas makes sense. It is, after all, the best of both worlds.

FORM

This is a moot point. The Samba is a classic; ergo, it's widely accepted as a good-looking shoe. People have their tastes, and some might think it just looks okay, but if you think that the Samba is an ugly shoe, I don't think we can be friends... kidding.

That said, there's nothing visually remarkable about the shoe. It looks almost exactly like a regular Samba. The only visual difference is the gum sole, which is thicker to hide two-bolt cleats, and the band on the tongue to keep bunny ears in place. Oh, and the 3 Stripes are reflective, both for style and safety.

FIT

It fits true to size. I'm an 8UK with Adidas. While that's the case, the Velosamba does not feel the same as a regular Samba. Sure, the upper and inserts are just as snug and comfy, but the midsole is stiff. It doesn't flex much because it's reinforced with a plate similar to a regular cycling shoe. Some people might prefer to go half a size up and wear thicker sports socks.

FUNCTION

The shoe feels great while you're clipped in. My foot felt very supported and secure, which is the opposite of what naysayers said. I couldn't tell the difference between the Velosamba and my Shimano XC3 in terms of support while clipped in.

At first, my foot wasn't as comfy on my pedals because the Velosambas are wider than my XC3s, and they were rubbing on my cranks. I was having a bit of difficulty clipping out too. But fixing the position of my cleats eliminated these issues, and I was pedaling without any sole rub on my cranks and twisting out with ease.

This eliminates any unfounded concern that the gum soles wouldn't last long and would rip from clipping in and out. I use Crank Brothers Candy pedals, and with the cleats positioned correctly (I prefer them all the way back, closer to the midfoot to avoid numbing in my forefoot and toes, and as far to the medial side of the shoe), there's barely any contact with the gum sole. The little contact isn't enough to wreck your soles any faster than walking would.

In terms of walking, the shoe is better than your typical MTB shoe. Even with an MTB shoe, there's still a bit of clacking as the cleats still hit the ground. Granted, it's not as horrendous as road cleats, but it can still be annoying. There's none of that with the Velosamba. Overall, I was comfortable walking to and fro in these bad boys.

CLASS

The shoe is sold as a commuter, and it certainly lives up to its classification. When we're back to working in the office, this would be my daily shoe. I'd go as far as saying that I'd wear the shoe to anywhere in the metro that I'd go to on my bike. Like, say, to visit a pretty awesome girl in the South area...

Gone are the days of packing your sneaker of choice and switching shoes at your destination. But is it more than that; can the Velosamba fight outside of its class? Can it be an adventure shoe? The short answer is yes. The slightly longer answer is that any shoe can be an adventure ride shoe. Heck, sandals, which technically aren't even shoes, can be adventure ride shoes.

FINAL THOUGHTS

10/10. I love the Velosamba, but that's a given since I love the Samba in the first place. I love it so much that it restored my faith in Adidas after years of substandard and just dull, repetitive sneaker releases. Even Yeezys got boring. But objectively, the shoe isn't for everyone. The shoe is only suitable for you if:

You use two-bolt cleat pedals

You plan to use two-bolt cleat pedals

If you like the Samba but don't fit the above criteria and:

You're a fixed-gear rider who only believes in toe cages or straps

You only use flat pedals and are a hater

THEN BUY A REGULAR PAIR OF SAMBAS AND LET PEOPLE WHO LIKE THE SHOE ENJOY IT. NO ONE NEEDS YOUR COMMENTARY. PEACE.