A Samba and a Campus 00s can share the same three stripes and still look miles apart on foot. The Samba has a slim leather profile, while the Campus takes its shape from the wider, padded skate shoes of the 2000s. That variety runs through women's adidas trainers, with designs borrowed from indoor football, handball, athletics and basketball. Some have barely changed in decades. Others take familiar adidas details somewhere new.
adidas Samba, Spezial and the Low-Profile Look
Few trainers carry their sporting history as visibly as the adidas Samba. The T-toe, leather upper and low gum sole come from its football background, giving it a close, streamlined shape. The Handball Spezial has a slightly rounder profile, with suede versions bringing more texture to the familiar three-stripe design. There's a noticeable difference between the cleaner leather finish of a Samba and the softer appearance of a suede Spezial, particularly once they've had a few wears.
The adidas Gazelle has developed a family of its own. Gazelle Indoor is recognisable by its translucent gum sole, while Gazelle Bold raises the profile with a stacked outsole. Gazelle Lo Pro heads in the opposite direction, with slimmer proportions and a stripped-back shape. If you've already settled on the Gazelle, those differences are worth considering before choosing a colour.
From Vintage Track Shoes to Modern Running
There are plenty of interesting pairs beyond adidas' best-known terrace trainers. The Japan and Tokyo take a more minimal approach, with narrow shapes and thin soles influenced by vintage training footwear. Both sit neatly beneath wider trousers without adding much bulk. The SL 72 has more obvious running roots, combining nylon, suede and a lightweight EVA midsole for a classic track-inspired look. Its proportions give it a different character from the flatter, court-based designs.
For something with more volume, Campus 00s brings wider laces and padded skate-era styling, while Superstar II retains its familiar shell toe and leather construction. The adidas Adizero Evo SL is a bigger departure. Built around a lightweight running upper and Lightstrike Pro cushioning, it offers a much more substantial foam midsole than the traditional adidas Originals range. It's worth considering if you're drawn to modern running footwear, particularly if you also want a shoe for training.
Choosing Your Women's adidas Trainers
Fit, materials and everyday wear are worth considering once you've found a silhouette you like. Leather is generally easier to wipe clean, suede needs more care in wet weather, and lightweight textile uppers can offer better airflow. Sizing can vary between adidas models, so check the individual product information rather than assuming your usual size will feel identical across the range.
From black and white women's adidas trainers to brown suede, burgundy, pink and colourful gum-soled editions, there's plenty of choice. Browse the latest women's adidas casual trainers at Pro:Direct Lifestyle and filter by model, UK size, colour and price.
