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Buyer's Guide

adidas Handball Review & Sizing Guide

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A reissue of adidas' 1970s indoor-handball court shoe, the Handball Spezial is an easy buy if you want a slimmer, suede-and-gum terrace sneaker than a Samba, with a high arch that owners either love or find painful as the one real caveat.

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Key facts

Popularity
Steady terrace following, below Samba-level mainstream ubiquity.
Comfort
Fine for errands; thin forefoot sole, polarizing high arch.
Fit
Start at your Samba size; forefoot volume varies by colorway.
Value
Fair at retail, strong when discounted near $45-60.
Use case
Casual everyday wear, travel, and city walking.

Full breakdown

adidas built the Handball Spezial in the late 1970s as an indoor handball shoe, then watched it get pulled into Britain's terrace and Casuals scene, where slim adidas court silhouettes became a uniform. Decades of that subcultural history are why it now sells as a heritage casual sneaker rather than sports gear, and why buyers pick it as a quieter alternative to the Samba.

FAQ

Is the adidas Handball Spezial comfortable?

It is comfortable for casual wear and short days, but it is an 80s court shoe with a thin sole under the ball of the foot. The bigger variable is the arch: some owners find it a welcome support feature on long walking days, while others call it painful. If you do heavy step counts, treat it as a second shoe rather than your only travel pair.

How does the adidas Handball Spezial fit?

Most owners who also wear Sambas take the same size, since the Spezial runs a touch longer but settles in once laced with normal socks. Wide feet should be cautious, as sizing reports swing between true-to-size and a full size down. Forefoot volume also varies between suede and leather colorways, so use returns rather than assuming one size carries across pairs.

Is the adidas Handball Spezial easy to style?

Yes. Neutral suede-and-gum pairs work with denim, chinos, track pants, and knitwear, and one owner called it one of the most versatile sneakers after the Air Force 1. It sits in the same understated terrace lane as the Gazelle and SL 72, so brighter colorways just need a quieter outfit around them.

What should buyers watch for with the adidas Handball Spezial?

The recurring complaint is the toe box: owners report the suede sagging and rubbing the top of the big toe near the nail, sometimes badly enough to keep returning pairs. If you have a tall big toe or a high instep, try a pair in store before buying, size up half a size, or keep a shoe tree in them to push the toe box back into shape. Protect the suede in wet weather too.