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Buyer's Guide

adidas SL 72 Review & Sizing Guide

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A 1972 Munich Olympics retro runner with surprisingly good RS comfort and a wider fit than the Samba, but the outsole is dangerously slippery on wet surfaces and the nylon upper wrinkles and dents by design.

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Key facts

Popularity
50-year-old Munich Olympics heritage; gaining momentum as a Samba alternative
Comfort
RS version compared to Ultraboost; OG is thin and flat like a plank
Fit
Runs half to full size big — size down; RS fits wider than OG
Value
Outstanding — $100 retail, routinely $28-65 at outlets
Use case
Casual daily wear, concerts, festivals, dry-weather rotation
Risk
Outsole has zero wet traction; nylon wrinkles; suede needs care

Full breakdown

Built for the 1972 Munich Olympics, the SL 72 was a competition running shoe from an era when adidas chased the lightest possible build, hence the Super Light name. Its nylon-and-suede upper and wedge midsole defined a generation of trainers before foam and stability tech took over. The retro vintage-runner wave, plus campaign visibility with names like Bella Hadid, pulled it back into rotation as a slim everyday shoe.

FAQ

How does the SL 72 fit?

Runs big, so go half a size down. The consensus is strong across owner threads: buyers report the SL 72 RS fitting best a half size down, including wide-footed owners who still found room after sizing down. The RS version runs meaningfully wider than the OG. For narrow feet, a full size down may be needed.

SL 72 vs Samba which is better?

The SL 72 RS is lighter, wider, and more cushioned than the Samba, and skips the Samba's heel bite. The Samba uses fuller leather, a more durable gum sole, and is the more iconic silhouette. Pick the SL 72 as the easier daily driver and the Samba as the style statement; fashion roundups still place both in the current adidas rotation.

Can I wear SL 72s in the rain?

No. The SL 72 is a dry-day style shoe, not a wet-weather one, so avoid wearing it in rain. Owners report near-zero traction on wet pavement and the suede absorbs water, and reviewers rate grip as a weak point in the SL 72's overall assessment. Adidas sells adi-tex versions for wet climates if you want an all-weather pair.

Will the nylon upper wrinkle?

Yes, and it is by design, so do not treat it as a defect when buying. The thin unstructured nylon develops toe dents and wrinkles with wear, a trait owners flag alongside other build quirks in quality-control discussion. Use a shoe tree to hold the shape; if wrinkles bother you, choose the leather Samba instead.