Hard to find baby blue stripe with tan sole The Samba by adidas has long since ceased to be just what it originally was: a football shoe. The original model was designed in the late 1940s by adidas founder Adi Dassler. These were specifically designed to provide footballers with more grip when they had to play on the ice-covered field. In the meantime, the Samba has become an integral part of the streetwear scene. Characteristic of this sneaker icon are the striking basic design, the T-shaped toe area, the classic rubber outsole in retro design, the typical 3-stripes and, of course, the lettering on the side mostly in an eye-catching metallic look.