How do adidas Spezial fit? What size to choose

If you already have Sambas or Gazelles in your closet, you'll instinctively want to get the same size. Good news, it works, but not for the reason you think: the Spezial is a little more generous in the front than its cousins, and that's precisely what compensates.

Adidas Handball Spezial shoes fit true to size in length: take your usual size. The forefoot offers a bit more room than on a Samba, so even moderately wide feet won't need an adjustment. The rest of this guide details special cases, size charts, and comparisons with other retro Adidas models.

Key takeaways in 30 seconds

·       True to size in length, no adjustment needed in the vast majority of cases.

·       Slightly more generous fit in the front than a Samba or Gazelle.

·       Very wide feet: half a size up, but rarely necessary.

·       Suede molds to your foot after a few wears, don't size up too much.

·       Same size as your Sambas and Gazelles if you already own them.

So, do they run big or small?

Neither. The Spezial fits true to size, which is quite rare for Adidas retro models. The length corresponds to the advertised size, without the half-size difference found in other silhouettes from the brand.

The feel in the front is a bit more comfortable than on a Samba. Where the Samba has a frankly narrow forefoot, inherited from indoor soccer, the Spezial leaves a little more room for the toes. It's not a wide shoe, just less tight: narrow feet will still be perfectly held, provided the laces are tightened.

Which size to choose depending on your feet

Your foot	What to take	Why
Standard	Your usual size	Length is accurate
Thin or narrow	Your usual size	Tighten laces, support comes from there
Wide	Your usual size	The front volume is sufficient in most cases
Very wide or high arch	Half a size up	Comfort for long days
Between two sizes	The smaller one	Suede molds to your foot, length cannot be adjusted

Adidas Spezial size chart

Foot length	FR / EU size	UK	US (men)
22 cm	36	3.5	4
22.5 cm	36 ⅔	4	4.5
23 cm	37 ⅓	4.5	5
23.5 cm	38	5	5.5
24 cm	38 ⅔	5.5	6
24.5 cm	39 ⅓	6	6.5
25 cm	40	6.5	7
25.5 cm	40 ⅔	7	7.5
26 cm	41 ⅓	7.5	8
26.5 cm	42	8	8.5
27 cm	42 ⅔	8.5	9
27.5 cm	43 ⅓	9	9.5
28 cm	44	9.5	10
28.5 cm	44 ⅔	10	10.5
29 cm	45 ⅓	10.5	11
29.5 cm	46	11	11.5

This is the official adidas size chart, identical to those in our other size guides. The right way to do it: measure your foot in the evening, standing, with your heel against a wall, and take the length of the longer of the two feet. A half-centimeter difference between the two is common.

Samba, Gazelle, Spezial: do they fit the same?

This is the most common question, because many customers already own one of the three.

Model	How it fits	Our advice
Samba (leather)	Normal, but narrow	True to size, plus 0.5 for wide feet
Gazelle (suede)	Normal, also narrow	Same logic as the Samba
Spezial (suede)	Normal, a little more embracing	True to size, no adjustment

Simply put: if you wear a 42 in Samba, you'll still wear a 42 in Spezial. The difference is in the comfort at the front, not in the length. However, don't use a Stan Smith as a reference: its tennis shape is wider and more rounded at the toe, and the feel is completely different. Our Samba size guide details the case of wide feet, and the Gazelle follows the same logic of a slender fit.

Where does this fit come from: the Spezial was a handball shoe

The Handball Spezial was released in 1979, designed for indoor handball. The specifications of a sport where players pivot, stop short, and restart explain its construction: suede upper, T-toe reinforcement, serrated three-stripes, gum sole for grip on the court, and an EVA midsole for cushioning.

This forefoot volume, which is surprising when coming from the Samba, comes from that: a handball player needs their toes to work. The shoe then left the gymnasiums for the English football terraces in the 80s, and has never truly returned.

Spezial and Nike: why you don't take the same size

This is the comparison that causes the most problems in stores, because many customers come with a Nike size in mind. The two brands do not build their shoes on the same lasts, and a direct transfer from one size to another often results in a return.

Nike's lifestyle silhouettes, Air Force 1 and Air Max in particular, are known to run larger than the stated size: this is already what we note in our Samba guide. Transferring this number as is to a Spezial, which fits true to size, results in a pair that seems shorter than what you're used to. In this specific case, do not start from your Nike size: measure your foot and refer to the chart in centimeters.

Your reference	What to aim for in Spezial
You know your adidas size	The same, no adjustment
You're starting from a Samba or a Gazelle	The same size, the length is identical
You're starting from a Nike size	Don't transfer the number, measure your foot
You're starting from a Stan Smith	The same size, but the front will be tighter
You don't know	Measure your foot and follow the chart in centimeters

The centimeter chart remains the ultimate reference: foot length does not depend on any brand, unlike a stated shoe size.

Which Spezial to buy depending on use

All Spezial models share the same base, but the choice of color and material changes how the pair ages.

For everyday use

Dark colors, navy blue or black, hide dust and scuffs well. This is the easiest choice if the pair is worn five days a week, and requires the least maintenance.

For a pair you keep clean

Light colors and two-tone suedes give the most faithful rendition of the model's spirit, but they require regular brushing. Plan to get a waterproofing spray when you buy them.

If you're looking for a rare model

Limited editions and collaborations are regularly released for this silhouette. Price follows rarity, and common sizes sell out first: for these references, it's better to know your shoe size in advance than to look for it at the time of the drop.

Caring for suede Spezial

Suede is not washed, it's brushed. Three steps are enough to keep a pair clean for years.

·       The crepe brush after every dirty outing, to straighten the nap and remove dust.

·       Special suede eraser on localized marks, rubbing gently, never with water.

·       Waterproofing spray before the first outing, then once a season.

What not to do: wet the upper, put the pair in the washing machine, dry them near a radiator. The suede hardens and the EVA midsole deforms.

Two reflexes to avoid returns

Try on the pair at the end of the day, when your foot is at its maximum volume. And loosen the laces well to slide your foot in: the Spezial's opening is tighter than it appears, and many customers too quickly conclude that the size is too small when it's the lacing that's blocking it.

If you hesitate between two sizes, take the smaller one. Suede stretches slightly after the first few wears, never the other way around.

Our available adidas Spezial

All our adidas Spezial are online with updated sizes. If you're still comparing, our Samba, our adidas Gazelle and our Campus share the same retro spirit.

Each pair is authenticated by our teams before shipping, and Click and Collect is available in our three stores, in Toulouse, Biarritz and Montpellier.

Your questions about adidas Spezial sizing

Do adidas Spezial run large?

No, they are true to size in length. The feeling of space comes from the volume at the front, which is a little more generous than on a Samba, but the announced size corresponds to the actual length.

What size Spezial should I get?

Your usual size. Half a size up only if you have very wide feet or a high arch.

Is it the same size as Samba?

Yes. The length is identical, only the volume at the front changes: the Spezial is a little less tight. If you wear a 42 in Samba, stick with a 42.

Are Spezial suitable for wide feet?

Better than the Samba and Gazelle, yes. It's the most accommodating of the three in the front. Really wide feet still gain half a size.

Do Spezial stretch out?

Slightly, on the first few wears, as the suede molds to the foot. This is enough to accommodate a slightly tight pair in width, but never enough to make up for a shoe that's too short: the gain is in comfort, not in centimeters.

How to care for Spezial suede?

Never direct water. A crepe brush to straighten the nap, an eraser for localized marks, a waterproofing spray before the first outing. And above all, no washing machine, as explained in our article on how to wash sneakers in a machine without damaging them.