Earthy tones have been going strong for several seasons now, and the Adidas Handball Spezial in “Clay / Beige / Gum” (stylecode IH9761) fits right in. A classic silhouette in a warm clay shade, finished with a gum sole: understated, timeless and easy for anyone to wear.
The Handball Spezial was originally designed as an indoor court shoe, but these days you mostly see it out on the streets. And it’s easy to see why. The shape is flat and sleek, with that unmistakable Adidas profile, three stripes and the distinctive gold branding on the side. In this version, the upper comes in a clay shade — somewhere between burnt terracotta and earthy brown — paired with beige accents and a classic gum sole.
Why this colorway works
What I like about this combination is that it’s just a little different from the standard black or blue Spezial you see everywhere, while remaining completely versatile. Clay pairs effortlessly with denim, cream and brown tones. The gum sole brings the whole look together with a warm, vintage feel. It’s the kind of shoe you can put on without having to think about it, and for everyday wear, that may be the highest compliment of all.
Price-wise, this is also one of the more affordable options in the Spezial lineup: [sz_price_from stylecode=”IH9761″] is the minimum you’ll pay for it right now.
How does it fit?
The Spezial has a fairly narrow, low-profile fit. Personally, I find that flat models like this feel light and are easy to walk in on level ground, but you shouldn’t expect much cushioning. It’s perfectly comfortable for a day at the office, a trip into town or sitting at a café; for clocking up miles all day, I’d choose something with more support. People with wider feet often recommend going up half a size, and that seems like a sensible starting point here too.
Unisex in practice
This version is unisex, and that shows in the different ways people style it. With wide-leg trousers, it looks polished; paired with sweatpants, it feels laid-back. The color works year-round too: fresh next to light clothing in summer, and warm alongside wool and corduroy in autumn. Would I wear it myself? Absolutely. This is exactly the kind of shoe I reach for on days when I don’t feel like thinking about my outfit.
Want to know where to find this Spezial at the best price right now? On Solezilla, you can compare all prices, sizes and retailers side by side, with [sz_price_from stylecode=”IH9761″] as the current starting price. It’s worth checking, especially for a popular colorway like this.