How many Sambas can one person own? If the adidas Samba OG Womens “Leopard / Core Black” (stylecode JI2735) is anything to go by: at least one more. This women’s edition drapes the familiar silhouette in pony hair leopard print, with black leather, a dark green heel tab and a gum outsole.
First, a quick word about the name, because it’s slightly misleading. adidas officially calls this colorway “Core Black / Collegiate Green / Cream White”, referring to the leather details and heel tab. What you actually see is something quite different: a bold tan-and-black leopard print across the side panels, made from short-haired pony hair. This is not a subtle shoe.
Leopard print on a low profile
And that’s exactly what makes it interesting. Leopard print on a bulky sneaker can quickly become too much; on the flat, slim Samba profile, the print has room to stand out without overwhelming the shoe. The black leather on the toe, heel and three stripes breaks up the surface and adds structure. The dark green heel tab only reveals itself on a second look, and that detail keeps the overall design feeling grown-up rather than simply wild.
Would I wear it myself?
Yes, but with one rule for myself: keep the rest of the outfit understated. Straight-leg black trousers or dark-wash jeans, a solid-colored top, and you’re done. The tones in the print — tan, chocolate brown and black — give you an easy natural palette to build on: camel, cream and dark brown. What I’d avoid: adding a second printed piece. Then two elements start competing for the same attention.
So this isn’t the shoe you grab blindly from the closet in the morning, but the one you choose deliberately when a simple outfit needs a centerpiece.
Pony hair requires a little extra care
Short-haired material behaves differently from smooth leather. Gently brush it in the direction of the hair from time to time to keep the print looking even. And keep it out of prolonged rain: this is a shoe for dry days rather than a wet commute.
The Samba remains the Samba
In terms of shape and fit, nothing changes about the familiar formula: a low profile, flexible upper and flat sole that’s comfortable to walk in. The Samba runs on the narrow side, so if you’re between sizes, going half a size up is usually the safest choice.
Compare smartly
This edition is available [sz_price_from stylecode=”JI2735″]. Samba prices can vary quite a bit from one retailer and size to another, as some sellers charge the recommended retail price while others come in noticeably lower. With a bold printed edition like this one, the difference can be even greater, since not every retailer carries it.
In short: a Samba that keeps the familiar profile but is anything but understated. If you were already considering a pair of Sambas and you’re willing to be a little daring, this is the version you’ll remember later. Curious about current availability? You can find this Samba OG [sz_price_from stylecode=”JI2735″]. With Solezilla, you can see at a glance which online retailers have your size and how much they charge.