This isn’t simply a triple black adidas Samba. No, this is a rugged blacked-out skate shoe built by the German brand’s ADV skateboarding division.

Featuring the familiar Samba formula of a sleek leather upper, suede T-toe, three stripe branding, and a glint of gold Samba lettering, the ADV drains the color and doubles down on utility.

To make the ubiquitous Samba sneaker into a skate-ready shoe, this model comes reinforced with suede at high-wear zones, a snug internal fit, a grippier cupsole feel, and a cushioned insole built to take impact.

However, all those updates remain beneath the hood. In terms of shape alone, there’s no discernible difference between a classic Samba OG and this triple-black Samba ADV, which is a good thing.

The Samba’s meteoric rise to stardom over the past few years has been fueled by tasteful Wales Bonner collaborations and a wider shift toward flat-soled sneakers, but it’s also thanks to the Samba’s time-honored classic build.

That signature Samba look needs no improvement, it’s already a certified sneaker classic. And this ADV version doesn't try to fix what's not broken.

The triple-black Samba ADV is available now from adidas' website for $100.

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