10 Sneaker Styles To Buy If You Can't Find Sambas

Strangely, every time I do a dedicated shoe post on the site, it never does that well…. and by well I mean I can’t see any purchases made through my affiliate links. When I include a sneaker in an edit though, it is always, always the most purchased item. I have a theory about why that is…

Generally speaking, sneakers are usually more affordable than an all-leather heel or flat. Also, most of you reading this right now are like me — a style-conscious mum who has a lot of shit to get done throughout the day. Sneakers just fit the bill for looking good, being comfortable and making your outfit more modern and cool with minimal styling. Case in point — the Samba craze right now.

While Sambas are annoyingly very hard to nab, you can still try your luck on the Adidas site or places like JD Sports and Goat. If you’re fed up with the whole rigmarole surrounding them (I own them and actually find the whole process a total turn-off, to be honest!), then I have some very good alternatives.

As I’ve mentioned before on the site, I love sneakers and own quite a few pairs. Yes, that does include Sambas, but I actually wear a variety of styles at the moment depending on my outfits. I have some Gazelles from ten years ago that I still love to wear with leggings and a trench when carting the kids off to after-school sports; I own two pairs of New Balance, a Dad-style sneaker that I wear with a tracksuit when at home or running errands, and a more retro RC-30 style which look good with jeans. Most recently, I wear my Sambas with denim or with a maxi skirt — they look great dressed up or down and suit my narrow foot well!

If I were in the market for another pair right now, I’d probably head straight for a hiking-style trainer like the Salomon, or another pair of Gazelles but in a brighter hue. (Yep, hiking shoes are a thing — don’t shoot the messenger, just trust me, they’re cool.)

Here are 10 sneakers to buy right now if you need a little update… you’ll forget about Sambas when you own these, I promise!