Description

The Handball Spezial arrives here in a scarlet red makeup with crisp white leather Three Stripes and a gum sole that keeps the palette rooted in the shoe's indoor-sport origins. The upper combines soft suede with leather detailing, giving the color more depth than a flat all-red finish. First released in 1979 for elite handball players, the Spezial remains one of Adidas's purest indoor-court silhouettes.

This pair uses a suede upper with leather side stripes, a textile lining, and the low gum rubber outsole that defines the model. Gold Spezial branding sits alongside the stripes, while the slim profile, T-toe overlay, and thin tongue stay faithful to the original handball design. The gum sole keeps the shoe close to the ground with the firm, direct feel terrace shoes are known for.

If you've worn Sambas and want something less restrictive through the forefoot, the Handball Spezial fits noticeably wider with a thinner tongue and collar. The Samba remains the narrower and more structured option, while the Spezial offers more room straight out of the box.

The scarlet upper works especially well with washed denim, olive trousers, and neutral outerwear. The gum sole keeps it grounded enough to avoid reading like a bright seasonal sneaker.

THE DETAILS

Style: Adidas Originals Handball Spezial
Colorway: Scarlet / Cloud White / Gum
Upper: Suede with leather details
Stripes/Branding: Leather Three Stripes, metallic gold Spezial branding
Sole: Gum rubber outsole
Lining: Textile lining
Closure: Lace-up

FIT & SIZING

Listed in US Women's sizing. The Handball Spezial offers the roomiest fit of the classic terrace models and is generally regarded as true to size. Wider feet tend to do particularly well in this model thanks to the broader footbed and less restrictive upper shape. Men's equivalent: subtract 1.5 from the women's size (Women's 8.5 = Men's 7).