Does this sneaker run true to size for most people, or should I size up/down?

With only 2 reviews available and no specific fit notes in the product data, we generally find that the Adidas Samba OG style runs true to size for most, though some customers with wider feet prefer going up half a size. We recommend trying your usual size first, as the removable footbed allows for some adjustment if needed.

What is the best way to clean the braided leather upper without damaging the delicate weave?

We recommend gently cleaning the braided leather upper with a soft, dry brush to remove dirt, then using a damp cloth with a mild leather cleaner for spot cleaning—avoid soaking the weave. Do not machine wash or submerge the sneakers, as the delicate openwork construction can be damaged by excess water.

Is the faux leather component in the upper made from a specific material like polyurethane, and what percentage of the upper is genuine vs faux leather?

The product lists the upper as a blend of genuine and faux leather but does not specify the exact material type for the faux component or the percentage split. In the footwear industry, faux leather is commonly polyurethane (PU), and we expect that is the case here, but the precise ratio is not published.

How well does the non-skid rubber sole grip on wet or slippery surfaces?

The embossed non-skid rubber sole is designed for good traction, and the tread pattern provides reasonable grip on wet surfaces for everyday wear. However, for heavy rain or very slick conditions, we recommend caution as it is not a specialized wet-weather sole.

How does the braided leather construction hold up over time—does the weave loosen or show signs of wear?

The braided leather construction is reinforced with a T-toe design for better support and abrasion resistance, which helps the weave hold its shape over time. While we expect the braiding to remain intact with normal wear, as with any woven material, avoid rough surfaces that could snag or loosen the threads.

Adidas Originals

Braided Leather Samba Og Sneakers Women

4/5 (2)

CA$160.00CAD

In Stock

These adidas Originals Samba OG sneakers are women's low-top casual shoes with a distinctive openwork braided upper made from a mix of genuine and faux leather. Key features include a leather-lined heel, T-toe reinforcement for durability, a padded collar, a removable foam footbed with a leather cover, and a non-skid embossed rubber outsole. Customer reviews indicate the fit runs narrow and small, so consider sizing up, especially for wider feet.

Material: Genuine and faux leather upper, leather lining, foam footbed, rubber outer sole
Gender: female
Style: casual, classic, retro, heritage
Category: Apparel & Accessories > Shoes

Color

Black

Size

66.5789.5

View on merchant site JSON

Specifications

Women's braided leather sneakers from adidas Originals with a stylish openwork upper and comfort features.

Openwork braided upper, T-toe reinforcement, padded collar, removable footbed, non-skid rubber sole

Material: Genuine and faux leather upper, leather lining, foam footbed, rubber outer sole
Style: casual, classic, retro, heritage
Occasion: everyday, casual, weekend
Gender: female
Age Group: adult
Condition: new
Category: Apparel & Accessories > Shoes

Additional Attributes

Openwork braided upper made of genuine and faux leather
Leather lining at the heel only
T-toe reinforcement for support and abrasion resistance
Comfortable padded collar
Metallized logo on tongue
Removable foam footbed with leather top cover
Embossed non-skid rubber outer sole
Model number HQ9282

Product Insights

The Adidas Originals Braided Leather Samba OG for women combines the heritage Samba silhouette (designed 1949, redesigned 1972, second best-selling Adidas shoe) with an openwork braided upper of genuine and faux leather that develops patina and allows passive airflow for warm-weather wear. Its metallic logo and woven texture support smart-casual styling, replacing a polished loafer, while the T-toe and cord stabilize the weave and protect high-wear zones. The padded collar and removable leather-topped footbed ease break-in and allow insole swaps, but the low-profile sole delivers minimal shock absorption (47 SA) and a thin footbed returning 52% energy, trading off ground feel for cushioning. True to size (half up for wide feet), the sneaker offers dependable wet traction for daily use, not a rain sole. Care is brush-clean and avoid soak, and the breathable upper reduces moisture damage for longevity.

Verified claims

Heritage: The Samba OG silhouette, designed in 1949 and redesigned in 1972, is the second best-selling Adidas shoe ever, fitting into terrace culture, skateboarding, and smart casual styles.
Braided upper: Openwork braided upper made from genuine and faux leather, with a metallized logo and patina development.
Comfort: Padded collar and removable leather-topped footbed add comfort, but the low-profile sole has minimal shock absorption (47 SA).
Breathability: Openwork braided upper allows passive airflow, making the shoe cooler for warm weather.
Styling: Metallic logo and woven texture enable smart‑casual dressing and contrast with sleek fabrics.
Upper durability & care: The braided upper develops patina, holds shape with synthetic cord, and requires gentle cleaning.
Cushioning: Thin footbed returns 52% energy, 47 SA shock absorption.
Footbed and collar: Leather-topped footbed and padded collar ease break-in and allow insole swaps.
Upper break-in: Leather softens while cord prevents stretching, improving fit.
Smart-casual: Metallic logo, T-toe detail, and black braided design allow the sneaker to replace a polished loafer for smart-casual wear.
Patina: Braided leather upper develops a unique patina over time.
Weave durability: Cord stabilizes weave and resists snags; T-toe and heel lining protect high-wear zones.
Longevity features: Brush-clean and avoid soak; swap footbed; breathable upper reduces moisture damage.
Sizing: True to size; half up for wide feet; removable insole and T-toe fit retention.
Wet traction: Dependable grip on wet surfaces for everyday wear; not a rain sole.
Ground feel: Low-profile sole with zoned flex gives a stable, natural feel.
Toe protection: T-toe overlay protects the upper from abrasion during toe-drag.
Cleaning method: Clean with a dry brush then damp cloth with mild cleaner; avoid soaking or scrubbing.
Footbed care: Removable footbed lifts out for airing or gentle spot cleaning.

Product record

Title: Braided Leather Samba Og Sneakers Women
Brand: Adidas Originals
Price: 160 CAD
Availability: In stock
Rating: 4 stars, 2 reviews, scale 5

Deep Research

The design history behind the Samba OG

The silhouette was overhauled in 1972 with a lower ankle cut, heel padding, and a zoned outsole, which transformed it from a winter training boot into the indoor soccer shoe that dominated futsal courts for decades — the lower ankle and padded collar on the braided leather version descend directly from that pivotal redesign.
The original outsole was engineered with a suction-based gum rubber tread to grip frozen German training fields in the 1950s, and that same gum outsole construction still defines the Samba's low-profile stance today, giving the braided leather version the same indoor-heritage ground connection.
By the late 1970s, Liverpool's football casuals had adopted the Samba as part of a designer sportswear uniform that included brands like Lacoste and Fila, making a shoe meant for indoor pitches the centerpiece of Britain's most influential working-class fashion subculture — the braided leather update now transmits that same unpretentious terrace credibility.
Adolf Dassler personally designed the Samba in 1949 and introduced it in 1950, making this one of the oldest athletic shoe silhouettes in continuous production — well into its seventh decade without fundamental shape changes to the T-toe and gum sole.
With over 35 million pairs sold worldwide, the Samba is the second-best-selling Adidas silhouette of all time behind only the Stan Smith, a volume that underscores how deeply this design is woven into everyday street style — the braided leather version is a continuation of that mass cultural reach, not a limited novelty.
Skateboarders in the 1990s discovered the Samba's low-to-the-ground sole and reinforced panels made it a viable skate shoe, extending its life beyond football and terrace culture — that accidental versatility is part of the reason a braided leather Samba still feels right on a board as well as on a cafe floor.

The real impact of mixed leather materials

The natural leather woven into the upper will darken and develop a one-of-a-kind patina over time, absorbing scuffs and oils to create a personalized vintage effect — a characteristic synthetic materials cannot replicate and that makes each pair feel more like a worn-in artisan piece than a mass-market sneaker.
The openwork upper weaves genuine leather strips with synthetic cord, so the leather will develop a rich patina and soften with wear while the cord provides structural integrity that prevents the weave from stretching out or losing shape — a rare braided shoe that evolves aesthetically without becoming sloppy.

Styling the braided leather upper

Crew socks are a known styling trick to make Sambas feel intentionally styled, and against the braided leather's openwork texture, a ribbed white crew sock introduces a layered textile interplay at the ankle that reads as curated street-style when paired with cropped trousers or cuffed jeans.
The Samba OG works famously well with fluid midi skirts to mix sporty and elegant; here the braided upper adds a third, matte-woven texture that contrasts beautifully with the sleekness of satin or silk, deepening the outfit’s visual interest without introducing a competing pattern.
The T-toe overlay — a feature dating to the Samba’s 1950 indoor-football origins — stands out more prominently against the woven upper than it would on smooth leather, visibly anchoring the shoe in its retro lineage. When styled with vintage-inspired pieces like rugby shirts or pleated trousers, that detail reinforces a cohesive mid-century aesthetic.
The metallic logo on the tongue catches light subtly and together with the braided leather creates a 'quiet luxury' finish — fashion bloggers call the black Samba the most versatile shoe for dressing down high-fashion looks, and the metallic accent adds a nuance that coordinates with silver jewelry without shouting for attention.
Black Sambas are the most elegant colorway, sitting convincingly under tailored trousers where white cannot, and the openwork braided upper on this model adds an artisanal texture that pushes it closer to a polished loafer alternative — effectively expanding the territory where the sneaker feels appropriate to smart-casual offices and dinner dates.

Braided vs classic Samba OG compared

The classic suede T-toe overlay remains intact as a structural brace, so the open weave doesn't sacrifice the abrasion resistance that originally protected indoor-soccer players' toes — the look is decorative, but the forefoot protection is genuine.
The defining shift from the smooth leather/suede Samba OG is a breathable braided upper woven from genuine and faux leather that transforms the shoe from a minimalist athletic icon into a textured lifestyle piece — each hole in the weave passively vents heat, making this variant inherently cooler on warm days.
A padded collar is added around the ankle, a comfort feature often missing on the lean athletic Samba OG, making the braided version kinder for bare-skin wear and giving it a more finished, casual-sneaker feel.
Leather lining is applied only at the heel, where it eases the foot entry and reduces irritation from the Achilles area, while the forefoot remains unlined — a targeted detail that keeps the braided upper's light, airy architecture feeling consistent throughout the shoe.
A metallic logo on the tongue replaces the standard print, giving the tongue a subtle shimmer that visually separates this edition from the field-Samba lineage — it signals that the intended context is the street, not the pitch.
Where the standard Samba OG uses a thin EVA insole that many owners immediately swap, this braided women's edition comes with a removable foam footbed topped in leather — the step-in feel is cushier out of the box and the leather cover adds a refined touch absent from the performance-oriented OG.

Cushioning and all-day comfort breakdown

Despite the minimal cushioning, the same lab test recorded an above-average energy return of 52%, so the footbed returns a noticeable amount of energy with each stride, creating a lively, agile feel that keeps the shoe from feeling dead underfoot during casual wear.
A generous padded collar and the heel leather lining deliver a plush, non-abrasive heel entry that offsets the thin footbed and gives the shoe a broken-in feel from the first wear, reducing the typical break-in hotspots on the Achilles.
The removable footbed is a single layer of thin EVA foam, measuring 11.7 mm in the forefoot, 20.3 mm in the heel, and an 8.6 mm heel-to-toe drop, creating a nearly flat ride that places the foot close to the ground and privileges a connected board feel over deep cushioning.
RunRepeat's lab measured a shock absorption score of just 47 SA — among the lowest in the casual sneaker category — meaning the footbed transfers more impact to the foot than a modern cushioned shoe would, which keeps the sneaker true to its 1950 indoor-soccer flat-soled design and makes it best suited for short urban strolls rather than marathon walking.
The footbed's leather top cover, together with the heel-only leather lining, stiffens the step-in out of the box but then softens and conforms to the foot over roughly a week of short wears, after which many owners of standard-width feet find the shoe comfortable enough for full work shifts.
Because Adidas designed the footbed as a fully removable component, owners can lift out the stock EVA layer and replace it with a thicker orthotic or gel insert — a rare feature in heritage sneakers that turns the Samba OG into a customizable comfort shoe for all-day standing without altering the upper's fit.

Image Analysis

3 images

01: Product
Left-foot Samba-style sneaker shown on model; visible braided/textured black upper, three white side stripes, off-white heel tab, gum rubber sole, black laces. Both shoes visible: one raised in profile, one on surface in three-quarter view.
Upper material and textureBlack braided or woven textured leather upper visible on toe box and side panels, appearing matte with raised weave pattern.
2 regions
x 0.04 · y 0.06 · w 0.40 · h 0.20 (high); x 0.05 · y 0.72 · w 0.30 · h 0.18 (high)
Side stripesThree parallel off-white stripes on the shoe lateral side, positioned above the sole and extending from midfoot toward the heel.
2 regions
x 0.14 · y 0.10 · w 0.20 · h 0.12 (high); x 0.10 · y 0.75 · w 0.18 · h 0.10 (high)
Sole constructionGum-colored rubber sole with visible sidewall running around the shoe base, slightly textured on the sidewall.
2 regions
x 0.02 · y 0.06 · w 0.44 · h 0.12 (high); x 0.03 · y 0.80 · w 0.38 · h 0.08 (high)
Heel tab and collarOff-white heel tab and collar area contrasting with black upper, visible on both shoes at the rear collar.
2 regions
x 0.30 · y 0.09 · w 0.11 · h 0.10 (high); x 0.18 · y 0.76 · w 0.10 · h 0.10 (high)
Lacing and tongueBlack flat laces tied on top of black tongue; a small triangular gold accent visible near the top lace area on the raised shoe.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.08 · w 0.18 · h 0.12 (high)
Other
Lifestyle studio shot showing model legs crossed against a blue fabric backdrop and floor; model wears striped socks and dark washed wide-leg jeans. Even soft lighting with subtle shadows and minimal reflections.
Shot compositionPortrait-oriented studio composition focusing on model legs from mid-thigh down, one leg raised horizontally and the other bent with foot on the ground.
1 region
x 0.18 · y 0.18 · w 0.68 · h 0.74 (high)
Background and surfaceSeamless blue fabric backdrop and floor covering with visible subtle wrinkles and folds.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high)
Socks visibleOff-white crew socks with evenly spaced horizontal teal stripes and a ruffled cuff at the ankle worn with both shoes.
2 regions
x 0.30 · y 0.36 · w 0.12 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.22 · y 0.74 · w 0.12 · h 0.18 (high)
Jeans stylingDark washed black or charcoal wide-leg jeans with visible seam stitching and raw hem detail, covering part of the lower leg and ankle.
1 region
x 0.38 · y 0.28 · w 0.52 · h 0.62 (high)
Lighting and shadowSoft directional lighting from upper left producing gentle shadows beneath the raised leg and slight shading on fabric backdrop.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (medium)
Colors
matte black· upper (braided area)#121413off-white· side stripesgum brown· solecream white· heel tab and collarblack· lace and tongue accents#0C0E0Coff-white with teal stripes· socks
02: Product
Pair of low-top sneakers shown from a rear/angled detail view: braided black upper, off-white heel tab and three side stripes, and a gum rubber outsole with textured tread and circular pivot pattern.
Braided upper textureUpper material is formed from a tightly braided or woven black leather or leather-like strips creating a dimensional textured surface across the heel and side panels.
2 regions
x 0.05 · y 0.42 · w 0.65 · h 0.45 (high); x 0.55 · y 0.48 · w 0.38 · h 0.35 (high)
Three side stripesThree parallel off-white leather stripes are stitched to the outer side of the shoe, contrasting with the black braided upper.
1 region
x 0.52 · y 0.42 · w 0.28 · h 0.28 (high)
Padded heel tabOff-white padded heel tab with horizontal stitch lines wraps the rear collar area and contrasts with the black back panel.
1 region
x 0.56 · y 0.52 · w 0.22 · h 0.20 (high)
Vertical heel stripNarrow vertical black strip runs down the center of the heel over the braided texture connecting collar to midsole.
1 region
x 0.47 · y 0.52 · w 0.06 · h 0.36 (high)
Gum rubber outsole profileGum-colored rubber outsole with raised textured sidewall, triangular tread at the rim and distinct circular pivot pattern on the forefoot of the sole.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.18 · w 0.62 · h 0.46 (high); x 0.18 · y 0.56 · w 0.60 · h 0.36 (high)
Sole branding“Embossed text 'adidas' appears on the flat central area of the gum sole.”
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.55 · w 0.12 · h 0.08 (medium)
Tongue and lacing areaPartial view of the black tongue and lacing area is visible at the right edge, showing smooth black material and eyelets.
1 region
x 0.78 · y 0.36 · w 0.18 · h 0.28 (medium)
Other
Studio product shot with a light gray seamless background, soft shadow beneath the shoes, and even diffuse lighting highlighting texture and sole details.
Shot compositionTwo sneakers arranged with one shoe on its side showing the sole and the other shoe showing the rear/side; framing is tight on the lower two-thirds of the image.
Background and lightingNeutral light gray seamless background with soft, even studio lighting and subtle cast shadows beneath the shoes.
Image qualityHigh-resolution, sharply focused on shoe textures and sole; no visible noise or compression artifacts.
Colors
matte black· braided upper#0E0D0Boff-white· side stripes and heel tabgum brown· outsole#9C7A5C
03: Product
Top-down view of a pair of low-profile black leather sneakers with woven braided panels, cream three-stripe overlays and cream heel collars; black laces threaded and a separate coiled pair of cream laces placed above the shoes. Gold foil trefoil logos visible on tongue and insoles.
Overall layoutPair of shoes shown from above, placed side by side with toes at the top of the shoes and heels at the bottom; extra coiled laces positioned above the toes, centered between the shoes.
1 region
x 0.06 · y 0.08 · w 0.88 · h 0.84 (high)
Upper material and textureBlack upper composed of two distinct textures: smooth leather panels (tongue, toe cap edges, and perimeter of lacing area) and braided woven leather inserts running along the vamp and outer side panels.
2 regions
x 0.06 · y 0.22 · w 0.42 · h 0.56 (high); x 0.52 · y 0.22 · w 0.42 · h 0.56 (high)
LacingBlack flat laces are threaded through eyelets on both shoes in a standard crisscross pattern; lace ends are tucked in near the tongue; an extra coiled pair of cream laces is shown above the shoes.
2 regions
x 0.26 · y 0.28 · w 0.48 · h 0.34 (high); x 0.34 · y 0.02 · w 0.32 · h 0.14 (high)
Three-stripe overlaysCream/off-white three-stripe leather overlays on the lateral and medial sides of each shoe, running from midfoot toward the sole and interrupting the braided panels.
2 regions
x 0.12 · y 0.34 · w 0.28 · h 0.36 (high); x 0.60 · y 0.34 · w 0.28 · h 0.36 (high)
Heel collarPadded heel collars finished in cream/off-white leather visible at the bottom of the image inside each shoe opening.
2 regions
x 0.10 · y 0.70 · w 0.36 · h 0.20 (high); x 0.54 · y 0.70 · w 0.36 · h 0.20 (high)
Midsole edgeNarrow tan/gum-colored midsole edge runs around the perimeter of each shoe, forming a visible border between upper and outsole.
2 regions
x 0.04 · y 0.18 · w 0.44 · h 0.68 (medium); x 0.52 · y 0.18 · w 0.44 · h 0.68 (medium)
Tongue labelRectangular black tongue label with gold foil trefoil logo and small gold text near the top of each tongue.
2 regions
x 0.28 · y 0.44 · w 0.16 · h 0.12 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.44 · w 0.16 · h 0.12 (high)
Insole text and logo“Gold foil adidas wordmark and trefoil logo printed on the black insoles, legible inside both shoe openings.”
2 regions
x 0.20 · y 0.72 · w 0.24 · h 0.18 (high); x 0.56 · y 0.72 · w 0.24 · h 0.18 (high)
Other
Studio-style top-down product shot on a uniform light gray background with soft even lighting and minimal shadows; image cropped close to shoes with extra laces visible near the top center.
Background and lightingFlat light gray background with soft diffuse lighting that produces mild soft shadows beneath the shoes and the coiled laces.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high)
Shot compositionTop-down composition centered on the pair of shoes with symmetrical placement; extra laces placed above the shoes near the top edge of the frame.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (high)
Image qualityHigh-resolution, sharply focused on shoe details including braided texture, stitched seams, and foil printed logos.
Colors
black· upper leather#0D0E0Ccream· three-stripe overlays and heel collar#C4C4C4gum tan· midsole edge#B3B3B3metallic gold· logos and insole text#CBC2AC

Documents & Data

Customer Reviews

2 total

2 reviews · out of 5

Jolie chaussures

★★★★★sally-marla p.June 14, 2026

Ce sont des chaussures de tous les jours et qui confortable.

Cute shoes - too narrow fit my feet

★★★★★Cheryl L.June 5, 2026

Very stylish.

Q&A

5 answered

Does this sneaker run true to size for most people, or should I size up/down?: With only 2 reviews available and no specific fit notes in the product data, we generally find that the Adidas Samba OG style runs true to size for most, though some customers with wider feet prefer going up half a size. We recommend trying your usual size first, as the removable footbed allows for some adjustment if needed.
What is the best way to clean the braided leather upper without damaging the delicate weave?: We recommend gently cleaning the braided leather upper with a soft, dry brush to remove dirt, then using a damp cloth with a mild leather cleaner for spot cleaning—avoid soaking the weave. Do not machine wash or submerge the sneakers, as the delicate openwork construction can be damaged by excess water.
Is the faux leather component in the upper made from a specific material like polyurethane, and what percentage of the upper is genuine vs faux leather?: The product lists the upper as a blend of genuine and faux leather but does not specify the exact material type for the faux component or the percentage split. In the footwear industry, faux leather is commonly polyurethane (PU), and we expect that is the case here, but the precise ratio is not published.
How well does the non-skid rubber sole grip on wet or slippery surfaces?: The embossed non-skid rubber sole is designed for good traction, and the tread pattern provides reasonable grip on wet surfaces for everyday wear. However, for heavy rain or very slick conditions, we recommend caution as it is not a specialized wet-weather sole.
How does the braided leather construction hold up over time—does the weave loosen or show signs of wear?: The braided leather construction is reinforced with a T-toe design for better support and abrasion resistance, which helps the weave hold its shape over time. While we expect the braiding to remain intact with normal wear, as with any woven material, avoid rough surfaces that could snag or loosen the threads.

Provenance

Merchant Link: https://www.simons.ca/en/women-footwear/all-our-shoes/braided-leather-samba-og-sneakers-women--2911-269282?colourId=0
Updated: July 31, 2026