Long before being a city sneaker, the Spezial from adidas was born for indoor handball in the late seventies: it embodies the spirit of the adidas lifestyle page, where the sportswear of the three-stripe brand moves from the pitch to the street.
Sneakers, sweatshirts, joggers, t-shirts, sliders, and socks, from baby sizes to adult sizes.
The sneakers take up the largest space. The Spezial brings back the low silhouette of the original handball shoe, with several versions including a special edition dedicated to Lionel Messi. The Adipista, available in white or black, features a simpler style. The Technochaos comes in a wide range, from pure white to royal blue to metallic grey. The Breaknet, Barreda, and Streettalk round off the choices for everyday wear.
The Essentials sweatshirt is the brand's core piece: with three stripes or in fleece, in black, green, grey, or dark blue. It pairs well with joggers from the same line for a complete look. Women can also find the Essentials Linear zip-up hoodie and Stadium joggers, and the brand offers complete tracksuits for all ages.
The page doesn’t stop at sneakers and sweats. The Adilette slides, easy to slip on, are perfect for after the shower or at the beach. The Tensaur is designed for kids' feet, with slip-on models. The socks, often sold in packs, and the t-shirts in the colours of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team, with which the brand partners, complete the page.
adidas has a long history with handball. The Spezial was born on the courts, and the brand now outfits the French handball team. This connection explains why the Spezial remains so popular among players, who wear it off the court. To play, however, you need a current indoor shoe, which offers more grip and cushioning.
For comparison, the page Hummel lifestyle goes for chevrons and retro Scandinavian sneakers. The page Erima lifestyle focuses on hoodies and bags. The page Le Coq Sportif lifestyle adds sneakers and graphic t-shirts, and the page Nike lifestyle features a small selection.
adidas often updates its colourways, and the older ones go on discount. Check the special offers lifestyle, then the sales lifestyle during each period. The page brand clearance gathers the end-of-line products.
It all depends on the shape of your foot. Measure it at the end of the day and compare the length to the size guide on the product page. If you have a wide foot, try the half size up.
Brush them dry with a special suede brush to remove dust. A suede eraser can remove small stains. Avoid water and washing machines, as they can mark and stiffen the suede.
No, the casual Spezial does not have the grip or support of a current handball shoe. On a court, it wears out quickly and exposes you to sprains. Save it for after the match.
Many wear them that way in the changing room and at home; it has even become a style. For the beach or pool, go barefoot; they dry quickly. Choose your usual size; they should fit comfortably.
The Essentials sweatshirt has a classic cut, neither fitted nor oversized. Take your usual size for a standard fit, or go up a size for a more relaxed look. The size guide on the product page specifies the measurements.