Adidas Samba Golf Shoes: A Style that's Suddenly Uncool?

The Adidas Samba is not just any ordinary sneaker. For many years, it has been a popular choice among athletes and casual wearers alike. However, its reputation took a sudden turn for the worse after UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak was spotted wearing a pair of Sambas on a golfing trip.

At first glance, the effect may seem harmless – a politician sporting a common shoe brand. But the reality is that Adidas Samba golf shoes have been left reeling from the backlash. The once-beloved sneaker has suddenly become synonymous with uncoolness and, worse still, Tory politics.

The story began when Sunak was photographed wearing his pristine and box-fresh Sambas on the golf course. The reaction was swift and brutal, with many taking to social media to express their disgust at the sight of the politician sporting the shoes. Journalists and commentators alike weighed in, with some speculating that the shoes were a gift from Nike as a sly spot of corporate sabotage.

The criticism wasn't limited to online trolls, either. Even respected publications like GQ magazine ran an op-ed piece titled 'Can Rishi Sunak leave the Adidas Samba alone, please?' The Daily Mail also got in on the act, running an article headlined 'Rishi Sunak roasted after wearing Adidas Sambas to 'try and appear normal'.'

But why did the Adidas Samba golf shoes become so suddenly unpopular? It's likely due to a combination of factors. For one, nothing kills off a sartorial item's perceived cool like a widely reviled politician being snapped sporting it. Additionally, the Sambas were already struggling to stay relevant in the competitive world of sportswear.

In London, you're never more than six feet away from a pair of Sambas, according to the Evening Standard. However, their popularity has been waning in recent years, with sales so low that Adidas was forced to discontinue them in 2025.

The Adidas Samba golf shoes have become a symbol of uncoolness and midlife crisis fintech mogul style. They join a list of other fashion faux pas, including cashmere hoodies, Canada Goose parkas, Timberland boots, and shrunken suits. The chosen trainers of the lame duck leader of a dying government.

In conclusion, the Adidas Samba golf shoes have taken a hit in popularity following Rishi Sunak's ill-fated decision to wear them on a golfing trip. While they may once have been a popular choice among athletes and casual wearers alike, their reputation has been left in tatters by the backlash. Whether or not Adidas will be able to recover from this blow remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the Sambas are no longer the cool, stylish choice that they once were.

Adidas samba golf shoes