Wherever I am, be it in the centre of London, at the airport, or in the Cotswolds at one of the best air BnBs in the UK, I see a pair of Adidas Sambas … or five. If it’s not the Samba, it’s the Adidas Gazelle (which I may or may not have bought for my child the minute her feet were big enough). Gender neutral, multi-generational and designed in a rainbow of colours, I can see why this classic and inoffensive style has become one of the most popular sneaker designs of 2024. Today’s version of the Samba is not the first, though. It dates all the way back to 1950 when the German football team wore it to play on icy terrain (OK, this Adidas Originals hero definitely has a place on route to some of the best ski resorts in Europe, then).
It’s evolved in terms of style and functionality and more exclusive versions like the Samba Spezial which our digital director packed for her first medi-spa retreat, have been added into the mix. But, praise aside, there’s something that feels good about finding the best trainers to travel in when they aren’t already on the feet of a third of the people on your flight. Trainers are, after all, one of the foundations of what to wear on a plane.
The Aloha 490s are my new go-to, and the only style I’ll be packing for the foreseeable. Not only are they supremely comfortable – the leather and suede softens with each wear – but they also nod to a retro aesthetic, which feels classic. If versatility is a priority, the neutrals (and this includes animal-print this season, don’t you know?) are the obvious choice, but the spectrum of colourful alternatives, from popping pink to forest green, will add a little life to even the most basic travel attire.
Choosing my favourite might have been hard, but I’m grateful to avoid the real conundrum: whether to stay true to my Millenial roots or try and join Gen Z by pulling my socks up over my ankles. No bother, I’ll be wearing oh-so-stylish compression socks during take off and landing, anyway.
Aloha 490s
Adidas
