New trainers - Sambas, Gazelles, Spezials?

[peachweach]

I'm looking for a new pair of trainers and am leaning towards Sambas, but I realise they're everywhere atm and possibly will be on the decline fashion wise soon?

I also heard that they're quite narrow and Gazelles/Spezials are a bit wider? I do love all the different colourways and tempted for something bright, but am on the fence as a more classic colour will go with more?!

Any recommendations for anything similar welcome! Mainly to wear with wide legged trousers/jeans/dungarees. Thanks!

Teen DC says: go with the Sambas if you like them. They're waterproof so good for everyday whereas the Speziales aren't. Go up a size if you want a wider fit. Look on Vinted for better deals on bright colours. Speziales also get approval though.

Puma do some nice vintage style ones. Palermo
https://uk.puma.com/uk/en/pd/palermo-moda-vintage-sneakers-women/398824?swatch=04

Classic Adidas never go 'out'. They always look good. Their Grand Court style might be an option if you want something wider.

I think gazelles are quite narrow. I’ve recently bought the adidas campus. They do lots of colours like gazelles Ive got the bright pink ones, they have a bit more of a platform sole, but not as platform as adidas bold. I find them comfier than gazelles because of the sole.

Airmax are the cool ones if you like them.

My Spezials took a while to break in. They have a high arch which took some getting used to.

My gazelles are comfier, and don't feel as narrow despite being half a size smaller.

I'm not a fan of Sambas.

Genuinely, do you think your teen DC is the barometer of fashion? It always strikes me as a bit surprising when people quote or refer to what their kids are wearing. I don’t necessarily want to seek teens’ approval or wear what they like. I want to know what’s stylish and fashionable but teens don’t have a monopoly on that.

Another vote for Puma Palermo. I have three pairs and wear them everywhere.

My Spezials are so uncomfortable! I can’t seem to break them in.

Never had an issue with Gazelles. So I’m sticking with them!

Haven’t tried Sambas, because of Rishi.

These just look all the same to me! Flat trainer, 3 stripes. Whatever you choose, get a wild colour to stand out!

Nike Cortez are a classic.

I find Nike generally too narrow (hobbit feet).

I do pay attention to my teen because she's actually got quite a good sense of style. She's generally the most 'put together' of her mates, good with colour and shape, will push me to try different things etc. I pay no attention to her sister who inherited my styling ability.

Puma Palermo have some gorgeous colour ways. I love an adidas of any sort really. I would buy them all tbh. Bright trainers make me happy.

I've got 2 pairs of Spezials and love them. Bought the black leather ones last week. They didn't need any breaking in, I have really wide feet too. Lots of compliments from my teenage students

I’ve got Gazelles and Sambas. My Gazelles are the most comfortable, the Sambas rubbed my heels for a while but I’m still asking for another pair for my birthday!

I have some Spezials which are really uncomfortable - they're very narrow on the toes and I rarely wear them. I've been meaning to try some in a size up, but suspect they'll then be too big on the heel.

I've got gazelles and sambas in the same size....the gazelles look and feel better to me

I got some of the Gazelle Bold recently and they've been fine on my wide feet. Had to relace them a little tighter than I anticipated too.

I love sambas and have three pairs but they are ubiquitous now and on the wane since Rishi wore them. The next big thing are suede Nike Cortez, or metallic trainers apparently (I just read it in The Stylist ).
I'm a bit marmite on the shape of Nike Cortez but I might have a look and see what the new colours look like.

I have wide feet and Sambas. I am constantly surprised at how little spring they have. I think I have "trainers" in my mind and so expect a bit of give in the sole but they have none

Half a size up in spezials and they'll be like slippers. I could walk to the moon in mine.

Gazelles are narrower and harder material. Sambas have an uncomfy tongue.

Her teen just said if she likes them, and added a little bit of advice; that's all.

I prefer Nike to Adidas in general for comfort. I’ve been eyeing up Nike Killshot for the same sort of vibe as Sambas but less ubiquitous.

Just googled Puma Palermo, very nice!

Quite. I'm getting tired of people being rude under the guise of being anti-ageist or whatever.

I’ve got a couple of pairs of spezials which I’ve found comfy from first wear. I tried a pair of sambas on but they weren’t so comfy. I also thought the spezials looked better with wide legged jeans. They’re a bit wider so kind of balance the wide jeans a bit.

Question is what do you want from them? If it’s just for casual shoes, Adidas are all a bit ubiquitously contemporary, and IMO a bit eurotrash-y. I’ve stuck with Keds and Vans for twenty-odd years because they’re discrete and timeless.