Help me decide on burgundy trainers

[KeepOnCleaning]

I have decided (possibly irrationally) that I need burgundy trainers to pull my wardrobe together. Please don’t ask me why – in my head they will magically make jeans and a skirt-with-black-tights look less ‘thrown on’.

I need something comfortable enough for lots of city walking, but are still ‘fashion’ rather than sports trainer. I’ve historically been an Adidas person (yes, I know, I’m basic), but I’m open to being told I need to branch out.

Current shortlist:
Adidas Samba OG:
https://www.asos.com/adidas-originals/adidas-originals-samba-og-trainers-in-burgundy-and-off-white/prd/205467079 - classic, but are they now so everywhere that I’ll look like I’ve been influenced by my teenage daughters?
Adidas Handball Spezial: https://www.office.co.uk/view/product/office_catalog/2,20/2156963705 - are these actually more comfortable than Sambas, or just a slightly different flavour of the same thing?
Gabor Nulon trainers:
https://www.gaborshoes.co.uk/womens-c1/trainers-c5/gabor-nulon-womens-trainers-p55175/s802005 – these are right at the very top of my budget, so I’d only stretch if they’re significantly more comfortable for walking. But do they look chic or have I wandered into “sensible shoe” territory?

All comments on style vs real-life comfort (all-day city walking, not just pottering to the car), I’d be very grateful.

And if the answer is “none of the above, here is the actual trainer you need”, I’m open to that too.

Be kind — I am clearly overthinking shoes 😅

There is no chance that the gabor ones will pull your wardrobe together in the way you're hoping. The other options are good.

I have burgundy sambas and they are a truly beautiful thing

Agree that the Spezials are more comfy than Sambas. I wear my Spezials (also in that exact colour) quite a bit and they go with loads of stuff. Current favourite is wearing them with chocolate brown wide leg jeans.

I've been down the burgundy trainer rabbit hole. Bought a pair from Office which looked lovely but sooo uncomfortable. Bought another pair from Black Tulip, which were a thing of beauty and expensive but also uncomfortable. Finally found my pair in Clarks (my dear mum always bought my shoes from Clarks 😂).
If you have larger feet, the men's version are in the sale

https://www.clarks.com/en-gb/seco-speed/26187406-p

I appear to have joined the burgundy trainer rabbit hole club and have lost a mildly embarrassing amount of time to TikTok styling videos.

Every time the burgundy Sambas appear I think “yes, those are gorgeous”. Then I come back here, read comments, and start doubting myself again.

I fully appreciate that Sambas and Spezials are basically very similar, so I am clearly overthinking this. But… is there actually a noticeable comfort difference? If I’m going to be doing proper city walking, does one win?

My other hesitation is whether burgundy is sensible as we head into spring, or whether I’m mentally still in October.

For context (because history suggests I may not be the most rational trainer buyer): about a year ago I bought both pink-with-green-stripe Spezials and white-with-green-stripe Sambas XLG at the same time. In the end I kept the white Sambas and my daughter claimed the pink Spezials because that’s what we each found more comfortable, and I was too ancient for bright pink trainers slightly worried they were a bit much for 50 year old me.

Just buy a pair on Vinted on the cheap and if you don’t like them, re-sell or pass them to someone else.
I also obsess about clothes… Once I get it, It’s worn a lot initially then on to the next thing. When I was working, it was fine. Now I’ve retired. I have a ton of stuff I doubt I’ll ever wear again. Presently trying to give/sell off/repurpose/alter things as I’ve dropped some weight since and generally get rid of most of it. Funny thing is, I live in denim shorts and tops all summer and mainly jeans and sportswear in the colder weather… so

I think burgundy is absolutely fine for spring and even summer. You mentioned skirts, by late spring you’ll probably have a little bit of a tan on your ankles at least (wishful thinking?? 🌞) which will look great in either cropped jeans or skirts along with the burgundy. Same in summer, I think it has a vintagey feel in bright weather.

Thanks for the validation on the seasonal question. My insecurities needed that

I love the spezials in that colour!!! May have to treat myself!!!

A word to the wise on Sambas - they have very little grip on wet surfaces. I've had a few near misses on smooth paving. It's never happened in another shoe.

I don’t mean to be negative but last time I was in the physio, someone else was there to have physio on issues caused by that type of shoe.

I'm 55 & the Gabor ones look like what my 86yr MIL would think were lovely. I have slipped over in the Samba's too. I know have 2 pairs of these. In blue & burgundy, good grip & wore them both when we were away for 3 weeks walking miles with not so much as a rub or foot issues
amzn.eu/d/0bdKIEch

I don't know about others but my Speziales (blue and lemon suede) have a memory foam insoles that my Gazelles and Sambas do not have

I've had a look and Reebok Classics don't do burgundy at the moment, they are the ultimate comfy trainer

Now the question is...do I need burgundy trainers ? I have cetuse pink several red and Adidas purple Gazelles, surely there is room in my trainer cupboard

I have those Spezials and love them. They look great with so many different outfits.

Personally I don’t like those Sambas because of the two-toned materials. The colours clash imo and if the suede fades at all it will look even worse, especially with how purplish the leather is. Plus the contrast of the leather and suede makes them look far more sporty/casual, whereas the solid suede ones can be used to bring the casual element to a business casual outfit. Which is a long-winded way of saying that the solid suede is more versatile when it comes to styling.

Same here. I wear mine every day for work and love them.

https://amzn.eu/d/0c65KORT

Hope this link works but these are the trainers I was telling you about.

Have you looked at the Adidas Japan Decon in burgundy? Very nice. Agree they are a bit slippy though.

I have the Adidas VL Court Bolds in burgundy. They have really tied my denim / olive / brown leaning wardrobe items together. Anything but the Gabors OP 😉

On Running (even if you're not a runner) are far and away the most comfortable trainers ever! I have 3 pairs - navy, pale blue and orange. Think I'll be adding burgundy!

www.fwrd.com/mobile/product-on-cloud-6-in-mulberry-pebble/ONF-MZ638/?d=Mens&currency=GBP&tCountryCode=GB&deeplink=true&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=UK_EN_PLA_ALL_MAX_Category&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23459345679&gbraid=0AAAAADNRFwhTBLbRNomiulp7vYm4PvXa6&gclid=CjwKCAiAwNDMBhBfEiwAd7ti1Kvy2i1acDqkZUJ5U6jWdly2YlLKlMXdNtwQUCO3UJg6Rkb1BaxNARoCQDYQAvD_BwE

I'm an Adidas woman too OP. Usually Superstars because they just seem to fit my feet really well and I find them incredibly comfortable. I can walk all day and for miles in them. But I have several pairs of Sambas and Country OG's too - I find Sambas the least comfortable. But they are still great for all day wearing.

These burgundy ones are bloody gorgeous - I don't have a burgundy pair (yet) so I'm sitting on my hands.

I can't wait for spring so I can get out my trainers - I mostly wear dresses and I refuse to wear tights with trainers. I have a silver pair of Adidas Country OG's that I only got to wear once before winter descended and I am really looking forward to getting those beautiful babies back on my feet.

I love these (this brand do gorgeous trainers) but they are very spendy so I love them from afar.

https://www.toa.st/products/flower-mountain-yamano-kaiso-trainers-beetroot-1

I found the Samba uncomfortable (narrow and flat) when I tried them on so I chose Gazelles. I’m probably a mum cliche but I don’t care and I might even get myself another pair (if I can let go of my attachment to Doc Martens in time for spring).

Please don’t get the others you linked to. You’re far too young!

As much as I like the first pair, they don’t look like they have much toe room!
i don’t like the other 2 pairs

I agree the Spezial's are the nicest.

I have burgundy Adidas/Liberty trainers and they are super comfortable and the pattern seems to go with everything. Not sure what the style is called but they are burgundy with navy laces and a pattern on the sides.

https://www.asos.com/allsaints/allsaints-vix-suede-trainers-in-brown/prd/209273036?affid=30316&_CjwKCAiAwNDMBhBfEiwAd7ti1Ku8YqIFnTHYpp3IUnBHMp8hIpVxQcCYPgU8g28LxtHkBR-ZRxIwrhoCVVYQAvD_BwE&channelref=product+search&ppcadref=23436695907||&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=23436695907&utm_content=&utm_term=&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23446221346&gclid=CjwKCAiAwNDMBhBfEiwAd7ti1Ku8YqIFnTHYpp3IUnBHMp8hIpVxQcCYPgU8g28LxtHkBR-ZRxIwrhoCVVYQAvD_BwE

Ive got these and they are super comfortable but might be too much cream for you. The colours are easy to pick out and they go with loads of my wardrobe.