Is the Samba K (kangaroo leather) much more comfy?

[josepidal]

Quick question. I saw an online sale for Samba Ks (the ones in kangaroo leather) for $60, and this is my favorite sneaker. However, I have regular black Sambas whose soles aren't anywhere close to worn and I have a feeling these shoes aren't going to die anytime soon.

For those who have them, is the Samba K and its kangaroo leather that much more comfortable? They look identical, but I was thinking of buying Samba Ks then just abusing the old pair when necessary.

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by josepidal

Quick question. I saw an online sale for Samba Ks (the ones in kangaroo leather) for $60, and this is my favorite sneaker. However, I have regular black Sambas whose soles aren't anywhere close to worn and I have a feeling these shoes aren't going to die anytime soon.

For those who have them, is the Samba K and its kangaroo leather that much more comfortable? They look identical, but I was thinking of buying Samba Ks then just abusing the old pair when necessary.

i think comfort-wise, they're the same. IIRC, the K leather is really if you're actually competing with them on and size down a half size, as I did for both outdoor soccer. i wore regular samba's in my regular for indoor soccer, and the K-leather copa mundial for outdoor soccer/football. i never really took indoor seriously - it was just out of season conditioning for my club team back in the late 80's/early 90's.

 

[migo]

Originally Posted by NoVaguy

i think comfort-wise, they're the same. IIRC, the K leather is really if you're actually competing with them on and size down a half size, as I did for both outdoor soccer. i wore regular samba's in my regular for indoor soccer, and the K-leather copa mundial for outdoor soccer/football. i never really took indoor seriously - it was just out of season conditioning for my club team back in the late 80's/early 90's.

+1

but indoor is just so much fun! I find it requires more dribble skill too, in general.

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by migo

+1

but indoor is just so much fun! I find it requires more dribble skill too, in general.

yeah. which wasn't good for me. i was a below average dribbler (ok, really subpar. i had one or two moves, and if they didn't work, i was screwed). but i was an above average passer, especially on set piece and crosses where you can anticipate the cut and play for the open space. the real thing was better suited for my skills. plus, everytime i played, my team and i were violent, penalty-prone city punks who had the irresistible urge to smack our suburban pansy opponents into the boards and get sent into the penalty box.....

 

[migo]

Originally Posted by NoVaguy

yeah. which wasn't good for me. i was a below average dribbler (ok, really subpar. i had one or two moves, and if they didn't work, i was screwed). but i was an above average passer, especially on set piece and crosses where you can anticipate the cut and play for the open space. the real thing was better suited for my skills. plus, everytime i played, my team and i were violent, penalty-prone city punks who had the irresistible urge to smack our suburban pansy opponents into the boards and get sent into the penalty box.....
My indoor team was that way...we got banned from the indoor league at gw for next semester for being a little violent...almost called UPD on our goalie after they gave him a red

 

[atroopan]

Originally Posted by NoVaguy

... plus, everytime i played, my team and i were violent, penalty-prone city punks who had the irresistible urge to smack our suburban pansy opponents into the boards and get sent into the penalty box.....

Why did you stop playing hockey btw ?

troop

 

[RustyRyan]

The Samba K have a much nicer tongue(same as Copas and WCs) than the cheaper model.

 

[josepidal]

Originally Posted by NoVaguy

and size down a half size, as I did for both outdoor soccer
So if I'm a 10 in regular Sambas, I should find a 9.5 in Samba Ks? (Which doesn't seem to be available now, just 9 and 10.)

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by josepidal

So if I'm a 10 in regular Sambas, I should find a 9.5 in Samba Ks? (Which doesn't seem to be available now, just 9 and 10.)

no, what i was saying that i wore soccer shoes a half size down for competition - they were intentionally tight if they were for competition. regular size for regular life, half size down for playing soccer.

if you are walking around, you should just get the regular size. if you are playing soccer, go down a half size.

and i think K leather, which is durable, is only worth the extra expense if you're going to actually play or train with them. the soles will wear out way before the upper.

 

[Babar]

I have both, and would definitely get the K. Not only because they feel better, but also because they look much better. The normal Sambas have that stiff synthetic looking leather whereas the leather on the Ks has much more character and ages more gracefully. It's a shame they don't make K versions of more models.

 

[josepidal]

Okay, thanks. They stretch more than your usual Samba and you compensate for that, right?

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by josepidal

Okay, thanks. They stretch more than your usual Samba and you compensate for that, right?

i like a tighter shoe for better soccer ball control. and for a better striking surface. i would go down a half size even for a calf shoe.

 

[josepidal]

Okay I pulled the trigger. Let me see how these feel, heh. I think I bought my original Sambas a half size too big, actually.

 

[yerfdog]

lol @ Samba Ks being Banned In California

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19930508/

 

[kakemono]

To give another reason to sizing down for competition... it also it just like any shoe where if there is slip in the shoe, you develop some nasty blisters - which you don't get if your just lounging around in them walking around.

Sambas are a nice shoe. You'll enjoy em.