It’s been great to see the Adidas Handball Spezial make a comeback after the last few years. The classic handball sneaker, originally released in 1979, to be worn while playing handball quickly picked up a fanbase that used the sneakers as a casual lifestyle silhouette. Recently, we have seen the resurgence of a number of Adidas Originals, such as the Gazelles and the Campuses . But now those in the know are all in favor of a different classic. The Adidas Handball Spezial, with its pastel colors and iconic gum sole. So, if you are considering adding the Spezial to your sneaker collection, here is everything you need to know regarding its sizing before you buy.

How the sneaker fits

Regarding any sneaker’s sizing, it is worth briefly noting that everyone’s feet are different. One person’s experience with a sneaker may not be a universal experience. That said, sneakers can be an expensive investment. So, we would like to offer some general guidance regarding how the Adidas Spezial fits. This is for you to consider when thinking of purchasing yourself a pair.

Adidas has listed the Spezial as true to size, and the general consensus is that this is most people’s experience. Doing so will ensure a snug fit and prevent any ankle slippage. A phenomenon more prone to occurring on a low cut like the Spezial. The nubuck upper may be tight at first but, after a couple wears, will loosen up and mold to the shape of your foot. Going true to size will maximize comfort. Both preventing a loose fit and allowing the soft synthetic lining to act as a pillow for your feet. Additionally, we recommend not lacing the sneakers up to the top eyelet. Leaving the top eyelet free will allow the tongue to pop up comfortably, rather than dig into your feet.

The sneaker’s width

The sneaker boasts a relatively narrow physique, something more common among the performance-minded favorites of its time. This is part of its appeal in juxtaposition to the bulky sneakers popularized at the start of the decade. But, if you have particularly wide feet, it may be worth going up half a size to a full size. Using past experience with narrower shoes can be a helpful guide. That said, for most people, the width shouldn’t be an issue. Especially since the laces extend pretty far down the length of the sneaker. In doing so, allowing for plenty of adjustment to the sneaker’s tightness around the midfoot. A top-down view will reveal a very similar shape to many other Adidas Originals. So, if you have experience with the width of sneakers like the Adidas Samba or the Gazelle, the same advice likely applies for this model too.

Shop for the Adidas Spezial here at WOOVIN, available from verified sellers in a variety of colorways.