Handball Spezial and Gary Aspden's "SPZL" Spezial range are connected by name, but little else (well, apart from the Handball Spezial SPZLs, but lets not confuse things).
Handball Spezials are a nice enough, common, good looking shoe that Adidas is now rightfully milking at the moment, SPZL stuff is specially curated, limited run stuff, inspired by designs in the adidas archive from 70s/80s/90s. Sometimes very close reproductions, sometimes look alikes using newer materials, sometimes "inspired by" can be taking inspiration from multiple original items. SPZL stuff often comes with a story as Gary loves to talk about the design choices me makes.
SPZL stuff is dead popular with the "football casual" crowd and common sizes tend to all be going in an hour or two of release (admittedly more and more now turns up on ebay at inflated prices), where as Handball Spezials can easily be found on any high street.
Early SPZL stuff was really well made, these days you're more paying for the design and the detailing and there is an almost tribalistic feel to collecting SPZL stuff, another collector will spot, admire and probably mention SPZL gear, a mile off.
As others have mentioned the Blackburns (there have been three versions now, two green and the Red "Blackburn Ewoods", plus the nightsafe variants) aren't inspired by the Handball Spezials at all (I'm not sure what silhouettes they are based on, Gary's talked about the colours a few times, but not the inspiration for the shoe itself as far as I know) so there is no real connection, other than the very confusing name.
Being a Blackburn Rovers fan (and SPZL collector) I love all three pairs of Blackburns, but I have to admit I do own a couple of pairs of HandBall Spezials too (mainly gifts from family members who thing they found me SPZL gear at a knock down price). There is no comparison, the detailing on the Blackburns, from the embossed mod-trefoil on the tounge, to the mod-terfoil and Lancashire Rose on the back or heal tab (depending on the version) and the Red/Green colourway of Lancashire makes the .... erm .... Spe\[c|z\]ial!
On the name Spezial, I should have added, when Gary chose a fairly obscure discontinued German shoe, from an even more obscure sport, to name his line after, he probably didn't foresee both Adidas rereleasing them, AND them getting so damn popular.
On the subject of naming stuff. There is a reason most SPZL stuff is named after UK towns and villages (particularly ones around East Lancashire), yes, it's were Gary is from and he's immensely proud of the area, but it's mainly satisfy Adidas' legal time, who would knock back any name used anywhere near a trademark in the past. And you can't trademark a place name.
But being so familiar with the area, it amuses me to see names like Ewood, Padiham, Intack, Sett End, Ardwick, Hyndburn, Winter Hill, Harwood, Whalley and Hoddlesden all apear on trainers sold around the world
Depends on who you are asking - the average person would tell you they're basically the same, a sneakerhead would tell you there were a couple differences, mainly focusing on the colourway, but a serious adidas collector would give you a lecture on the intricacies and historical differences. For us, there are some leaps and bounds separating these, got to put some respect on the Blackburn Spezials!
Bruh, blackburns and spezial are two completely different shoes, they only share some colors. Spezial is a lot wider. I hate when people say something like "arent adidas Hamburg just sambas with different sole?"
And not everyone has to know they are this much different lol. If I knew I wouldn’t ask. It’s not like it is easy to compare two similarly looking shoes with similar name without checking them out in person
Blackburns much more sought after and limited release and part of a Spezial release, 2024 decade pack. The others general release. Better silhouette for me also on the Blackburns but that’s only my opinion. The Handball I image will be comfier tho.
Other than colour, there are a few differences between the two. One is more stylish, more comfortable and much more hard wearing. Out of most of the adidas range you will be hard pushed to find a hardier shoe.
The only reason you'd purchase the Blackburn over the Spezials is for a 'collection'
The round toe on the Blackburn is the only reason I wouldn’t get them. I’m definitely a fan of the Handball Spezial’s and the way they fit/feel/look.
EDIT: I see you meant colour wise. Green on both seems about the same, but the navy outsole and tongue on the Blackburn with the brighter red stripes make it stand out a little more. Still, I like the dark brown outsole and maroon stripes on the Handball Spezials. Seems a little more subtle of the two.
Oh I have this question about so many of the Adidas styles....Jumping on here to ask if anyone is able to break down the differences between Sambas/Gazelle/Espezial/Busenitz Pro? I am currently wearing the VL Court 3.0 and love them and would like to get a diff pair of adidas in a fun color.....tysm
I got a pair. For the inch to toe measurement given I found them exceptionally narrow. Build quality was slightly better than average based on the better material but I never got them on my feet to tell you otherwise.
Handball Spezial and Gary Aspden's "SPZL" Spezial range are connected by name, but little else (well, apart from the Handball Spezial SPZLs, but lets not confuse things). Handball Spezials are a nice enough, common, good looking shoe that Adidas is now rightfully milking at the moment, SPZL stuff is specially curated, limited run stuff, inspired by designs in the adidas archive from 70s/80s/90s. Sometimes very close reproductions, sometimes look alikes using newer materials, sometimes "inspired by" can be taking inspiration from multiple original items. SPZL stuff often comes with a story as Gary loves to talk about the design choices me makes. SPZL stuff is dead popular with the "football casual" crowd and common sizes tend to all be going in an hour or two of release (admittedly more and more now turns up on ebay at inflated prices), where as Handball Spezials can easily be found on any high street. Early SPZL stuff was really well made, these days you're more paying for the design and the detailing and there is an almost tribalistic feel to collecting SPZL stuff, another collector will spot, admire and probably mention SPZL gear, a mile off. As others have mentioned the Blackburns (there have been three versions now, two green and the Red "Blackburn Ewoods", plus the nightsafe variants) aren't inspired by the Handball Spezials at all (I'm not sure what silhouettes they are based on, Gary's talked about the colours a few times, but not the inspiration for the shoe itself as far as I know) so there is no real connection, other than the very confusing name. Being a Blackburn Rovers fan (and SPZL collector) I love all three pairs of Blackburns, but I have to admit I do own a couple of pairs of HandBall Spezials too (mainly gifts from family members who thing they found me SPZL gear at a knock down price). There is no comparison, the detailing on the Blackburns, from the embossed mod-trefoil on the tounge, to the mod-terfoil and Lancashire Rose on the back or heal tab (depending on the version) and the Red/Green colourway of Lancashire makes the .... erm .... Spe\[c|z\]ial!
On the name Spezial, I should have added, when Gary chose a fairly obscure discontinued German shoe, from an even more obscure sport, to name his line after, he probably didn't foresee both Adidas rereleasing them, AND them getting so damn popular. On the subject of naming stuff. There is a reason most SPZL stuff is named after UK towns and villages (particularly ones around East Lancashire), yes, it's were Gary is from and he's immensely proud of the area, but it's mainly satisfy Adidas' legal time, who would knock back any name used anywhere near a trademark in the past. And you can't trademark a place name. But being so familiar with the area, it amuses me to see names like Ewood, Padiham, Intack, Sett End, Ardwick, Hyndburn, Winter Hill, Harwood, Whalley and Hoddlesden all apear on trainers sold around the world
Crackin' stuff there mate, cheers n that!
Love these insights, thanks mate 🙏
Depends on who you are asking - the average person would tell you they're basically the same, a sneakerhead would tell you there were a couple differences, mainly focusing on the colourway, but a serious adidas collector would give you a lecture on the intricacies and historical differences. For us, there are some leaps and bounds separating these, got to put some respect on the Blackburn Spezials!
Bruh, blackburns and spezial are two completely different shoes, they only share some colors. Spezial is a lot wider. I hate when people say something like "arent adidas Hamburg just sambas with different sole?"
They are literally called Blackburn SPZL
They are called Blackburn Spzl as they are part of the Spzl series. Nothing to do with Handball Spezial. Google adidas Spzl series for more info.
And? They are completely different
And not everyone has to know they are this much different lol. If I knew I wouldn’t ask. It’s not like it is easy to compare two similarly looking shoes with similar name without checking them out in person
Blackburns much more sought after and limited release and part of a Spezial release, 2024 decade pack. The others general release. Better silhouette for me also on the Blackburns but that’s only my opinion. The Handball I image will be comfier tho.
Other than colour, there are a few differences between the two. One is more stylish, more comfortable and much more hard wearing. Out of most of the adidas range you will be hard pushed to find a hardier shoe. The only reason you'd purchase the Blackburn over the Spezials is for a 'collection'
The round toe on the Blackburn is the only reason I wouldn’t get them. I’m definitely a fan of the Handball Spezial’s and the way they fit/feel/look. EDIT: I see you meant colour wise. Green on both seems about the same, but the navy outsole and tongue on the Blackburn with the brighter red stripes make it stand out a little more. Still, I like the dark brown outsole and maroon stripes on the Handball Spezials. Seems a little more subtle of the two.
Oh I have this question about so many of the Adidas styles....Jumping on here to ask if anyone is able to break down the differences between Sambas/Gazelle/Espezial/Busenitz Pro? I am currently wearing the VL Court 3.0 and love them and would like to get a diff pair of adidas in a fun color.....tysm
This dark green looks unique. Actually hardly like see alot green adidas sneakers.
I got a pair. For the inch to toe measurement given I found them exceptionally narrow. Build quality was slightly better than average based on the better material but I never got them on my feet to tell you otherwise.
They look so similar