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adidas Japan lists a black satin version of the Handball Spezial Lo Pro for ¥16,500, or about $104, according to Highsnobiety. The low-profile shoe comes with an additional set of silky ribbon laces; a Mary Jane strap is not part of the described design.
adidas Japan has listed a black satin Handball Spezial Lo Pro with an additional set of ribbon shoelaces for ¥16,500, or about $104, according to a report by Highsnobiety. The fabric and lace details give the low-profile sneaker a ballet-inspired look, though the version described does not have the Mary Jane strap that would make the design more closely resemble a ballet flat.
The update centers on the shoe’s satin upper and silky ribbon laces. Highsnobiety describes the Spezial Lo Pro as already having a flat-soled shape, with the new materials and laces bringing its styling closer to ballet footwear. The publication said adidas Japan was offering the black version through its website when it reported on the release.
The listed price is ¥16,500; Highsnobiety gave an approximate equivalent of $104. The source does not provide a release date, stock count, or information about availability outside Japan. It also does not describe changes to the sneaker’s construction beyond the satin upper and extra ribbon laces.
Highsnobiety frames the ballet comparison as a styling possibility, not as an official adidas designation. The report notes that the shoe has no Mary Jane strap, a feature it suggests could push the design further toward a ballet sneaker. That is editorial commentary rather than a confirmed adidas plan.
A Ballet Look Without a Strap
The listing shows how materials and laces can shift the visual character of an existing sneaker without changing its basic silhouette. For shoppers interested in ballet-inspired footwear, the satin-and-ribbon combination offers another option within adidas’ established Handball Spezial line, rather than a separately announced model.
The distinction between a fashion reference and a product category matters: adidas has not been reported as calling this a ballet sneaker, and the source does not say a strap version is in development. Readers should treat the ballerina connection as Highsnobiety’s interpretation of the design. The confirmed news is narrower: a black satin version with ribbon laces is listed in Japan at the stated price.
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How the Spezial Fits adidas’ Ballet Styling
Highsnobiety places the shoe alongside other adidas styles with ballet-inspired design cues, naming the Samba Jane and Taekwondo Mei Ballet as examples from the brand’s collection. The report uses those models to explain why a flat-soled Handball Spezial could also work with a softer, ballet-influenced treatment.
The Handball Spezial has also been styled in ways beyond its original sneaker look, according to Highsnobiety, which points to loafer-like and Pokémon-themed versions. That background helps explain the publication’s comparison, but it does not establish that adidas intends to turn the Lo Pro into a ballet-specific line.
“The latest versions feature black satin uppers and even an additional set of silky ribbon shoelaces.”
— Highsnobiety
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Availability Beyond Japan Is Unclear
The source confirms a listing on adidas Japan’s website, but does not establish whether the sneaker is available in other markets or whether a wider release is planned. It gives no inventory details, restock information, or end date for the listing.
It is also unclear whether adidas will offer other colors or versions with additional ballet-inspired features. In particular, the report offers no evidence that a Mary Jane strap is in development. The “ballerina” description should be understood as editorial interpretation of the current styling, not an announced product name or confirmed design direction.
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Watch for Regional Release Details
For now, the reported next step for interested buyers is to check adidas Japan’s listing for current stock and purchase terms. The source provides no schedule for a release in other countries, so any broader availability would need confirmation from adidas or a later retailer listing.
Further details that could clarify the launch include whether the satin version will be restocked, whether additional colors are planned, and whether adidas will market the shoe as ballet-inspired. Until the company announces those points, the confirmed update remains limited to the Japanese listing, its black satin finish, ribbon laces and stated price.
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Key Questions
What is new about the Handball Spezial Lo Pro?
The reported version has a black satin upper and includes an additional set of ribbon shoelaces. Highsnobiety says the shoe retains its flat, low-profile look.
How much does it cost?
Highsnobiety reports a price of ¥16,500 on adidas Japan’s website, approximately $104 in the report. Prices and availability may vary by market.
Is this officially an adidas ballet sneaker?
The source does not report that adidas has officially labeled it a ballet sneaker. The ballet comparison is Highsnobiety’s description of the satin, ribbons and flat sole.
Does the shoe have a Mary Jane strap?
No strap is mentioned in the report. Highsnobiety says a Mary Jane strap would bring the design closer to a ballet sneaker, but does not report that such a version is planned.
Will it be sold outside Japan?
The source confirms a listing on adidas Japan’s website but provides no information about availability in other countries or a wider release date.
Source: rss
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