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adidas Japan lists a black satin version of the Handball Spezial Lo Pro with an extra pair of silky ribbon laces for ¥16,500, or about $104. The styling gives the flat-soled sneaker a ballet-inspired look, but adidas has not announced a Mary Jane strap or described it as a ballet shoe.
adidas Japan is offering a black satin Handball Spezial Lo Pro with an additional set of silky ribbon laces, a styling update that brings the flat-soled sneaker closer to a ballet-inspired look. The pair is listed for ¥16,500, or about $104, according to Highsnobiety; adidas has not announced a Mary Jane strap or identified the shoe as a ballet model.
The reported update centers on the shoe’s satin upper and accompanying ribbon laces. Those details change the appearance of the Handball Spezial Lo Pro without, based on the source material, changing its basic low-profile, flat-soled shape. The result evokes ballet footwear, but that characterization is a fashion comparison rather than a confirmed adidas product category.
Highsnobiety reported that the sneaker was available through adidas Japan’s website for ¥16,500, which the outlet converted to approximately $104. The report does not provide a product launch date, stock information, or a confirmed listing in other markets. It also notes that the publication has affiliate marketing partnerships, which may generate a commission from purchases.
The article’s ballerina framing is partly speculative: Highsnobiety points to a Mary Jane strap as the detail that could push the design further in that direction. No such strap is described on this version. The available information confirms the satin and ribbon-lace styling, not a forthcoming redesign or a new ballet-sneaker launch.
A Ballet-Inspired Twist on a Familiar Flat
The release shows how a familiar adidas silhouette can take on a different fashion association through material and lacing changes. Satin and ribbon laces are cues commonly linked with ballet styling; applied to the Handball Spezial Lo Pro’s flat sole, they make the model relevant to shoppers looking for a dressier or more delicate-looking sneaker without confirming that it is designed as a ballet shoe.
For customers outside Japan, the reported listing also leaves a practical question: availability may be limited by market. The source identifies adidas Japan as the seller but gives no international release information. Readers considering the pair should check current local listings and pricing rather than assume the Japanese price or availability applies elsewhere.
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The Spezial’s Changing Style
The Handball Spezial is a long-running adidas model that Highsnobiety describes as versatile, citing previous styling interpretations that included a loafer-like look and a Pokémon-themed version. That history helps explain why the outlet sees another possible direction in the Lo Pro: the shoe’s existing flat profile lends itself to ballet-inspired styling when paired with satin and ribbons.
Highsnobiety also points to adidas models including the Samba Jane and Taekwondo Mei Ballet as examples of the brand’s ballet-influenced footwear. Those products provide background for the comparison, but they do not establish that adidas plans to turn the Handball Spezial Lo Pro into a Mary Jane or add it to a ballet line.
“The latest versions feature black satin uppers and even an additional set of silky ribbon shoelaces.”
— Highsnobiety
Release Plans Beyond Japan Remain Unknown
The source does not say whether the black satin version is available outside Japan, how many pairs were produced, or whether the listed stock remains available. It gives no release date or confirmation of a wider rollout. adidas has not been quoted commenting on the model, and the report does not establish whether the shoes are an ongoing product, a limited release, or a seasonal offering.
It is also unclear whether adidas will add a Mary Jane strap or market a future version explicitly as a ballet sneaker. That idea comes from Highsnobiety’s commentary; no such change is confirmed in the source. The reported dollar amount is an approximate conversion of the Japanese price, not a stated price for another market.
Check Local Listings for Availability
The next useful update would be confirmation from adidas about availability outside Japan or any additional versions of the Handball Spezial Lo Pro. Until then, shoppers can check adidas Japan’s current product listing for stock and specifications, while customers elsewhere should consult their regional adidas stores or websites for local pricing and release details.
No further release date, launch announcement, or design change is identified in the report. Any claim that a strap-equipped ballet version is coming would require a separate confirmation from adidas or an updated product listing.
Key Questions
What changed on this Handball Spezial Lo Pro?
The reported version has a black satin upper and an additional set of ribbon laces. The source does not describe a change to the shoe’s flat-soled shape.
Is adidas calling it a ballet sneaker?
The source frames the design as ballet-inspired, but it does not report adidas classifying or marketing this model as a ballet sneaker. That label is Highsnobiety’s fashion interpretation.
Does it have a Mary Jane strap?
No strap is described on the listed version. Highsnobiety mentions a Mary Jane strap as a possible future design detail, but no such update has been confirmed.
How much does it cost, and where is it listed?
Highsnobiety reports a price of ¥16,500, or approximately $104, on adidas Japan’s website. The report does not confirm availability or pricing in other markets.
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