Skip to main content
SoleFeedSF
Buyer's Guide

adidas Gazelle Review & Sizing Guide

Published Updated

The Gazelle is worth it for 1966 training-shoe history and suede style, but fit and care matter.

Shop all

Key facts

Popularity
Peak ubiquity in 2025-2026 with 60 years of heritage behind it
Comfort
Most cushioned of the Adidas terrace trio; soft from day one
Fit
True to size but narrow; suede does not stretch
Value
Good at $100 for the suede quality and cushioning
Use case
Everyday casual, streetwear, light going-out situations
Risk
Suede stains in rain and the narrow fit locks in at purchase

Full breakdown

Released in 1966, the Gazelle was one of adidas' first non-leather training shoes, built in soft suede for indoor sport and general training. Through the 1980s and 1990s it became a fixture of British terrace culture, indie and Britpop bands, and casual subcultures across Europe. Decades of reissues keep it tied to that music-and-street heritage, which is the main reason buyers reach for it today.

FAQ

How does the Adidas Gazelle fit?

The Gazelle fits true to size for regular-width feet but runs narrow, so wide-footed buyers should look at the Handball Spezial or Gazelle Indoor instead. In a Samba vs Gazelle thread, narrow-footed shoppers were steered toward it, and the suede gives only slightly before settling, so a tight pair at purchase tends to stay tight.

Is the Adidas Gazelle comfortable for all-day wear?

For light daily wear, yes. Owners who rank it the most comfortable of the terrace lineup over the Samba and Spezial point to its slightly softer ride. For sustained walking it falls short, and the same community advises picking a supportive trainer once you go past a few thousand steps a day.

How durable is the Adidas Gazelle?

Buy a protectant spray and apply it before first wear, because the suede upper is the Gazelle's weak point: it scuffs, marks, and is hard to clean. Some pairs also develop a persistent flex squeak that does not resolve on its own. Keep it out of rain and budget for visible wear if you rotate it heavily.

Gazelle vs Samba: which should I buy?

Choose the Gazelle for a slightly softer ride and a slimmer suede look; choose the Samba for an easier-to-maintain leather upper that handles weather better. A direct comparison thread shows narrow-footed buyers leaning Gazelle, while both run narrow, so wide feet should size up or pick the Handball Spezial.

Is the Adidas Gazelle a trend or a classic?

Buy it for the long-term look rather than the hype: it is a genuine classic in production since 1966, and adidas' own Gazelle archive page documents that continuous history. The recent demand spike is fashion-cycle driven, so style-led buyers are safe while pure trend-chasers should expect the heat to cool.