About

adidas Gazelle

In 1966 adidas released a shoe that was not intended for a single sport. Where the brand had until then designed by discipline, the Gazelle was a general training shoe: good enough for the track, the indoor court and the road to get there.

Suede as main material

The most important choice was the upper. Where leather was stiff and heavy, suede produced a light shoe that immediately molded to the foot. That made it pleasant to train in, but it also gave it its matte, soft appearance — and that is ultimately the reason it found its way far outside sport. The three stripes sit as separate bands on the panel, with the name beside them.

How it differs from the Samba

This is the question most people have, and the answer lies in the toe. The Samba has a T-shaped reinforcement over the toe because a ball hits it there; the Gazelle does not. Its silhouette is therefore smoother and narrower, and the tread under the sole is simpler. Two models from the same mindset, with a difference that entirely follows from their function.

Why it survived

The Gazelle survived because it never looked overly like anything. It is neither overtly sporty nor explicitly smart, and precisely that neutrality made it usable again in every decade. Within adidas it stands next to the Superstar as the quiet family member: no shell toe, no armor, just form. A beast that keeps itself subdued.

On this page you can see which versions of the adidas Gazelle are currently hottest according to the Hypescore, from what price they’re available and in how many shops they’re in stock.