Gazelle
The adidas Gazelle is a low suede sneaker that has been part of the adidas range since the 1960s. With its soft upper, the three stripes and the gold Gazelle lettering on the side, it is one of the most recognisable retro models. Today the Gazelle Indoor and the Gazelle Bold are especially popular, alongside the classic version.
The history of the adidas Gazelle
adidas introduced the Gazelle in 1966 as a versatile training shoe. The light suede made it more supple than many leather sports shoes of the time. In the decades that followed, the Gazelle left the sports field and was worn in the British music and football scene, including by bands from the Britpop era.
Since then the Gazelle keeps coming back, each time in new colours and materials. In recent years the Indoor version in particular has become a staple, and designers such as Wales Bonner and Bad Bunny released their own takes.
Design and versions
Every Gazelle follows the same recipe: a suede upper, serrated three stripes and a low profile. Still, the versions clearly differ from each other.
- Gazelle: the classic, with a rubber cupsole and a slightly sportier silhouette.
- Gazelle Indoor: based on the indoor version, with a translucent gum sole, a longer T-toe and a slimmer, flatter profile.
- Gazelle Bold: a women’s version with a stacked platform sole that gives you extra height.
Popular adidas Gazelle colorways
Within the Gazelle Indoor range, the Gazelle Indoor ‘Blue Fusion Gum’ in bright blue and the Gazelle Indoor ‘Bliss Pink Purple’ in light pink with purple stripes stand out. The Gazelle Indoor ‘Bold Orange’ goes for bright orange suede. For a calmer palette there is the Gazelle Indoor Bad Bunny ‘Wonder Clay’, a collaboration in earth tones with a second, double tongue.
What is the difference between the Gazelle and the Samba?
Both are low indoor sneakers with three stripes, but the material makes the difference. The Gazelle is almost always all suede and feels soft. The adidas Samba has a leather upper with a suede T-toe and fits narrower. If you want the flattest profile, also look at the Handball Spezial; for a sturdier sole, the Campus 00s is an alternative.
How does the adidas Gazelle fit?
The adidas Gazelle generally fits true to size, so you can keep your usual adidas size. The Indoor is a little slimmer and sits closer around the foot. With wide feet, or if you are between two sizes, half a size up gives the Gazelle a little more room. Despite the high sole, the Gazelle Bold is just as long as the regular Gazelle.
Buy the adidas Gazelle at WOOVIN
On WOOVIN you will find the adidas Gazelle, Gazelle Indoor and Gazelle Bold for women and men, in calm and bold colours. Choose the Indoor for a slim, flat silhouette, the classic Gazelle for a bit more structure and the Bold if you want some height. The size filter shows you straight away which versions are available in your size.
