Our verdict
- Our top pick in best classic Adidas sneakers
- Our top pick in best Adidas sneakers
Pros
- Timeless elegant look
- Excellent value for money
- Real suede
- More than 20 colorways
- Promising durability
- Flexible design
- Supportive foothold
Cons
- Poor breathability
- Tongue is rough and squeaks
- Not for all-day wear
Audience verdict
- Top 5% in sneakers
- Top 24% in Adidas sneakers
- Top 4% most popular sneakers
Comparison
The most similar sneakers compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
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Audience score | 94 Superb! | 93 Superb! | 92 Great! | 90 Great! | |
Price | $100 | $90 | $90 | $90 | |
Style | ClassicSportyMinimalist | ClassicSportyMinimalist | ClassicSportyMinimalist | ClassicRetroSportyMinimalist | |
Breathability | Moderate | Moderate | Warm | Moderate | |
Weight lab | 13 oz / 369g | 14.1 oz / 401g | 11.8 oz / 335g | 12.1 oz / 342g | |
Material | Suede | Cup SoleLeather | Cup SoleGum SoleLeatherSuede | LeatherSuede | |
Season | SpringFall | SpringFall | SpringFall | SpringFall | |
Inspired from | Training | Basketball | Soccer | Soccer | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Medium | Wide | Narrow | Medium | |
Leather/suede quality | Real suede | Real leather | Real leather | Real suede | |
Toebox durability | Good | Good | Good | Decent | |
Heel padding durability | Decent | Bad | Good | Decent | |
Outsole durability | Decent | Decent | Good | Bad | |
Heel stack lab | 23.3 mm | 26.8 mm | 20.3 mm | 19.3 mm | |
Stiffness | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | |
Tongue padding | Thin | Average | Thin | Thin | |
Drop lab | 8.3 mm | 13.2 mm | 8.6 mm | 7.4 mm | |
Forefoot | 15.0 mm | 13.6 mm | 11.7 mm | 11.9 mm | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Heel tab | None | None | None | None | |
Torsional rigidity | Moderate | Moderate | Flexible | Flexible | |
Heel counter stiffness | Moderate | Stiff | Moderate | Stiff | |
Sustainable | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | |
Closure | Laces | Laces | Laces | Laces | |
Top | Low top | Low top | Low top | Low top | |
Ranking | #4 Top 5% | #9 Top 10% | #18 Top 20% | #40 Top 43% | |
Popularity | #3 Top 4% | #16 Top 18% | #28 Top 30% | #2 Top 3% |
Who should buy
There is absolutely no walking by the Adidas Gazelle if you're looking for the following:
- a timeless Adidas Originals silhouette from 1991
- an elegant sneaker made of genuine suede
- an easy-to-style model that comes in 20+ colorways
- an excellent value for money
Who should NOT buy
The Gazelle's tongue can be a headache. If you want to avoid chafing and squeaking, we recommend the Adidas Superstar or the Adidas Campus 00S for their softer and better-padded tongues.
The shoe's suede upper may also feel too stuffy on a warm summer day. If you prefer fresh feet, one of our best summer sneakers is likely to suit you better.
And if you need a pair for extended periods of standing and walking, it is a better idea to get a well-cushioned Adidas shoe instead. Like the uber-comfy Alphabounce+ or the Supernova+.
Breathability
The vivid color options of the Gazelle scream summer. But its toasty suede upper whispers the opposite.
When we used a smoke-pumping machine to check the shoe's ventilation capacity, we found that it was not such an airy sneaker. The smoke (air) was only able to escape from the gaps on the sides of the tongue.
It means that once this Adidas shoe is fully laced up on foot, it will get even less breathable. Thus, we rated it as only 3 on a 1-5 scale where 5 is the most breathable.
Checking the shoe's upper transparency was also in vain as there are no ventilation holes whatsoever.
Gazelle | 3 |
Average | 3.1 |
Durability
Leather/Suede quality
According to Adidas, Gazelle comes with a suede upper and synthetic lining.
Equipped with a butane torch, we burned the shoe's upper materials for a few seconds to check their genuineness. Next, we tested the burnt parts with a scratch awl.
In the end, we found that the suede is real whereas the white overlay and the inner lining are indeed fake/synthetic.
![Adidas Gazelle Leather quality](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-leather-quality-20893686-main.jpg)
Gazelle | Real suede |
Toebox durability
A sneaker with real suede in the upper is a wise choice if you want truly long-lasting footwear. Let our Dremel test reassure you of the Gazelle's incredible durability.
Raising the speed to the unforgiving 10K RPM, we held the tool against the shoe's toebox for a whole 12 seconds. And the result was truly stunning.
Seeing just a little dimple on the upper, we were amazed at the wear resistance! On a 1-5 scale, we rated the shoe's toebox durability with the highest score of 5.
![Adidas Gazelle Toebox durability](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-toebox-durability-20893687-main.jpg)
Gazelle | 5 |
Average | 3.9 |
Heel padding durability
The inner lining is usually a pretty delicate part of a shoe's upper. But not in the Adidas Gazelle!
Even though it's just a thin synthetic layer, it managed to stand against the Dremel much better than the average.
After 4 seconds of drilling, the tool only scratched the topmost layer without ruining the shoe's integrity. For that reason, we rated the heel padding durability with a high score of 4 out of 5.
![Adidas Gazelle Heel padding durability](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-heel-padding-durability-20893688-main.jpg)
Gazelle | 4 |
Average | 3.4 |
Outsole hardness
Seeing how strong the Gazelle's upper is, we couldn't wait to see if the outsole lives up to that standard too.
First, we checked how hard the bottom rubber is. With a durometer measurement of 83.9 HC, it is nearly the same as the average. Normally, there is a correlation between the hardness of rubber and its longevity.
![Adidas Gazelle Outsole hardness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-outsole-hardness-20893691-main.jpg)
Gazelle | 83.9 HC |
Average | 85.2 HC |
Outsole durability
Now it was time to apply our trusty Dremel to the outsole rubber as well. The 10K RPM speed is relentless but so is the Gazelle.
After the long 22-second drilling session was over, we saw that the rubber did not give in that easily!
With the help of a tread gauge, we measured the depth of the damage at 1.2 mm. That is right about the average of our lab-tested sneakers.
![Adidas Gazelle Outsole durability](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-outsole-durability-20893689-main.jpg)
Gazelle | 1.2 mm |
Average | 1.0 mm |
Outsole thickness
Despite the fact that the shoe's entire platform is made of rubber, we only considered the thickness of the bottom-most layer (below the vertical pillars). That's because when that one is gone, the whole shoe becomes pretty much unwearable.
Our caliper returned 3.4 mm which is pretty thin for a sneaker. That certainly helps to keep the weight of the shoe down but makes us a little concerned about the long-term outsole durability.
![Adidas Gazelle Outsole thickness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-outsole-thickness-20893690-main.jpg)
Gazelle | 3.4 mm |
Average | 5.5 mm |
Weight
Wearing the Adidas Gazelle for a few hours straight, we never felt like it was dragging us down. In fact, it felt on the lighter side of sneakers.
To back up our experiences, we put the shoe on the scale and found that it weighs 13 oz (369g) in a men's US size 9. For a low-top kick, this weight is right about average. Certainly not among the lightest on the market.
![Adidas Gazelle Weight](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-weight-20893713-main.jpg)
Gazelle | 13.02 oz (369g) |
Average | 13.83 oz (392g) |
Cushioning
Heel stack
Much like the Samba, the Adidas Gazelle is a very grounded sneaker. But it is a few millimeters taller than its counterpart.
Using a caliper, we measured the shoe's stack height at 23.3 mm in the heel. This is notably lower than the average.
Adding to that the total absence of a cushioned midsole, we get a big no-no for all-day wear. Even though the Gazelle has a comfortable step-in feel, it really lacks underfoot support for long periods of wear.
Gazelle | 23.3 mm |
Average | 29.6 mm |
Forefoot stack
In the forefoot, this Adidas shoe gets even lower. According to our caliper, the stack height comes in at only 15.0 mm under the toes.
Low enough to feel the small pebbles on the ground. Watch out!
![Adidas Gazelle Forefoot stack](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-forefoot-stack-20893692-main.jpg)
Gazelle | 15.0 mm |
Average | 18.6 mm |
Drop
There is not a drastic difference between the shoe's heel and forefoot stack heights. Based on our measurements, it is lower than average at 8.3 mm.
Not having an elevated heel is yet another factor that makes the Gazelle feel so minimal and down-to-earth. Whether or not that's a good thing, depends on the wearer's preference only.
![Adidas Gazelle Drop](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-drop-20893695-main.jpg)
Gazelle | 8.3 mm |
Average | 10.9 mm |
Insole thickness
Some underfoot padding is provided by the shoe's insole to buffer the foot from the rubber sole. But our caliper shows that it's pretty minimal too - only 4.3 mm thick.
![Adidas Gazelle Insole thickness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-insole-thickness-20893697-main.jpg)
Gazelle | 4.3 mm |
Average | 5.2 mm |
Stability
Lateral stability test
It is pretty unlikely that stability would be a concern in the Adidas Gazelle. Being such a low-profile shoe with a firm midsole, it made us feel planted on the ground at all times.
Not to mention that the suede upper offers a highly supportive foothold on the sides.
Torsional rigidity
Another contributing factor to the shoe's stability is a fair amount of stiffness in its sole.
When we tried to twist the Gazelle torsionally, we found much more resistance than we felt in the Samba. For that reason, we rated the Gazelle's torsional rigidity as 3 out of 5 whereas the Samba came at only 1.
Having such a low-stacked and stiff sole minimizes the chance of ankle twisting to nearly zero.
Gazelle | 3 |
Average | 3.4 |
Heel counter stiffness
There is also a reasonable amount of sturdiness in the shoe's heel counter.
Giving it a good push and squeeze in a manual assessment, we rated the heel counter's stiffness as 3 out of 5, where 5 is the stiffest.
On foot, this translates into a firmer heel hold. But not a restrive one as there is still enough give for the ankle.
Gazelle | 3 |
Average | 3.2 |
Midsole width in the forefoot
The platform width of the Adidas Gazelle is pretty similar to that of the Samba. And it is not a wide one.
Measuring the widest part of the forefoot at 102.2 mm, we found that it is slightly narrower than average. This helps the sneaker feel lighter and more minimal.
![Adidas Gazelle Midsole width in the forefoot](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-midsole-width-in-the-forefoot-20893700-main.jpg)
Gazelle | 102.2 mm |
Average | 108.4 mm |
Midsole width in the heel
The heel of the Gazelle's platform shows 72.0 mm in the widest part. This is even narrower than the Samba (75.4 mm) and, consequently, narrower than the average.
If you are coming from a wider platform, like the New Balance 574 for example (114.3/80.2 mm), it is likely to feel odd at first.
![Adidas Gazelle Midsole width in the heel](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-midsole-width-in-the-heel-20893701-main.jpg)
Gazelle | 72.0 mm |
Average | 82.9 mm |
Flexibility
Stiffness
Transitioning from heels to toes feels pretty natural in the Adidas Gazelle. This is thanks to its minimal sole which bends along with the foot in a very natural way.
To give you a more precise idea of how flexible this Adidas shoe is, we used a gauge that measured how much force it takes to bend the Gazelle to a 90-degree angle. Turns out, that it needs only 13.8N which is about 40% less than it takes for an average sneaker.
It is also the same amount of force as the Adidas Samba required.
Gazelle | 13.8N |
Average | 22.9N |
Grip / Traction
As you can probably tell by now, the Adidas Gazelle and Samba have a lot in common. But there is one aspect where these shoes differ a lot - it's the traction pattern.
![Adidas Gazelle Lug depth](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-lug-depth-20893703-main.jpg)
We believe that the difference is due to the initial purpose of these sneakers. The Gazelle emerged as a training/gym shoe whereas the Samba stems from soccer/football. This may explain why the latter has a much more aggressive lug design and pivot points.
![Adidas Samba grip](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25204/adidas-samba-grip-20889559-720.jpg)
But for most casual scenarios, both Adidas shoes work quite well. Unless it's raining. We found that the Gazelle is a bit slippery on wet surfaces but you probably wouldn't want to wear a suede shoe in the rain anyways.
Size and fit
Toebox width at the widest part
Measuring the widest part of the Gazelle's toebox, our caliper returned 97.5 mm. This is within the average of casual sneakers but is slightly on the narrow side.
We think that people with wider feet probably won't feel as comfortable in this Adidas silhouette.
![Adidas Gazelle Toebox width at the widest part](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-toebox-width-at-the-widest-part-20893702-main.jpg)
Gazelle | 97.5 mm |
Average | 98.8 mm |
Toebox width at the big toe
As for the toebox width around the big toe, we measured it at 75.7 mm. Again, close to the average but not so accommodating for wider feet.
Based on our measurements, the Gazelle's toebox shape and width are nearly identical to the Adidas Samba. If you've worn the latter, it is safe to go with the same size. But compared to the Adidas Superstar, the Gazelle has a more tapered and narrower tip of the forefoot.
![Adidas Gazelle Toebox width at the big toe](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-toebox-width-at-the-big-toe-20893704-main.jpg)
Gazelle | 75.7 mm |
Average | 74.7 mm |
Tongue: gusset type
The Gazelle's tongue has no gussets on the sides. But we didn't really find them necessary as there was no shifting or bunching.
But, unfortunately, the shoe's tongue can be a real deal-breaker for the Gazelle for other reasons (see the section below).
![Adidas Gazelle Tongue: gusset type](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-tongue-gusset-type-20893705-main.jpg)
Gazelle | None |
Comfort
Tongue padding
Measuring the tongue with a caliper, we found that it is pretty thin at only 2.8 mm.
But this wouldn't be so much of a problem if it wasn't for its very rough, almost plastic-like, nature that kept cutting into our ankles mercilessly. Wearing taller socks may not be such a bad idea, at least the first few times.
But to our great regret, this was not the only problem with the shoe's tongue. Another major mood-killer is the squeaky sound. It is produced when the rubbery material on the tongue comes in touch with the synthetic lining inside the shoe.
There are a couple of tricks that can help the situation though:
- applying some Vaseline to the lining where it meets the tongue
- sewing a small piece of soft fabric inside the shoe, near the topmost eyelets
Gazelle | 2.8 mm |
Average | 9.0 mm |
Heel tab
No heel tabs here but the collar extends up high making it easier to grab when getting the shoe on.
![Adidas Gazelle Heel tab](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-heel-tab-20893708-main.jpg)
Gazelle | None |
Removable insole
You can customize the in-shoe experience by swapping the insole. It is not attached to the bottom of the shoe and can be replaced easily.
![Adidas Gazelle Removable insole](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-removable-insole-20893711-main.jpg)
Gazelle | Yes |
Misc
Reflective elements
The Adidas Gazelle has no reflective elements.
![Adidas Gazelle Reflective elements](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/25091/adidas-gazelle-reflective-elements-20893706-main.jpg)
Gazelle | No |
Style
In 1966, the Adidas Gazelle was first introduced as a performance training shoe. It was the first shoe from Adidas to have a suede upper since, during that time, leather was more commonly used for shoes.
We love the classic and adaptable look of the Gazelle. This ageless Adidas silhouette manages to mix sporty vibes with a chic and sophisticated look. As a result, we get a clean and straightforward style that goes well with a variety of our outfit choices, from street style to a semi-formal look.
Because of its extreme popularity, different variations of the Adidas Gazelle sneakers have surfaced throughout time, allowing people to have a lot of choices that would suit their taste when grabbing a pair of these classic sneakers.