The adidas Gazelle is one of those sneakers that has quietly been cool for so long it is easy to forget how old it is. Across multiple decades and subcultures, it keeps returning as a style staple.
A 1960s–70s trainer
The Gazelle traces back to the 1960s as a training shoe and was updated through the 1970s. Its formula — a soft suede upper, the three stripes, a simple gum or contrast sole, and a slim retro profile — has stayed remarkably consistent, which is a big part of why it never looks out of place.
A subcultural staple
The Gazelle became embedded in British youth culture in particular, worn across football-terrace, Britpop, and indie scenes, and it has cycled back into mainstream fashion repeatedly — most recently as part of the wider adidas terrace-sneaker resurgence.
Gazelle vs Samba
The two are often confused. The Gazelle has a fuller suede upper without the Samba’s contrasting toe overlay, a slightly more rounded and retro look, and typically comes in a wider range of bold suede colors. The Samba is flatter, more minimal, and reads a touch more “default.” See our full Samba vs Gazelle vs Spezial comparison.
Fit and styling
Like most adidas terrace models, the Gazelle fits low and fairly narrow; try before buying if you have wider feet. Its slim profile works with cuffed or wide denim, trousers, and shorts, and the bolder suede colorways make it an easy way to add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral fit. More in Sneakers.