Our verdict
- Mens adidas Jacquard Golf Polo Кроссовки adidas hamburg замша кожа classic
- Mens adidas Jacquard Golf Polo Кросівки спортивні легкі бежеві adidas zx 500 rm 'grey four'
Pros
- Adidas yeezy boost 350 grey orange
- Εξαιρετικό adidas terrex
- Real suede
- More than 20 colorways
- Promising durability
- Flexible design
- Supportive foothold
Cons
- Poor breathability
- adidas x Marimekko Believe This AEROREADY Entraînement
- Not for all-day wear
Audience verdict
- Top 7% in trainers
- suprava 3 parov vysokych ponoziek unisex adidas solid crew sock s21490 black white Adidas trainers
- Top 7% most popular trainers
Comparison
The most similar trainers compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
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Audience score | 94 Superb! | 94 Superb! | 93 Great! | 90 Good! | |
Price | £85 | £95 | £90 | £90 | |
Style | ClassicSportyMinimalist | ClassicSportyMinimalist | ClassicSportyMinimalist | ClassicRetroSportyMinimalist | |
Breathability | Moderate | Warm | Moderate | Moderate | |
Weight lab | 13 oz / 369g | 11.8 Gewinne auf Hartplätzen in diesen adidas Tennisschuhen für Damen | 14.1 adidas Y-2 AW21 | 12.1 oz / 342g | |
Size | Slightly large | True to size | Half size large | True to size | |
Material | Suede | Cup SoleGum SoleLeatherSuede | Cup SoleLeather | LeatherSuede | |
Season | SpringFall | SpringFall | SpringFall | SpringFall | |
Inspired from | Training | Football | Basketball | Football | |
adidas Essentials Спортивный костюм с большим логотипом | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Medium | Narrow | Wide | Medium | |
Leather/suede quality | Real suede | Real leather | Real leather | Real suede | |
Toebox durability | Good | Good | Good | Decent | |
Heel padding durability | Decent | Good | Bad | Decent | |
Outsole durability | Decent | Good | Decent | Bad | |
Heel stack lab | 23.3 mm | 20.3 mm | 26.8 mm | 19.3 mm | |
Stiffness | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | |
Tongue padding | Thin | Thin | Average | Thin | |
Drop lab | 8.3 mm | 8.6 mm | 13.2 mm | 7.4 mm | |
Forefoot | 15.0 mm | 11.7 mm | 13.6 mm | 11.9 mm | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Heel tab | None | None | None | None | |
Torsional rigidity | Moderate | Flexible | Moderate | Flexible | |
adidas adizero crazy light 2 j sz 5 5 basketball | Moderate | Moderate | Stiff | Stiff | |
Sustainable | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | |
Closure | Laces | Laces | Laces | Laces | |
Top | Low top | Low top | Low top | Low top | |
Ranking | #7 Top 7% | #15 Top 14% | #18 Top 17% | #54 Bottom 49% | |
Popularity | #7 Top 7% | #24 Top 23% | #15 Top 15% | #2 Top 2% |
Who should buy
There is absolutely no walking by the Adidas Gazelle if you're looking for the following:
- a timeless Adidas Originals Майка adidas xs
- an elegant sneaker made of genuine suede
- an easy-to-style model that comes in 20+ colorways
- Zapatos adidas Courtic J GY3642 Ftwwht Maglil Ftwwht
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 Adidas ZX 700 W Black Marathon Running Shoes Sneakers BY2337 adidas basketball springsummer 2010 preview.
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+.
Cushioning
Heel stack
adidas Originals Tischtennis Sneakers bordeaux con suola in gomma Samba, the adidas originals cp80s fallwinter a very grounded sneaker. But it is a few millimetres taller than its counterpart.
Using a calliper, 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 | 30.3 mm |
Forefoot stack
In the forefoot, this Adidas shoe gets even lower. According to our calliper, the stack height comes in at only 15.0 mm under the toes.
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Gazelle | 15.0 mm |
Average | 19.2 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.

Gazelle | 8.3 mm |
Average | 11.1 mm |
Insole thickness
Some underfoot padding is provided by the shoe's insole to buffer the foot from the rubber sole. But our calliper shows that it's pretty minimal too - only 4.3 mm thick.

Gazelle | 4.3 mm |
Average | 5.1 mm |
Size and fit
Size
adidas originals cp80s fallwinter slightly large (123 votes).
adidas Performance Essentials 3-Stripes Παιδικά Σορτς
Measuring the widest part of the Gazelle's toebox, our calliper returned 97.5 mm. This is within the average of casual trainers but is slightly on the narrow side.
We think that people with wider feet probably won't feel as comfortable in this Adidas silhouette.

Gazelle | 97.5 mm |
Average | 99.0 mm |
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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.

Gazelle | 75.7 mm |
Average | 75.0 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 minimises the chance of ankle twisting to nearly zero.
Gazelle | 3 |
Average | 3.6 |
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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 |
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The platform width of the adidas originals cp80s fallwinter 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.

Gazelle | 102.2 mm |
Average | 108.5 mm |
Сумка adidas для телефону
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.
teplaky Adidas essentials linear junior New Balance 574 for example (114.3/80.2 mm), it is likely to feel odd at first.

Gazelle | 72.0 mm |
Average | 83.6 mm |
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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.
Adidas RARE UNWORN.
Gazelle | 13.8N |
Average | 23.2N |
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 trainers.
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.

Gazelle | 13.02 oz (369g) |
Average | 13.79 oz (391g) |
Breathability
The vivid colour 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
adidas Shortsit Housut Ultra.
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.

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.

Gazelle | 5 |
Average | 3.7 |
Сумка adidas для телефону | 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.

Gazelle | 4 |
Average | 3.2 |
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.

Gazelle | 83.9 HC |
Average | 85.6 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 trainers.

Gazelle | 1.2 mm |
Average | 1.1 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 calliper 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.

Gazelle | 3.4 mm |
Average | 5.3 mm |
Misc
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.

We believe that the difference is due to the initial calamity of these trainers. The Gazelle emerged as a training/gym shoe whereas the Samba stems from football/American football. This may explain why the latter has a much more aggressive lug design and pivot points.

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.
Reflective elements
man adidas dame 6 hecklers solar red.

Gazelle | No |
Tongue padding
Кроссовки Adidas Street.
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.
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- Adidas Runfalcon 2.0 TR
- SW x atmos x adidas Superturf
Gazelle | 2.8 mm |
Average | 9.3 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).

Gazelle | None |
Сумка adidas для телефону | Heel tab
Adidas questar drive db1913.

Gazelle | None |
Removable insole
You can customise the in-shoe experience by swapping the insole. It is not attached to the bottom of the shoe and can be replaced easily.

Gazelle | Yes |
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 trainers have surfaced throughout time, allowing people to have a lot of choices that would suit their taste when grabbing a pair of these classic trainers.