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Every day, the adidas sneaker obsession reaches new heights, with fashion tastemakers moving quickly to the next buzzy trainer. At first, the adidas Superstars and the Stan Smiths made waves for their crisp white designs, then the adidas Sambas for their retro appeal; however, now it’s the adidas Gazelle shoes that are taking the fashion zeitgeist by storm right now.
Those in the know, including celebs like Olivia Wilde, Taylor Swift, and Brad Pitt, are deeming the Gazelle training shoe the must-have adidas sneaker for 2023.
Yes, the Gazelle is a total classic, but there’s a fresh appreciation for the low-top trainer, which is why it made The Lyst’s Index Hottest Product List for 2023. Its demand can be attributed to a few things, including the rise of effortlessly cool and sleek skate shoes that pair perfectly with the quiet luxury trend and the desire for seventies-to-mid-noughties era fashion items. Plus, with fashion trends permeating through TikTok (Gen Z’s trend incubator of choice), Instagram, and various second-hand and vintage resellers, nostalgic Gazelles fit in naturally.
Since their 1966 debut, adidas Gazelles have abandoned their functional color-coding and original design as an adidas running shoe. Instead, the sneaker has been reissued and updated with softer fabrics, new colors, and more emphasis on fashion rather than performance details.
The low-profile look and array of colors make Gazelles easy to work into rotation. They feel super sporty, which makes them an especially great shoe to juxtapose with a suit, like Pitt has done. You can lean into the athletic appeal, too, and wear them with your favorite workout leggings and statement jacket, à la Wilde.
We’re always on board with a classic sneaker that’s having a moment — even when it isn’t in the trend cycle, these sneakers are still timeless and extremely wearable. So, keep scrolling to shop for the best adidas Gazelle sneakers of 2023. Plus, learn more about the silhouette’s history and the styles offered today.
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The History of adidas Gazelle Shoes
Some of adidas’ most on-trend shoes are nearly as old as the brand itself — and that’s true of the brand’s latest ‘It’ sneaker, the adidas Gazelle.
It all started in the early 1960s, with its predecessor, the “Olympiade” model. This extremely favored shoe for handball, volleyball, jogging, or leisure laid the foundation for the Gazelle’s success and inspired the design of the first Gazelle prototype in 1965.
One year later, in 1966, the Gazelle, an innovative running shoe named after the gazelle best known for its long strides, launched. It made its debut in two versions: the red variant, featuring a transparent herringbone sole designed specifically for indoor sports, and the blue version, boasting a microcellular rubber outsole targeted as a training shoe. Unlike other adidas sneakers, the Gazelle featured a high-quality suede upper (rather than leather), lending style appeal to an otherwise athletic shoe.
As the Gazelle gained popularity, the go-to training shoe received several re-designs, with an updated sole, tongue, and heel tab. One of the most significant advancements came in 1971 with the introduction of the grippy hexagon outsole, upgrading the shoe’s traction.
By 1979, the Gazelle Special was born with a transparent sole that feature adidas’ Trefoil on the outsole, a new shape, and a redesigned forefoot. Originally marketed as a handball shoe, it was sold in the early 1980s under the Gazelle name and then debuted in 2011 as the Gazelle Indoor shoe.
Fast forward to the 1990s, when the Gazelle became an adidas walking sneaker worn by artists and supermodels like Kate Moss, Mick Jagger, Noel Gallagher, and many more. Also, during this time, adidas experimented with Gazelles made from recycled materials, which reflected the growing consciousness toward sustainable practices that the brand still follows today.
Today, the adidas Originals Gazelle shoe remains an iconic sneaker silhouette, cherished for its timeless design, comfort, and versatility. Collaborations with renowned designers and artists such as Gucci, Mastermind, Sean Wotherspoon, and Supreme have kept the shoe relevant in recent years. These partnerships helped the shoe make a name for itself and allowed the brand to expand the silhouette’s offerings into the Gazelle Bolds, Gazelle Indoor Shoes, and Gazelle ADV shoes.
The Different Types of adidas Gazelle Sneakers
- adidas Gazelle Shoes: In 1966, the original adidas Gazelle debuted as a running shoe. It was one of adidas’ first performance shoes made of suede rather than leather. By the 1970s, the Gazelle was quickly one of adidas’ most popular models, which is when the brand began experimenting with the design in several ways.
- adidas Gazelle Indoor Shoes: The Gazelle Indoor, as its name suggests, is a variant of the Gazelle training shoe modified for indoor use. However, don’t be fooled — you can wear this shoe outside for various activities. The main difference of the Gazelle Indoor is the translucent gum sole unit, which wraps around the entire shoe as opposed to the traditional textured white midsole of the OG Gazelle. Celebrity fans of this silhouette include Hilary Duff, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Olivia Wilde, and many more trendsetters.
- adidas Gazelle ADV Shoes: The Gazelle ADV shoes are part of adidas’ skateboarding line called adidas ADV, where shoes are designed alongside professional skateboarders. They have the same feel as your standard Gazelle, but with a little more substance. The suede upper is reinforced with Adituff to protect the toes, and the rubber outsole offers a ton of grip on the ground.
- adidas Gazelle Bold Shoes: When adidas introduced the Gazelle Bold Shoes in December of 2022, it brought a bold new look (hence the name) to the design. The standout feature? A three-layered platform sole. However, the shoe keeps the same details as the original, such as the buttery-soft suede composition, serrated Three Stripes, and metallic “Gazelle” signature stamp. Almost one year later, with the help of TikTok and street style influencers, adidas has released over ten hues, ranging from a classic beige and white colorway to a fiery red option, to coincide with fall 2023’s hottest color trend.
- adidas Gazelle High-Top Shoes: You don’t have to shoot hoops to appreciate a good high-top sneaker. There’s something about these ankle support shoes that gives any outfit a cool and retro feel. The adidas Gazelle high-top shoe is the perfect example, with its quilted padded collar and hook lacing system to keep your ankles cozy and support as a hiking boot would. The style also features signature serrated stripes at the sides and a logo-embossed platform rubber midsole like the Gazelle Bolds.
- adidas Y-3 Gazelle Shoes: For over two decades, the partnership between adidas and Yohji Yamamoto has continued to pioneer a trailblazing approach to avant-garde sportswear. In the winter of 2022, Y-3 returned to adidas with the launch of the high-profile adidas Gazelle sneaker made out of luxurious tonal suede. Available in classic black, navy, army green, and beige colorways, the sneaker features all the markings of the Gazelle that we know and love, but with an ever-so-slightly elevated sole, exposed stitching, new mudguards and Y-3 branding on its soft leather patched heel. The sneaker also has ‘Yohji Yamamoto’ on the upper, in silver foil lettering.
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Meet the Author
Nikki Chwatt is the Style Commerce Editor for Footwear News and WWD, where she writes and edits shopping stories on celebrity style, the latest fashion trends, and new shoe releases. Before joining Footwear News, Chwatt wrote for publications, including Editorialist. In her spare time, she enjoys scrolling through her favorite retailers and social platforms to stay up to date on the latest, greatest, and classics of what people wear, buy and love. As a New York City native, Chwatt is always searching for the best designer sneakers to get around comfortably. As a result, she has an overstuffed shoe closet that consists of adidas Gazelle sneakers. Chwatt updated this story on September 25, 2023 with new information about the adidas Gazelle sneakers and the best ones to buy for 2023 and beyond.
