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A Complete History of the adidas Gazelle

Expert Advice

A Complete History of the adidas Gazelle

Jun 11, 2024

Every hero has an origin story, and the adidas Gazelle is no different. This training-turned-lifestyle shoe is super on-trend at the moment, but this isn’t the first time wearers have gravitated toward the silhouette. Your parents — and maybe even your grandparents — probably owned a pair of this generation-spanning sneaker with its mix of premium materials, timeless design and signature Three Stripes. 

There’s a lot more to it than that, though, so here’s the story of how the adidas Gazelle women’s, men’s and kids’ shoes came to be, along with the sneaker’s innovative materials, some of its well-known fans and its sizing.

This training-turned-lifestyle shoe is trending, but this isn’t the first time wearers have gravitated toward the Gazelle style. Learn all about the adidas Gazelle, which dates back to 1966!

What Came Before

What Came Before

From the get-go, the adidas brand focused on obsessive engineering to make the best training shoes. But the Gazelles didn’t come first. adidas had been creating shoes for decades before that — first track spikes, which Jesse Owens wore in the infamous 1936 Olympics, and then onto even bigger and better things.


In the early 1960s, adidas paved the way for the Gazelle with two performance running shoes — the Rom in 1960 and the Olympiade in ’64. The Olympiade, in particular, could be considered an early iteration of the Gazelle, owing to its silhouette, stripes and elongated heel pull tab.

The Gazelle Emerges

The Gazelle Emerges

The year was 1966. The Beatles’ “Revolver” released, leaders in the Civil Rights Movement continued fighting for equality, and the U.S. was sending over troops to fight in Vietnam en masse. And adidas introduced its newest performance shoe — the low cut adidas Gazelle.

Named for the slender, graceful animal known for its speed and agility, the sneaker itself was the first adidas track shoe that swapped out its leather upper for suede. Not only did this reduce the weight of the sneaker, but it still provided the enduring structure and protection runners needed on the track or for indoor events.


Upon its release, the Gazelles were introduced in two distinct colorways with two purposes:

  • The red suede sneaker was designed for indoor sports, like handball and soccer, and included a translucent rubber sole with a herringbone traction pattern.
  • The blue version was made for training in all forms and had the ankle padding and arch support to prove it. This edition also employed a microcellular rubber outsole and kangaroo upper.

The Innovation Continues

The Innovation Continues

The Gazelle immediately gained a foothold in the training world and in the lifestyle arena. After all, the ’60s and ’70s were all about more relaxed styles and the counterculture movement.


That meant professional athletes, magazine models and celebrities alike could be spotted sporting a pair of adidas Gazelles, which espoused the laid-back vibe of the era.


Its original design, along with its red and blue iterations, became a prototype for tinkering. The adidas brand used the shoe as a jumping-off point to experiment with everything from outsole patterns to heel support and sole profiles. Ultimately, in 1971, the Gazelle’s outsole got its hexagonal traction pattern, offering wearers even more grippy performance than ever.

The Evolution of adidas Gazelle Style

The Evolution of adidas Gazelle Style

The Gazelles spread across the globe, which is especially impressive in a pre-internet age. Not only that, but different regions had different names for the shoe. In Japan, it was the adidas 300, and in France the blue edition was deemed “Chamois.” A young Michael Jackson, then of the Jackson 5, famously sported the sneakers, as did the Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger.

The shoes went on a temporary hiatus for a bit, reemerging in the early ’80s with fresh new colorways and rebranding to include a lifestyle focus. It wasn’t until the early ’90s that the shoes were completely cemented into casual wear, thanks to celebrities like Kate Moss, the Beastie Boys, Oasis and Run DMC. Today you’ll find these kicks on the feet of literally everyone — from Harry Styles and Kendall Jenner to Prince Harry and Olivia Wilde.

Notable Sneaker Models & Colorways

Notable Sneaker Models & Colorways

In 2001, adidas created its adidas Originals line to distinguish some of its lifestyle sneakers from their performance counterparts. The Gazelle, along with shoes like Sambas and the Stan Smiths, fell under the Originals umbrella. Inspired by its 1960s origins, a vintage adidas Gazelle model kicked off the early-aughts revival of the shoe. Other notable silhouettes since then have included the Gazelle Skateboarding and the Gazelle Bold, with its triple-stacked gum sole. Colorways range from a classic black and white makeup to pink suede with green stripes.


No doubt about it, these shoes exude low-key luxury with their classic silhouette, whether you gravitate toward the Bold addition with its thicker sole or the lower-to-the-ground OG version. Features of any modern Gazelle include:


  • Soft suede and nubuck uppers
  • Gazelle and adidas Originals branding
  • Signature rubber cupsole
  • Clean lines and minimalist aesthetic
  • Textile lining

Do adidas Gazelles Run Big or Small?

Do adidas Gazelles Run Big or Small?

One of the most-asked questions we get is: “Are adidas Gazelles comfortable?” And our answer is always: Yes! There’s a reason why the shoes have enjoyed star status for so many generations. Wear them with socks, without socks — however you want. Comfortable lining and supportive features make them ideal for all-day wear, whether you’re buying them for yourself or you’re trying to find shoes for your kids.


And when it comes to adidas Gazelle sizing, keep in mind that the shoes tend to run big, so when in doubt, size down!


The history of adidas Gazelles is a decades-in-the-making story, but you can write your own chapter by copping a pair of the classic sneakers. Hibbett has all the adidas Gazelle men’s, women’s and kids’ styles and colorways you’re looking for, so be sure to check out our online inventory or shop at a nearby location!

The history of adidas Gazelles is a decades-in-the-making story, but you can write your own chapter by copping a pair of the classic sneakers. Hibbett has all the adidas Gazelle men’s, women’s and kids’ styles and colorways you’re looking for, so be sure to check out our online inventory or shop at a nearby location!

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