The adidas Gazelle first released in 1968 as a handball and indoor training silhouette. Designed with a suede upper, low-profile sole, and distinctive T-toe, the Gazelle has remained in continuous production since with only minor updates. Its cultural journey spans six decades and multiple subcultures, making it one of adidas's most enduring lifestyle icons.
The 1968 original
Launched alongside the Samba as a training shoe, the Gazelle featured:
- Suede upper in multiple colorways
- Low-profile gum rubber sole
- "Gazelle" heel branding
- T-shaped toe overlay
- Minimal three-stripe branding
Cultural eras
- 1970s-1980s: Workout and training shoe; popular in British football casuals
- 1990s Britpop: Worn by Liam Gallagher (Oasis), Ian Brown (Stone Roses), and countless UK bands
- 2000s-2010s: Resurgence as a vintage lifestyle silhouette
- 2020s: Global fashion crossover alongside the Samba
The 2020s Gazelle renaissance
The Gazelle has returned to cultural center stage in 2022-2024 through:
- Wales Bonner × Gazelle (multiple pastel seasons since 2022)
- Sporty & Rich × Gazelle
- Bad Bunny × Gazelle "Blue Tint" (2024)
- Liam Gallagher × adidas — Gallagher's signature touching Gazelle heritage
- Gazelle Indoor — 2023 retro of a 1970s indoor variant
- Gazelle 85 — 1985-spec heritage retro
Key variants
- Gazelle OG — 1968-era construction
- Gazelle Indoor — 1970s indoor training variant
- Gazelle 85 — 1985-era construction
- Gazelle Bold (Women's) — platform variant
- Wales Bonner Gazelle — premium collaboration series
- Gazelle Vegan — sustainable variant
Retail
Standard Gazelle retros retail at $90-$110. Premium variants and collaborations (Wales Bonner, Sporty & Rich) retail $150-$220. The Gazelle's accessibility compared to premium silhouettes has been a key driver of its 2020s appeal.