As someone who often jumps from the office to working lunches, to the airport, to press tours, I need a good versatile shoe. Shoe trends may come and go, but comfort is a consideration I’m not willing to leave behind. So, I’m always on the lookout for a smart trainer that will see me through long journeys, as well as something I can get away with for an industry event.
Last summer, I flew to Italy with a fashion brand, had a meeting with their team, did a walking tour of a city (including a particularly memorable hill), then flew to meet my family on vacation – all in one shoe. The style in question was the Adidas Originals Gazelle, a colorful suede trainer made with all the performance technology you’d expect from a sports brand.
It’s sleek and lightweight, perfect for travel, and the color means it’s a fashion piece, not something for the gym. I also wore them to the office and for meetings at Galeries Lafayette, and no one batted an eye (some spots in Paris or elsewhere can still be strict on dress code). I even did a tour of a Brittany estate – to be transparent, I hadn’t fully realized it would be four hours across rocky terrain – without any rubbing or blisters. It’s truly the toughest working shoe in the industry.
The History
The German brand Adidas was founded in 1949, but Adidas Originals – the brand’s trendiest athleisure wing – was only launched in 1997, with some of the company’s design signatures, giving it a distinctly retro feel. One of the best examples is its classic trainer Gazelle; first designed in 1960 as the brand’s “training shoes” – yes, that’s how we get the name “trainers” – initially called “Rom” in reference to the 1960 Rome Olympics. The shoe was revolutionary in its technology, with advanced lightweight performance materials, and it was the first shoe to have a “heel tab” for easy on and off. Renamed Gazelle in 1966, and given a suede style makeover and the three stripes logo design now synonymous with it, an icon was born.
Adidas Originals Gazelle
Burgundy Gazelle S
The shoe remained a staple in the sports world, worn by high-profile personalities and Olympians – the most notable moment being when Mark Spitz (considered the greatest swimmer of all time until Michael Phelps) held his Adidas Gazelles on the podium at the 1972 Munich Olympics. A little backstory on the founder: Adi Dassler personally made a pair of track spikes for black athlete Jesse Owens to wear in front of Nazi Germany for the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Design isn’t the only boundary-pushing element of this brand. The shoe’s story took a turn in 1986 when hip-hop group Run DMC released the track “My Adidas.” The original German brand was present in the US at the time, but mostly through sports partnerships, and would have no idea what was driving sales up in the US until one of its executives in Los Angeles attended a concert and saw 40,000 fans holding up their Adidas trainers to chant along with the track. The group got a $1 million sponsorship deal as a result – not only a first for a hip hop group but also the very first deal between a sports brand and a non-athletic spokesperson. The group forever sported their signature Adidas sneakers – worn without laces, with the tongue out – typically paired with Adidas striped tracksuits.
Black & White Gazelle Bold
Gazelle ‘Halo Blush’
It was a significant cultural milestone not just for Adidas but also for contemporary fashion. Athleisure wasn’t new, but it had previously been preppy (think Ralph Lauren tennis skirts and cord knits tied over shoulders), whereas this was a new wave of street style, and it exploded. The trend wasn’t just a mix of sportswear with streetwear; it had a heavy branding focus, with recognizable logos from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Tommy Hilfiger in high demand (though met with backlash as “dupe” versions were more readily available), but none proved more effective than the Adidas three-stripe logo.
London followed suit in the ’90s, tracksuits and sneakers became the Britpop uniform (Oasis was frequently photographed in Adidas) as well as worn by models like Kate Moss. Adidas Originals had broken the mold and become not only fashionable but also a statement of youth culture and the new off-duty dressing mode – arguably the first cult fashion item. So, what makes this travel shoe the ideal travel shoe?
In addition to being a style staple, the Adidas Gazelle is comfortable, making it the perfect uniform for savvy jet-setters. I have personally worn these sneakers on planes, trains, and automobiles (as well as on a boat, if anyone’s curious), and true to their athleisure roots, they’re the perfect blend of form and function: comfortable enough for long journeys, practical enough to stand in all day, and stylish enough for any occasion. I also wore them for a full day of sightseeing around Zurich and can happily report they didn’t rub, blister, or make my feet ache.
The Shape
Unlike many modern styles, these shoes have a very slim shape and a more understated sole (especially compared to other popular styles like the Balenciaga Triple S, for example). The slim shape means they don’t look out of place with a more formal outfit so you can wear them with smart trousers or striped joggers (see our business lounge tip) for a work-appropriate travel look.
Because they’re so slim, you can also pair them with dresses and skirts, as the shape is more akin to a pump than a chunky sneaker. The overall shape means they can be paired with a world of outfit options, which is handy when packing light. The concern with shoes that are narrow around the toe can be that the compression will cause pain or even long-term damage, but the Gazelles are designed with function foremost in mind, so no pressure on wide feet.
The Fabric
The main point of difference between the Gazelle and any other gym trainer is the fabric. The suede exterior keeps these sneakers firmly in fashion territory, and the wide variety of colors, from subtle monochromes to fun pops of bright colors, keeps the Gazelle feeling fresh and modern. The suede also makes it more of an occasion trainer; something you might wear to a lunch date, not just to run errands.
I’ve worn them to the office (as have other colleagues) with wide-leg trousers or long skirts, as you would with a pump or a loafer. The only downside to them being more of a fashion piece is that you probably wouldn’t pack them for active vacations, or anything involving lots of puddles or mud.
Intercultural Appeal
One of the great things about the Adidas Gazelle is that it doesn’t belong to just one style tribe. You can wear them with a sporty look, a preppy outfit, a Mod look, smart clothes, or for a minimalist aesthetic. Part athletic, part avant-garde, part retro, part classic; it’s the ultimate versatile trainer.
Pros:
- Versatile style suitable to pair with a range of outfits, from casual to formal
- Comfortable and lightweight for all-day wear
- Does not rub when worn for long periods
- Many color options
Cons:
- Not suitable for wear on muddy terrain – better for city getaways
- Suede exterior requires special care to keep it looking fresh