Customer Reviews adidas Originals Gazelle

I've been admiring various Adidas for a while, and given Zappos amazing shipping and returns I decided to give these a try. I wanted something that wasn't leather, and wasn't white. The weight of the shoe was also important since I had hoped to bring these traveling. Definitely 5 star for looks. The mesh adds a nice dimension to the surface. These are definitely lighter in weight than my standard Converse, and have moderate arch support. They aren't running shoes but are fairly comfortable. They seem a tiny bit large, but not large enough to return. Now for the bad. The tongue of the shoe is a bit long, and made out of something that feels like styrofoam. The edge of the tongue is sharp and digs into your leg. I wore these around the house for a good 30 mins plus and had two sore red indentations when I decided it was time to take them off. I was wearing the "no-show" or low socks, but unless I was wearing regular full-length socks I would have gotten the same result. I wanted to wear these with shorts, maybe a dress so the taller socks are not an option. On a different site someone mentioned that the tongue softens up, but I'm not sure I'm willing to gamble $80 on that.

This is the long and short of the Adidas Original Gazelle: They run exactly one full size larger than your normal shoe size (so go down one full size from your normal shoe size). I wear a size 9 in shoes and boots (occasionally an 8.5 in sneakers) and I bought a size 8 which fits perfectly. If you don't wear socks (or wear a thin sport sock) you will still have plenty of comfortable room. The shoe has some arch support and the body of the sneaker is nice. They're old-school. I got the black and white with gold lettering and they look really great. The only 'con' here (and it's a biggie) is the tongue of the sneaker. Other reviewers have mentioned it but it's possibly a deal-breaker for some of you. It's uncomfortably long and hits the front of foot. Worst of all it is made out of a strange recycled styrofoam techie material that's very stiff and cheap. It's as if your Starbucks coffee covers were recycled to use for this sneaker. It's bizarre and so much so that I thought my sneakers might be fakes! I had to get on this website and read reviews in order to make sure these were the real deal. Definitely order these at Zappos so you can do the easy return if you don't like weird techno-tongues messing with your look. I'm keeping mine and hoping that the shoe tongue miraculously softens and transforms into leather. Lastly, if you have very delicate, narrow feet, this sneaker could be a problem for you. Again, Zappos is the place to order them because their customer service and returns are so quick and painless.

I understand what everyone was saying about the tongue of sneaker. It can be annoying & I can see how one might think it’s painful. The sneakers are very cute & very ol skool so it doesn’t bother me.

For women: 1.5 size too big (am an 8 but need a 7.5). Other than that, they look good and have good arch support, uncommon for this type sneaker.

I ordered half size down. Need to go down another half size. Love the shoes! Will reorder when my needed size is back in stock.

These are cute and definitely more comfortable than I thought they'd be. Great arch support for this type of shoe.

Very comfortable. Extra arch support has been added to the insole so these are the most comfortable sneakers I've worn in awhile. They run large though, so go down at least 1/2 size.

Nice arch support on a great pair of retro shoes!

I just love these! I bought the black in a women's size 7.5, based on how they fit both of my daughters. I normally wear a women's size 8, and knew that these ran a little long. The 7.5 is a perfect fit for my size 8 foot. They're super cute and stylish.

I took others’ advice and ordered a half size smaller than usual and they fit great. I am flat footed and was looking for a retro shoe with some support. They are better than others I’ve tried on. Sure, the tongue is long and stiff but after some time, you get used to it. It gets more flexible.

I bought this item with tremendous excitement as I've wanted an addidas running shoe for a long time. I have worn this 5-6 times and found it 1 full size larger than my own which surprises me. I've added a thick sole, yet you know when a shoe doesn't fit :-( My suggestion is order your size and a size smaller in this particular style before settling with the pair you want. I'm stuck with mine.

I LOVE these shoes!!! Many reviews said they run big and to order 1/2 to 1 size smaller so I ordered 1/2 a size smaller to be safe and they fit perfectly! My new favorites!

I’m pretty much in love with these shoes. Reviews suggested going half to a whole size smaller so I did half size smaller and they fit perfect!

This is my second pair...just can’t live without them.

I absolutely love these. I had a pair in the late 90s (for indoor soccer play though) and I'm feeling wonderfully nostalgic, now wearing them for fun and fashion. Worried about sizing based on reviews and the fact that Adidas has really been missing the mark in consistently sizing shoes lately (Boosts, NMD_R1s sized very differently), I ordered a full size down and half size down since Zappos has an awesome return policy. I was ultimately most comfortable in the half size down. Plus, since arch support is moderate, there's enough room now to add an insert for long days of standing/walking.

Had to reorder as the shoe runs very big (normally I am 7.5 and 6.5 fit fine).. Otherwise great, stylish, comfortable! Dreamed of having these for so long.. So finally!

Really cute, but run about 1/2 size big...

I am reliably a size 8.5. Need an 8. Nice material, look and feel otherwise.

They look Great!

Have been wanting these since high school a gazillion years ago! Happy to finally have them. #nevertoolate

Sizing on these shoes runs a full size bigger; you will likely need to order one size down than your normal size. I typically wear a women's size 8 but with this shoe/style, it was a size 7 that fit right. I read in a few reviews to try sizing down a full size but I was skeptical. Boy, they were spot on! Sizing down only a half size made the arch support fit in a place on my foot that was actually painful, although the rest of the shoe wasn't noticeably big. Seems like the differences in the sizes are somewhat subtle but when you get the correct one, the arch support is exactly right.

Shoes are comfortable and stylish, they go with a lot of my outfits even my dresses I want different colors

These run a little large, and were not the black I expected, but more a gray, called 'utility black.

Finally! I have wanted Gazelles since they were popular in the early 90s but since I wear a ladies 5/5.5 and they only came in men’s sizes back then, I was out of luck. The youth sizes are oddly only available in the UK. These size 5 fit me! The heel is a little wide and I have a narrow Achilles but some heel grips will fix that right up. I don’t have a problem with the tongue. It’s not leather, it’s thin foam (and designed to look like a soccer shin guard) but it doesn’t bother my ankle at all as others have said. It all depends on the exact anatomy of your foot.

Super cute and wanted to like them but they were a bit too small. I'm normally a size 8.5, sometimes a 9, and the 7.5 was too small, so I'd say they run a half size small. Also, the tongue was a bit pinchy. Maybe would have been better in a size up.