I’ve never been much of a trainer girl. I liked my Converse but I just didn’t really pay much attention to other models. However getting older I’m starting to appreciate a more comfortable shoe – and trainers have replaced my flimsy sandals and flat shoes that pinched my toes.
I’m a huge fan of the Adidas Gazelle and Spezial models. They’re both made of suede which is really soft and supple, giving the feeling of the shoe moulding to your foot rather than your foot having to fit the shoe. They also come in some really fun and eye catching colourways, which works for me as I mainly wear black and other neutral clothing.
Although they’re both made of suede and come in bright colours, there are some slight differences between the Gazelles and the Spezials. Here’s my opinion on how they differ.
The Adidas Gazelle shoe has a suede upper and a gum sole that’s slightly transparent. Although they are mostly suede, you can get some leather versions. The toe box is rounder than the Spezials, and the shoe has a narrower and lower silhouette. I went against the grain and took my normal size in these shoes and they fit fine. These shoes have minimal arch support and are quite flat.
One of the main differences I found, aside from the sole, toe box and support, was the tongue. The Spezials have a suede tongue, and the tongues on the Gazelles are made of plastic. It took a while for the tongue to soften on the Gazelles, in the beginning it would dig into my ankles.
The colour in the photos is Blue Fusion and I think it’s a nice splash of colour without being too out there.
The Adidas Spezials also have a suede upper, but the gum sole is opaque. There are also some designs with a darker gum sole. They run a bit wider than the Gazelles, and have more arch and heel support so they’re not completely flat. I wear the same size in the Spezials and Gazelles as I find the difference in width minimal.
I think one of the biggest differences – and why I favour the Spezials slightly – is the suede tongue. I find the shoes much more comfortable out of the box because the tongue doesn’t dig into my ankle.
The Spezials also have a slightly more angular toe box, and a wider silhouette overall. My colourway is in Wonder Silver / Off White.
In the end, I think both models are beautiful shoes. It all depends on how much support you want, and whether the plastic tongue on the Gazelles bothers you. I will say, I think the Gazelles have more variety in terms of colourway but the Spezials are more comfortable from the outset for me.
Have you tried these models? Which one did you prefer?
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