Vans Old Skool vs Adidas Gazelle – Which is Right for You?

Searching for your next pair of classic kicks?

The Adidas Gazelle and Vans Old Skool both deserve spots on your shortlist.

These icons have distinct heritage styling and features – but how do you even begin deciding between them?

This comprehensive guide compares every key category including sizing, performance, durability, and aesthetics so you can determine whether the Gazelle or Old Skool better matches your style.

Vans Old Skool vs Adidas Gazelle

The main difference between Vans Old Skool and Adidas Gazelle is their silhouette – the Old Skool features a low-top construction with a side stripe, while the Gazelle has a sleek, low-profile design with a T-toe overlay.

Before comparing the specifics, here is an overview of Vans Old Skool vs Adidas Gazelle:

Feature	Vans Old Skool	Adidas Gazelle
Silhouette	Low-top	Low-top
Upper Material	Canvas	Suede/Nubuck
Outsole	Vulcanized Waffle outsole	Rubber cupsole
Colorways	Classic colorways like Black/White, Navy	Classic colorways like Red, Blue, Green
Fit	Snug fit	Roomier fit
Toe Box	Reinforced toe cap	Rounded toe box
Cushioning	Minimal cushioning	Moderate cushioning
Lining	Textile lining	Textile lining
Closure	Lace-up	Lace-up
Branding	Vans Sidestripe, Heel Patch	Trefoil logo on heel patch
Sole Construction	Vulcanized	Cupsole
Origination	Launched in 1977	Launched in 1968
Average Price	$60-$80	$80-$100
Intended Use	Skateboarding, casual wear	Casual wear, lifestyle
Target Audience	Skaters, youth culture	Casual sneaker enthusiasts
Collaborations	Supreme, Fear of God, Golf Wang	Bape, Raf Simons, Hyke

In summary, the Vans Old Skool has a slimmer canvas upper with a vulcanized sole geared towards skateboarding, while the Adidas Gazelle features a suede upper with a cupsole designed for casual lifestyle wear. The Gazelle generally costs more but offers more cushioning. Both are iconic low-top sneaker silhouettes from their respective brands.

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Pros and Cons

Pros: Vans Old Skool

• Classic skate shoe design
• Comfortable cushioned footbed
• Durable canvas or leather upper
• Versatile, suitable for casual or skatewear
• Widely available in various colors and patterns

Cons: Vans Old Skool

• Limited customization options
• May not be as trendy as some other options

Pros: Adidas Gazelle

• Sleek retro design
• Padded collar for comfort
• Sturdy construction
• Works well with various casual outfits
• Long-standing reputation in sneaker culture

Cons: Adidas Gazelle

• Less variety in colorways
• Slightly higher price point
• Limited customization options
• May lack the traction for skateboarding

Which Shoes are Good for Different Activities

Shoes for Running

Vans Old Skool

These shoes have a flat, flexible sole with minimal cushioning, which can lead to discomfort and potential injury during running. They also lack the necessary support and stability features for running.

Adidas Gazelle

While the Adidas Gazelle has a slightly more cushioned sole than the Vans Old Skool, it still lacks the necessary support and shock absorption for running. Running in these shoes could lead to foot fatigue and potential injuries.

Shoes for Walking

Vans Old Skool

The Vans Old Skool has a flat, flexible sole that can provide decent comfort for casual walking. However, the lack of arch support and cushioning may lead to foot fatigue during extended periods of walking.

Adidas Gazelle

The Adidas Gazelle has a slightly more cushioned sole than the Vans Old Skool, which can provide better shock absorption and comfort during casual walking. However, it still lacks the arch support and stability features found in dedicated walking shoes.

Shoes for Standing All Day

Vans Old Skool

The flat, flexible sole of the Vans Old Skool lacks the necessary cushioning and arch support for prolonged standing. This can lead to foot fatigue and discomfort after several hours of standing.

Adidas Gazelle

While the Adidas Gazelle has a bit more cushioning than the Vans Old Skool, it still lacks the arch support and cushioning needed for standing all day. Prolonged standing in these shoes may lead to foot and lower back pain.

Now that you have an overview of Vans Old Skool vs Adidas Gazelle differences, read on for an in-depth feature-by-feature comparison.

Key Differences at a Glance

Before diving deeper, here is an overview of how major Gazelle and Old Skool characteristics compare:

Feature	Adidas Gazelle	Vans Old Skool
Fit	True to size	Runs 0.5 size large
Ideal Foot Width	Narrow to medium	Medium to wide
Cushioning	Cloudfoam midsole & sock liner	Standard EVA foam
Grip	Durable rubber outsole	Signature waffle tread
Style	Retro runner look	Skatepunk vibe

As you can see, there are noticeable differences in styling, performance, and fit. Keep reading for more detailed breakdowns.

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Sizing & Fit Comparison

Getting an accurate, comfortable fit is crucial for all-day wear. So how does sizing compare across Gazelles and Old Skools?

True-to-Size Scaling

Gazelles fit very true-to-size overall so ordering your normal shoe size secures great out-the-box fit. But Old Skools generally run at least a half-size too large, meaning you’ll likely need to size down for proper tightness.

Ideal Foot Width

The Gazelle suits narrow-to-medium-width feet best. Its suede overlay creates structure hugging medium/narrow dimensions well. Meanwhile, the roomier Old Skool fits those with slightly wider forefeet better.

Heel Counter

The Gazelle features a rigid external heel counter for stability, while Old Skools have an internal counter and a more flexible padded collar.

So Gazelles prioritize secured support, while Old Skools focus on cushioned comfort. Choosing the option that suits your fit priorities is key.

Feature	Gazelle	Old Skool
True to Size?	Yes	Runs 0.5 size large
Ideal Foot Width	Narrow to medium	Medium to wide
Heel Counter	External, rigid	Internal, flexible padding
Toe Box Height	Lower profile	Moderately rising
Overall Volume	Medium to low	Medium to high

Cushioning & Comfort Comparison

When you’ll be pounding pavements daily, cushioning comfort is non-negotiable. So how do Iconic Gazelles and Old Skools compare?

Midsole

Gazelles feature responsive Cloudfoam midsole cushioning absorbing shocks and returning energy excellently. Meanwhile, Old Skools have a basic compressed EVA foam midsole relying on thickness for simple padding.

Insole

Underfoot, Gazelles include a plush Cloudfoam sock liner for extra step-in softness too. Old Skools just use a standard die-cut EVA foam insole glued in place with no extra lineage.

Weight

The Gazelle weighs marginally less, hovering below 1lb per shoe. Old Skools tip scales at nearly 1.25lb for a heavier feel.

So for pure cushioned comfort, Gazelles edge out Old Skools slightly thanks to premium Cloudfoam upgrades. But Old Skool purists happily accept fewer frills as part of their vintage vibe.

Feature	Gazelle	Old Skool
Midsole	Cloudfoam, excellent padding	Standard EVA, moderate
Insole	Cloudfoam, high-rebound	Basic EVA, average
Tongue & Collar Lining	Partial padding	Fully padded
Weight	< 1 lb (size 9)	Nearly 1.25 lb (size 9)
All-Day Comfort	Very high	Moderate

Traction & Grip Comparison

Sticky soles inspire confidence busting out your best moves anywhere. But who grips and flexes better – Gazelles or Old Skools?

Outsole Design

The Gazelle features a lug-patterned rubber outsole for moderate multidirectional traction. But the Old Skool’s signature waffle sole pattern ups control for serious board sports flexibility and redirection capability.

Rubber Compounds

Both utilize quality durable rubber optimized for grip. But the softer density gum rubber of the Old Skool allows better abrasion resistance for grip longevity after serious grip tape lashings.

So for tackling varied terrain and weather on streets, the Gazelle supplies sufficient traction to hold your own. But for advanced board grip and flex, the Old Skool out-maneuvers opponents easily once again.

Feature	Gazelle	Old Skool
Outsole Rubber	Durable lugged rubber	Signature gum waffle rubber
Lug Configuration	Multi-directional	Multi-directional flex grooves
Weight	Lighter density rubber	Softer density for grip
Traction Level	Moderate	Very high grip

Durability & Construction Comparison

Aside from stylish looks, true sneaker icons must withstand serious wear and tear over the years. So how long do Gazelles and Old Skools hold up?

Uppers

Both mix sturdy leather and suede strategically to manage scuffs and abrasion. The Gazelle adds supportive synthetic 3-Stripes ingrained for structure, while Old Skools utilize canvas for lighter flex but with some durability trade-off.

Outsoles

Gazelle rubber lugging holds up respectably over miles of wear. But Old Skool gum bottoms practically withstand shredding indefinitely thanks to specially formulated compounds and waffle patterning dispersing stress masterfully.

Reinforcements

Internal plastic heel counters boost rearfoot structure and longevity for both classics. But only Old Skools add protective rubber randing wrapping up the toe area enhancing ollie lifespans even further out the gate.

So if keeping pristine aesthetics as daily beaters matters most, durable Gazelles maintain the look and feel impressively thanks to premium materials. But for combatting goddamn skatepark concrete month after month, Old Skools endure famously.

Feature	Gazelle	Old Skool
Upper Material Mix	Leather/suede/synthetic	Canvas/suede/leather
Outsole Rubber	Durable lugged rubber	Signature waffle gum rubber
Reinforcements	Internal heel counter	Internal heel counter + external toe rand
Weight	25.5 oz (size 9)	26.9 oz (size 9)
Durability	High abrasion resistance	Withstands serious skate damage

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Style & Design Differences

Beyond just tech specs, style attraction helps that rocky love at first sight. So how do Gazelles versus Old Skools impress aesthetically?

Retro Styling Cues

With its serrated 3-stripes, matched leather/suede panels, and pony hair textures, the Gazelle pulls off a refined retro runner look masterfully.

The chunky puffy profile of Old Skool gets attention thanks to its iconic contrast Sidestripe accent playing brightly off the base color. Skatepunk charm contrasts the Gazelle’s reserved refinement.

Customization Potential

The Gazelle’s tonal upper keeps things balanced for complementing kits. Busier Old Skool stripes limit placement flexibility slightly when coordinating pieces.

Trendiness Over Time

While Gazelles remain appreciated, their vintage track vibe falters next to the timeless casualness of an Old Skool. Few shoes enjoy that persistent icon status decade deep like a classic Vans.

So for complimenting grown-up casual fits or just enjoying sophistication, Gazelles supply ample polish. But when youthful spirit and charm shine brightest, Old Skools spread positive vibes effortlessly yet again.

Feature	Gazelle	Old Skool
Retro Styling	Refined vintage runner edge	Signature skatepunk contrast accents
Customization	Tonal upper doesn’t limit placement	Bold stripes can restrict DIY options
Trend Over Time	Classically appreciated	Persistent icons
Overall Style	Sophisticated retro flair	Youthful irreverent charm

Customer Ratings & Reviews

Still, deciding between icons? Check out genuine customer opinions comparing Gazelles to Old Skools:

Feature	Gazelle	Old Skool
Average Rating	4.6/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	4.8/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review Highlights	“Look great with everything” “Leather looks better with wear” “Cloudfoam comfort is amazing”	“Old Skool style never gets old!” “Canvas molds perfectly to feet” “Super comfortable silhouette”
Review Lowlights	“Narrow toe box” “Runs small” “Pricey for what you get”	“Runs very large, size down!” “Not enough arch support” “Warps if wet often”

As expected, both earn strong praise thanks to premium details and charm. Gazelles excel on refined wearability while Old Skools channel a carefree youthful spirit.

Finally, let’s weigh the cost and value of these legends.

Price Comparison

As contemporary heritage models, Gazelles and Old Skools sit at similar standard price points. But small differences in advanced tech and brand cachet do skew value perception.

Here’s an overview of MSRP versus real-world discounted pricing on both models:

Model	Sample Colorways	MSRP	Sale Price
Adidas Gazelle	Cloud White/Footwear White/Gold Metallic Core Black/Cloud White/Blue	$80	$60 – $70
Vans Old Skool	Black/White <br> Parisian Night/White Pop Black/True White	$65	$40 – $55

There’s no denying Gazelles retail slightly higher given some premium details like Cloudfoam tech. Meanwhile, Van’s pricing better reflects extensive mass-market appeal.

But when considering costs per year worn thanks to quality holding up over time, the value difference narrows significantly.

Conclusion

So when choosing between Adidas’ Gazelle and Vans’ Old Skool, which legendary kick gets your vote? Here is a quick wrap-up:

Gazelles Captivate with Sophistication: Signature 3-Stripes and luxe textures channel refined retro edge for adulting in style.

Old Skools Just Get Better Over Time: From mosh pits to campus kicks, their lively skatepunk look only improves with age across the decades.

If you want reliable polish upgrading smart casual fits, break out Gazelles to add luxe texture and throwback allure.

But when channeling a carefree spirit with an owned-forever sneaker dripping iconic SoCal energy, always bet on the Old Skool legends – just be sure to size down!

Either way, two icons mean no bad choice here. Just decide your must-have style and performance needs to reveal your perfect pair.

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