· Official chart: Adidas size charts
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Both are Adidas models, but lasts differ. Samba OG is labeled Runs Narrow (True to size length; half up if wide feet). Gazelle is Runs Big (Size down half a size (TTS if wide feet)).
Adidas positions Samba as true to size with a regular-but-narrow fit; RunRepeat and wearer reports agree length is TTS while the toebox pinches wider feet. Stick to your usual size if narrow/average; go half up primarily for width, not length.
Adidas Gazelle typically runs slightly long versus a measured street size, so most narrow/average feet size down half. Wide feet often stay true to size because the last is still narrow through the forefoot — sizing down worsens pinch. Gazelle Indoor/Bold share the length rule; Bold changes stack height, not last length.
Use the table below as a starting point from fit offsets — then confirm with try-on or returns. Width can matter more than length between these two.
| Foot | Samba OG | Gazelle (from a fitting Samba) |
|---|---|---|
| Narrow / average | TTS length | Half down (−0.5) — Gazelle runs slightly long |
| Wide | Half up for width, not length | Stay TTS — do not stack Samba half-up plus Gazelle half-down |
| Samba OG | Gazelle | |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Runs Narrow | Runs Big |
| Advice | True to size length; half up if wide feet | Size down half a size (TTS if wide feet) |
| Width | Narrow low-volume last — common complaint | Narrow-leaning suede forefoot — wide feet should stay TTS, not size down |
| Break-in | Leather needs short break-in | Minimal — suede softens a little |
| Fit offset | +0 | -0.5 |
| Confidence | high | high |
If the left model fits at the listed size, start here in the right model (chart + fit offsets).
| If Samba OG fits | Try Gazelle | Note |
|---|---|---|
| US 7 | US 6.5 | offset -0.5 |
| US 7.5 | US 7 | offset -0.5 |
| US 8 | US 7.5 | offset -0.5 |
| US 8.5 | US 8 | offset -0.5 |
| US 9 | US 8.5 | offset -0.5 |
| US 9.5 | US 9 | offset -0.5 |
| US 10 | US 9.5 | offset -0.5 |
| US 10.5 | US 10 | offset -0.5 |
| US 11 | US 10.5 | offset -0.5 |
| US 12 | US 11.5 | offset -0.5 |
The size-bridge table is all offset −0.5: if Samba OG fits at US 10, Gazelle starts at 9.5. US 7 → 6.5 through US 12 → 11.5. The wear-box repeats that line and the reverse (+0.5 back to Samba). This is not a centimeter brand chart — it is two Adidas lasts with different length offsets: Samba +0 (TTS length, runs narrow) versus Gazelle −0.5 (runs slightly long; TTS if wide).
Do not stack the two habits. Samba’s common move is half-up for width, not length. Gazelle’s common move is half-down for length on narrow/average feet. Taking a Samba you already sized up, then applying this −0.5, can land you on Gazelle TTS by accident — fine for some wide feet, short for someone who wanted Gazelle’s length-down from a TTS Samba. Convert from the Samba size that actually fits.
Width still disagrees after the number matches. Samba’s snapshot is “narrow low-volume last”; Gazelle is “narrow-leaning suede — wide feet should stay TTS, not size down.” A Gazelle 9.5 from Samba 10 can still pinch laterally if you are wide; staying at Gazelle 10 (ignoring the −0.5) is the width exception already on the Gazelle guide. Leather Samba break-in versus minimal suede Gazelle is not a second half-size. Use the bridged number, then treat width as a separate yes/no on sizing down.
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