Adidas Gazelle Charcoal / Putty Mauve DFB2235

Reviewer Hand

I bought these specifically for cycling with old fashioned toe clips, because I'm weird and I like to know about history and experience things. They were advertised as 10.5US, they are 44eu instead of 45 eu - meaning they "run small", and it's a small 44. I still fit in them, even if they are a tad tight and have been using them with an old peugeot PH11 with the original triangular pedals from the mid 1980's - that style inspired the Look system of "clipless" pedals famously introduced by Greg Lamond in the famous tour pursuit of the badger. Mostly, I just want to pursue coffee and sunshine.

I think these might be the best shoes you can currently buy for use with cycling toe-clips, without spending a fortune or getting shoes that are 20 years old and falling apart. If you're more accustomed to swing out clipless systems such as Look, CrankBros, or Spd, you will recognize immediately that toe clips are far inferior - it took me a few miles to stop yanking my foot out of the back as I tried to sweep through the bottom of my pedal stroke, and it's hard to remember to loosen the strap when coming to a stop. These Puma shoes are very similar to the old sidi shoes that used to be common in cycling, except there's really no stiffness at the end of the toes, and I could tell that I would get a blister on my big toe as a result, so I must meditate on rule 5 of the Velominati prior to using them. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Puma took this shoe design from an old cycling shoe, the laces are shifted to the outside of the shoe and are easy to keep away from the cranks, while the foot bottom is as stiff as any modern cycling shoe. I think it would be hell to walk around in and I really can't comment on their utility as driving shoes.

The ferrari symbol is a regrettable attribute, as my place in society (AKA not a billionaire) would dictate that anyone wearing such driving shoes while tooling around in their ferrari not only has more money than sense, but likely has additional baggage that (fingers crossed) allows me to feel morally superior; which would make up for being hugely outclassed, financially. It's a kind of 99%'ers sour grapes, you know? If you are this person, please feel free to leave me validating comments about the woes in your otherwise blessed life. Mo-money mo problems?

Reviewer Dennis L Miller

First shoes I bought specifically for skating…they have held up for the small amount of times I have skated in them…

Reviewer Janet Cochrane

some canvas and a big slab of rubber for the sole. Mostly comfortable, but nothing great. No arch support. It's a lot like walking barefoot, which is why I like them. Be sure to order a size smaller; I wear 12's in most all shoes but had to go with 11's here.

Reviewer Chip Mitchell

I hadn't worn a pair of Chuck Taylor's for over 40 years and bought them for old times sake. Wow! They handle an orthotic very well and are surprisingly comfortable. They've become my shoe of choice and I wear them most of the time now. It's also great to be able to throw them in the wash with the clothes.

Reviewer Brentano

I will first say that I love the look of these shoes! The worn in look is amazing and very well designed - giving these shoes a very lived in kind of feel.

The shoes look sharp but, this is where the kudos end. The shoes are indeed leather and did take some time to get used to and actually wear in. Once I had stretched them, they were more comfortable than their initial outings but, they are extremely narrow on my feet and have a slight sole - making them not the most comfortable shoes in the world. The length, shoe sizing is spot on at a 10 but, the narrowness definitely takes away from the overall feel of them. I guess it’s true when they say that amazing fashion will have to hurt sometimes.

I would recommend on the look alone and not the feel.

Reviewer Thunderluis

I love these shoes, I wear a size 10-10&1/2 normally and these are narrow so I got the 11&1/2 size, which fits fine with plenty of toe room!

Reviewer Tyrell C Shoemaker

Excellent shoe, comfortable and good looking.

Reviewer Carolyn J Garon

What can I say? Classic Chucks at a VERY good price. Double the price in the shoe store for the same pair of shoes.

Reviewer j david Neher

This shoe looks fantastic and my husband says it feels great!

Reviewer Heather Erwin

I put fits as expected because the other options didnt make sense to the problem. They have nice arch support but are too tight around the center of the foot. The toes and heal is a bit loose however. Not worth the price. I bought a 50$ pair of sketchers that were much better than these. Not satisfied.