Inside the Drop: How the Kicking It x Adidas Gazelle Turned Austin’s Sound Into a Sneaker

The weekend of October 11 marked a milestone for Kicking It and Adidas—the launch of the “Live Music” Gazelle, a collab grounded in Austin’s identity as the “Live Music Capital of the World." From concept to drop, this sneaker has been built to celebrate community, culture, and creative roots.

The design pulls those elements front and center: five shades of blue suede nod to the city’s blues-heritage venues like Antone’s, where icons like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Ray Charles once played. A red tongue and yellow Three-Stripes reflect the neon-lit doorway of the club, while a gold “512” lace dubrae represents Austin’s area code. Beyond style, the sneaker gives back: a portion of each sale supports scholarships for music students at East Texas University. (SoleSavy)

Kicking It launched as much more than a sneaker store—it introduced the idea of a “sneaker social,” blending premium footwear retail with community, culture, and connection. Founded in Austin in October 2018 by the tandem of Dr. Greg Grovey and Super Bowl-champion Earl Thomas, the concept quickly set a new standard for what a sneaker boutique could be. The release itself was built for experience. On drop day at the Austin location (3200 Palm Way #156, Domain NorthSide), Kicking It hosted a block-party style event—custom hat-stations, grill and tooth-gem pop-ups, a live DJ set, and more. Sneaker Freaker. The pairs were limited, priced at $120, and available both online and in-store—underscoring that this was a local boutique-led collab set to stand out. House of Heat°

Beyond commerce, Kicking It is deeply rooted in community involvement—supporting local drives, events, and sneaker culture gatherings—making it a hub for creatives, enthusiasts, and everyday sneaker fans alike. For the Kicking It community—Austin and San Antonio—this drop was about the city’s music past meeting its sneaker passions. 

The evening of the release, it was only fitting that we celebrate and amplify the message through live music itself. A huge thank you to Antone's for it's impact and legacy.

Staying Connected!

Follow us on all social platforms to stay updated with our latest releases, exclusive collaborations, and community happenings. Can’t make it in person? No problem—shop online at kickingit.com for nationwide delivery.

Come through, grab a drink, talk sneakers, and vibe with us. Kicking It isn’t just a store—it’s a culture. Welcome to the family!