Gola Shoes Review (2026): Cute, But Can You Walk in Them?

TL;DR: After testing the Gola Elan for the past month, I’d give it a 6/10 overall. It’s a cute option for someone who’s looking for a casual, fashionable sneaker, but the limited cushioning and heel slippage that led to a blister keep it from being my first choice for travel. 

I became curious about Gola after seeing the brand’s colorful retro sneakers pop up on the Free People website and influencers’ radars as a new “it” sneaker. I liked the look right away, and the renewed attention was interesting because Gola itself has been around for more than a century.

The Elan looked like the kind of cute, low-profile sneaker I’d actually want to wear, and I was curious whether it would be as comfortable as it looked. I had also seen Gola described as a slightly more supportive alternative to Adidas, which added to my interest. 

For this Gola shoes review, I tested the Elan for a month, including a 10,000-step walk, to see whether the comfort lived up to the style.

Note: I bought the Gola Elan myself, and this review isn’t sponsored.

What Are Gola Shoes?

Gola is an English footwear brand that started in 1905 and became known for sportswear in the 1960s and 1970s. Its current sneakers mix that retro influence with colorful, trend-focused designs.

My Gola Elan Review

After a month of testing, the Gola Elan feels like a sneaker with two distinct sides. It’s cute, flexible, and roomier through the forefoot than its low-profile shape suggests. My feet still felt fresh at 5,000 steps, so there is some comfort. 

But over longer wear, the limited cushioning and loose heel became harder to overlook, and the slipping and rubbing eventually left me with a blister. 

Overall, this shoe works better for me as a casual sneaker than as a main shoe for all-day walking or sightseeing.

Here’s how it performed in each of the areas I looked at.

Cushioning and Comfort

The Elan felt surprisingly flexible when I put it on, but there was clearly very little cushioning or built-in arch support. The removable stock insole also felt flimsy.

For a limited amount of time, my feet did okay with the lack of built in support. But after trying to test it as a walking shoe, the limited cushioning was much harder to ignore. 

I’m still curious to try the Elan with my own supportive inserts, but I don’t know if I would ever find these comfortable enough to travel with. 

The heel was the deciding factor for me. It slipped and rubbed from the start, then caused a water blister on my left heel by the end. The heel movement and rubbing were separate from the lack of cushioning, but both made the Elan less appealing for a long walking day.

Fit and Sizing

I tested the Windsor Wine/Off White/Coral Pink Elan in a women’s size 10 because my usual 10.5 wasn’t available. Sizing down was the right call for these shoes. 

The fit was better through the front of the shoe than I expected. In the size 10, my toes sat at the end but didn’t rub. I also had plenty of room across the forefoot, with no pressure on my bunion or pinky toes.

My foot felt secure through the front and middle of the shoe, but the heel moved as I walked.

Style and Color

The Elan looked as cute in person as I hoped. The low-profile shape felt current, the stitching was even, and the pair looked well made.

The only thing I was a little surprised with was the color. Windsor Wine looked more maroon online, but my pair was distinctly purple with a pink heel detail. I still liked it, although I would choose a more versatile color if I ordered again. 

If you’re drawn to a specific Elan color online, check it in natural light before deciding whether it works with your wardrobe. I do love how many fun colors these shoes come in! 

Traction and Travel Practicality

The gum outsole had decent grip on the outsole, which made it seem like it wouldn’t be too slippery on smooth surfaces. 

For travel overall, though, the Elan lands somewhere in the middle for me. I like the style, and the roomy toe box was a pleasant surprise, but the cushioning and heel fit keep it from being a shoe I would pack for a trip. 

With that said, I still think the Elan is a great casual shoe that I would happily wear at home, I just don’t think it’s as comfortable as people made it seem online. And I personally didn’t find it more comfortable than my Adidas. 

Gola Shoes FAQs

Are Gola Shoes Good for Walking?

The Gola Elan I tested was fine for casual wear, but I wouldn’t wear it as my main shoe for long walking days or travel. The heel slipped enough to cause a blister, and the lack of cushioning was very apparent as I walked longer in them.

Why Are Gola Shoes Popular?

Gola’s colorful, low-profile retro sneakers have started going viral as an Adidas alternative. 

I think being on the Free People website probably doesn’t hurt with adding to their popularity, as well as being mentioned a lot on social media. The retro sneaker look is also very in right now and Gola’s shoes fit that look well. 

Is Gola Made by Adidas?

No. Gola is its own English footwear brand, founded in 1905. The Adidas comparison comes from the similar retro, low-profile look, not shared ownership or manufacturing.

Where Are Gola Shoes Made?

Gola is an English brand, but its shoes aren’t all made in England. Manufacturing varies by model. The Elan is made in Indonesia.

Are Gola Shoes a Better Alternative to Adidas?

Based on my experience, no. My Adidas Handball Spezial has a roomier toe box and a more flexible upper than the Gola Elan, and it didn’t give me any blisters. It also feels cozier on my feet and is the pair I like slightly more for overall comfort.

The Gola Elan has slightly more cushioning compared to the Handball Spezial. Still, that extra cushioning wasn’t enough to make it more comfortable than my Spezials.

→ Read my review of the Adidas Handball Spezials for more info. 

Final Thoughts: Are Gola Shoes Worth It?

The Gola Elan is worth considering if its colorful retro style is what drew you in, but it isn’t the more comfortable Adidas alternative I was hoping to find. 

After a month of testing, its playful design and comfortable toe box stood out most on the positive side, while the limited cushioning and heel rubbing that gave me a blister kept it from becoming an easy favorite.

The Elan makes the most sense if style comes first and you want a colorful, low-profile sneaker for casual wear. It may also appeal to someone who doesn’t need as much cushioning or built-in arch support.

I’d give the Gola Elan a 6/10 overall. It’s a great casual shoe, but I wouldn’t pack it as my main shoe for a walking-heavy trip. 

If you’re looking for stylish sneakers that are still good to walk in, check out my guide to the best stylish walking shoes for Europe.