Thanks to their minimalist style and inherent function, the German Army Trainers (GATs) made by Adidas in the 1970s have been copied dozens of times by modern-day streetwear and designer brands. Well, the footwear giant has decided to put its own hat — er, shoe — in the ring once again with its own rendition, featuring a slight revamp on the classic.
What are GATs?
Used as indoor training shoes by the West German military in the ‘70s, these white-labeled sneakers from Adidas and tangential brand Puma — even though Adidas made a majority of them — were eventually brought to the public’s attention in 1989. At that time, the Cold War had ended and Germany was reunified. This resulted in a plethora of the shoes flooding the market, landing at many army surplus stores.
They were affordable, sneaky stylish, and simple enough to become a blank canvas for future styles. When designer Martin Margiela got a hold of these GATs in 1999, he rebranded them with his own high-fashion style, dubbing them the Replica sneaker. Replicas have inspired other fashion brands to do the same, while also promulgating the less-is-more attitude. However, this current release from Adidas represents a full-circle moment as they put their own elevated spin on the shoe they invented.
Quiet Luxury for a Fraction of the Price
This 2025 reimagining isn’t the first time Adidas has come out with its own BW Army Shoes. In 2017, it reintroduced the sneakers, but they weren’t quite as premium as the ones they just dropped. Available in Cloud White and Core Black, the newest rendition removes almost all branding, just like the original GATs, save for the luxurious embossing on the tongue.
Another nod to the originals is the slightly distressed, cracked leather which also gives it a premium touch. It’s accented with both suede and smooth leather overlays throughout the upper, with suede on the T-toe cap.
Short for Bundeswehr, which is the German Federal Defense Force, the BW Army Shoes has always had a rubber gum outsole — brought back by Adidas for this new version as well. Meanwhile, the sockliner is given a tan leather as a subtle way to achieve that quiet luxury aesthetic.
Best of all, these BW Army Shoes are much more affordable than they look. At $120, they’re a fraction of the price of the Maison Margiela Replicas available for sale.
Spec Sheet
Uppers: Premium leather
Lining: Leather
Outsole: Rubber
Lacing: Standard lacing system
Price: $120
Pricing & Availability
At $120, the BW Army Shoes are affordable enough for you to grab one of each. Head over to Adidas’ website where they’re currently available. However, they’re going quickly, so hurry if you’re looking to purchase one yourself.
Recap
Adidas BW Army Shoes
Adidas brings back its original BW Army Shoes, but with a premium yet affordable take on the luxurious GATs.
