Most iconic sneaker designs stem from a function-first mentality, from Nike’s Waffle Trainer to the Timberland boot. However, adidas’ BW Army shoes were never intended to be civilian shoes in the first place.
Designed as a military training shoe for the West German army in the 1970s (BW stands for “Bundeswehr,” or Germany’s armed forces), the BW Army eventually made its way to civilian wear. Germany was reunified in 1989 and the military was downsized. As such, their clothing and shoes flooded the market, even catching the attention of one Martin Margiela, who released an all-white interpretation as part of a fashion show in 1999, and the rest is history.
For its second go at the BW Army, Kith is teaming up once again with adidas for a four-pack of colorways perfect for springtime.
No Stripes, No Problem
Part of what’s always made the BW Army so compelling is what it doesn’t have. No Three Stripes running down the side or Trefoil plastered on the toe. Just a clean leather upper, a suede overlay where the stripes would normally go, and a gum sole stamped with “BW-Sport 255” in place of a logo.
In total, adidas made roughly 500,000 pairs for German troops, and the design was entirely utilitarian with soft leather for comfort, grey suede on the toe for durability during indoor training. That backstory is a big part of why Ronnie Fieg and the Kith team keep coming back to it. In a landscape saturated with loud collaborative footwear, the BW Army is almost subversive in its restraint. This Spring 2026 iteration marks the first time Kith has gone solo on the BW Army folloing a Clarks co-collab in 2024.
Quiet Season
The four BW Army colorways — Raw Desert & Cardboard (tan), Tent Green & Aero Green, Wonder Orchid & Magic Mauve, and Aurora Coffee & Shadow Brown — are distinctly seasonal for springtime. Each pair leads with a smooth leather upper, layered with tonal suede and nubuck overlays that echo the original’s functional construction while bumping the material quality like other reissues have done. Premium leather footbeds replace the synthetics of earlier versions.
Meanwhile, white laces come standard, with additional lace options included. All four pairs receive a gum rubber outsole to give these a more classic feel. It’s stamped with “BW-Sport 255.”
For co-branding, the adidas Trefoil lands on one tongue, Kith’s logomark on the other, with additional co-branding on the insole and heels. The new BW Army’s also drop alongside collaborative pairs of the Samba and Japan in Evergreen colorways.
Spec Sheet
Model: Kith Classics for adidas Originals BW Army — Spring 2026
Colorways: Raw Desert & Cardboard (AAKH6549), Tent Green & Aero Green (AAKH6551), Wonder Orchid & Magic Mauve (AAKH6553), Aurora Coffee & Shadow Brown (AAKK2795)
Upper: Smooth leather with tonal suede and nubuck overlays
Footbed: Premium leather
Lacing: Flat white laces (additional lace options included)
Sole: Gum rubber outsole stamped “BW-Sport 255”
Branding: adidas Trefoil on one tongue, Kith logomark on the other; co-branding on insole and heels
Edition: Limited
Price: $120
Pricing & Availability
The Kith Classics for adidas Originals Spring 2026 collection is available now at $120 per pair. Available in limited quantities through the Kith Monday Program in-store, online, and via the Kith App across New York, London, Paris, and Tokyo timezones.
Recap
Kith x Adidas BW Army 2026 Spring Pack
Kith and adidas dropped a four-colorway run of the BW Army, with variants inspired by the spring, equipped with gum outsoles and nubuck-suede uppers.
