The Adidas BW Army Lux is returning to the market as a premium sneaker, featuring a high-quality design linked to the storied German Army Trainer.

The Adidas BW Army Lux is set to make a notable return to the sneaker market, reintroducing a model intrinsically linked to the history of the German Army Trainer. This revival features a high-quality construction, characterized by a cracked leather and suede upper, available in two initial colorways: all-black and tonal white. Signature elements include a gum outsole and a natural leather sockliner, solidifying the sneaker’s premium aesthetic.

The history of the German Army Trainer, commonly referred to as the “GAT,” remains somewhat murky. An Adidas spokesperson, speaking to the Wall Street Journal, outlined that the company had been manufacturing what was known as the BW-Sport for the West German Army during the 1980s and 1990s. Meanwhile, the Bundeswehr History Museum in Dresden has records attributing the production of the GAT to Puma. However, Puma indicates it lacks documentation to validate such claims. This conflicting information reflects the ongoing debate surrounding the true origins of the sneaker.

Following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the unification of Germany, surplus GATs transitioned into the civilian market, leading to widespread popularity among sneaker enthusiasts. The influence of these trainers is particularly notable in the fashion industry, with designer Maison Margiela famously replicating the GAT for its spring 1999 runway show, utilizing surplus GATs.

The resurgence of the BW Army model aligns with a broader trend in the sneaker landscape, marked recently by the popularity of Adidas’ Samba, which advocates for flatter, more understated sneaker designs. Earlier this year, the Instagram-based sneaker publication Hartcopy selected the BW Army model as the star for its inaugural collaboration with Adidas.

Currently, the BW Army Lux “Black” and “White” variants have begun to appear at select retailers, including Extra Butter, which already offers both colorways for sale. Additional retailers have confirmed an official release date of April 1, with a wider launch through Adidas expected to follow shortly thereafter. The retail price for these revived sneakers is set at $120.

Source: Noah Wire Services