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Adidas’s New “It” Sneaker Arrives with 50 Years of Military Heritage

Plus, an affordable price tag.

Close-up of a tan leather sneaker with white laces against a blue background.Kith
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By Jack Seemer

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Devised for West German forces in the 1970s, the BW Army doesn’t look like other Adidas shoes.

Maybe that’s why it spent half a century overshadowed by the Samba, Superstar and countless other designs.

No longer: its minimalist look, due in part to the absence of Adidas’s iconic three-stripe motif, has slowly but surely started to turn heads.

And now it headlines a new primetime collection with Kith, confirming “it” sneaker status for the foreseeable future.

Pair of dark brown suede sneakers with white laces and translucent gum soles on a wooden stool.
The BW Army has been on the rise for months, but Kith’s four-color rendition for spring and summer all but confirms “it” sneaker status.
Kith

Step into the limelight

Like existing variants, including a Hartcopy collaboration earlier this year, Kith’s take on the BW Army is an exercise in restraint.

Pair of light green and olive Adidas sneakers with white laces on a wooden bench next to a cream cloth.
Like previous iterations, the limited-edition variants showcase restraint rather than flashy flourishes.
Kith

From afar, it looks like your typical GAT (German Army Trainer) made by Maison Margiela and others.

Translation: it relies less on flashy flourishes to stand out, instead showcasing a quiet confidence through its subtle interplay of materials.

Close-up of tan leather and suede sneaker with white laces and textured rubber sole.
A simple suede overlay replaces the three-stripe motif found on most retro Adidas shoes.
Kith
Light brown rubber shoe sole with circular and triangular tread patterns and "BW-Sport 255" text.
The text on the sole reads “BW-Sport 255” instead of the Adidas logotype.
Kith

The Adidas Originals x Kith BW Army comes in four colors, ranging from light tan to deep burgundy, each one consisting of a smooth-leather base with tonal suede overlays.

Five pairs of Adidas sneakers in brown, pink, green, and dark purple hanging by laces on a wooden wall rack with boxing gloves and jump ropes.
The shoe comes in four base colors, each with tonal overlays.
Kith

That said, Kith didn’t waste a clean canvas to inject a bit of personality.

Each pair comes cobranded details on both the tongue and heel; one shoe features the classic Adidas Trefoil, while the other carries Kith’s logomark.

Close-up of a brown suede sneaker tongue with white laces and a black label featuring the KITH logo and text.
The tongue and heel showcase cobranded details.
Kith
Brown Adidas sneaker with white laces and Kith logo on the tongue, placed on a brown leather surface with jump rope handles.
The shoe looks much luxe than its $120 price tag suggests.
Kith

Availability and pricing

Available from April 20, the Adidas Originals x Kith BW Army arrives as a limited-edition sneaker with demand expected to far outweigh supply.

Clout aside, it’s budget-friendly $120 price tag only adds to the appeal.

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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