Designer footwear manufacturers and male fashion advisor-nistas hate us. Ivan reveals how you can become fashionable with this one weird item.
That one weird item is Sportschuhe Bw Hallenschuhe weiß, AKA the GAT. These are faithful reproductions of the German Athletic Trainers produced for the Bundeswehr in the 80s and 90s.
They were designed by either Puma or Adidas, depending on who you ask. Due to the animosity, treachery, and deceit sowed by the deep, bubbling, fraternal hatred between Adi Dassler’s Adidas and brother Rudolf Dassler’s Puma, we’ll probably never know for sure.
Either way, these German-engineered shoes are among the Bundeswehr’s darkest surplus secrets. Although sometimes snubbed by the men and women of the Bundeswehr, the trainers follow a long German tradition of surprisingly chic military attire.
The GAT features a preformed removable and washable insole, lightweight adjustable tongue, secure flat laces, and double-stitched abrasion-resistant suede toe cap. The sole is designed to prevent ankle roll and is non-marking. The exterior is constructed of a smooth, sturdy, probably-cowhide material with a padded reinforced heel cap. Inside you’ll find soft, cozy padding.
It’s basically the Air Jordan (Luft Jerry?) of the Federal German Army. Fashionably militant, and militantly fashionable. What’s not to like?
Sizing
GATs should be true to size.