The GAT (German Army Trainers)

In our quest to offer the ultimate classics, we would be remiss not to try our hand at one of the most iconic silhouettes in sneaker history - The Germany Army Trainer or GAT. Revived in the 70s by Belgian designer Margiela, the orgins of the GAT aren't entirely clear and covers ground including feuding brothers ( in Adidas and Puma) and a lucrative contract for a new type of sneaker for the West German Army or Bundeswehr. The Archibald GAT is a wonderful representation of what we do. Take something simple with an iconic history and ask the most skilled artisans to make it from the best materials... and then sell it for an incredibly disruptive price. The GAT upper has been meticulously handcut and stitched by master shoemakers in Corridonia, Italy using some of the finest purpose-tested Italian calfskin and vegetable-tanned suedes before being stitched to a uniquely flexible and comfortable Lactae Hevea sole using a strobel (or "sacchetto") construction. Uncompromising, excellence...