Adidas has softened one of its more utilitarian sneakers with two new suede colourways built around muted tones.
The BW Army now comes in Cinder and Halo Blush, with both pairs sitting on gum soles and priced at $120 in the US. Adidas currently lists the two finishes on its website, giving the low-profile sneaker a more refined look without changing its simple shape.
This time, the material change does much of the work. Suede replaces the usual smooth-leather base across the upper, a switch that suits the muted colour palette particularly well (via Gear Patrol).
Cinder is the darker option, covering the shoe in a deep grey-brown shade with burgundy laces adding some contrast. Halo Blush takes the opposite approach with a pale beige-pink finish and tonal laces, creating a much lighter look.
Adidas has also kept the sides free from its usual Three Stripes, allowing the suede and slim shape to do most of the work. Even the outsole avoids prominent Adidas branding, continuing the stripped-back approach that has helped define the BW Army’s look.
If you look at the design, it is easy to see how the BW Army started life as a military training shoe. It traces its roots to sneakers supplied to the West German military during the 1970s and 1980s, long before German Army Trainer-style shoes became a regular part of fashion.
Both Cinder and Halo Blush are available now through Adidas in the US for $120. For a sneaker with such functional beginnings, the new suede versions show how easily the BW Army can move into something more polished without losing the simplicity behind the original design.