Epaulet x Styleforum Sport Trainer

Massdrop has teamed up with Epaulet to offer the New York-based clothier’s popular Sport Trainers in three colorways you’ll only find here, as curated and voted upon by members of Styleforum. Based on the cultishly popular German Army Trainers, these minimalist sneakers feature a full-grain leather upper, which is made in Portugal of calfskin sourced from the renowned Gruppo Mastrotto tannery in Italy. The rubber gum outsole, a mainstay of the original GAT, is made in Germany. And for added comfort, the interior is lined with kidskin glove leather and features a removable insole.

The military has long been a source of inspiration for the fashion community. Aviator sunglasses, combat boots, bomber jackets, camouflage—all are unmistakably rooted in military apparel. But there are other items with military origins that are so simple in their design as to seem rootless. Among these is the German Army Trainer. Designed in the 1970s for soldiers performing indoor training exercises, the GAT features a decidedly utilitarian aesthetic that’s been reproduced by shoemakers around the world. Virtually free of ornamentation and branding, the shoes consist of little more than leather, suede, and rubber. “Oh!” Manolo Blahnik is quoted as saying of the shoes. “How pretty they are!”

“Clothing so thought-through and streamlined,” The New York Times says of Epaulet, “that it inspire[s] fretting over the tiniest of details.” Indeed, this small-batch boutique has earned its stripes sourcing meticulously crafted clothing from independent designers and small factories in North America and Europe. Launched in 2008 by husband-wife team Michael Kuhle and Adele Berne, both former buyers for big-name clothing retailers, Epaulet prides itself on working directly with the manufacturer. The result: carefully curated clothing at highly competitive prices.