German Casual Sneakers

Few sneakers have had a stranger career. This one started in the late 1970s as the indoor training shoe of the West German army: white leather, grey suede over the toe and the heel, and a gum sole that did not mark the gym floor. Surplus pairs reached the flea markets, designers picked up the shape, and today it is one of the most worn low sneakers there is.

The German Casual Sneakers follow the original closely: smooth white leather, grey suede for the T across the toe, the eyestay and the heel, flat white laces and a gum sole.

The T across the toe

The suede T covers the toe and runs up both sides of the laces. On the original it was a reinforcement where the foot flexes and scuffs, and it is the detail that makes the shape recognizable at a glance.

Suede and gum

The suede is a soft grey with a short nap, stitched over the white leather with a visible seam. The sole is gum rubber with a sawtooth edge and a fine tread, made for smooth floors and city streets.

On the foot

Low and clean, it goes with chinos, jeans and tailored trousers. It is the sneaker that works with almost everything else in a workwear closet.

Technical details

• Upper: smooth leather, with suede overlays
• Overlays: suede T across the toe, eyestay and heel
• Sole: gum rubber, with a fine tread
• Laces: flat, white
• Cut: low
• Colors: white, grey and gum, in one colorway

About the colors

Measured on the product photos:

• Leather #DAD9DD: an off-white with a cool cast.
• Suede #8C8484: a soft grey.
• Sole #824D27: a honey gum.

Which size to order

Choose by your foot length. The US numbers on this sneaker stay within half a size of standard sizing, so the foot length column is the safer guide. If you have wide feet or a high instep, take one size above the one the chart gives you.

Measure your bare foot, standing, heel against the wall, from the heel to the tip of the longest toe. Compare with the foot length column.

Foot length, not shoe length. If your foot falls between two sizes, take the larger one. Feet over 27.5 cm (10.8 in) are not covered by this range.

Care

• Wipe the leather with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
• Brush the suede dry, with a soft brush, in the direction of the nap.
• Clean the gum sole with a brush and a little mild soap.
• Do not machine wash. Dry in the shade, away from heaters.
• Stuff with paper after use, so the shoe keeps its shape.