Normcore Goes Hardcore: Adidas Revamps Iconic Stan Smith Tennie With GTX

The basic white leather sneaker that put adidas on the tennis shoe map beefs up for winter with GORE-TEX tech. But … why?

For nearly half a century, the adidas Stan Smith sneaker has been a blockbuster for the brand. Low-cut with an unadorned white leather upper — not even adidas’ trademark three stripes — the Stan Smith has been listed among the top five greatest tennis shoes of all time.

In fact, despite selling tens of millions of pairs since its launch in 1971, the shoe has undergone very few stylistic changes.

So it came as something of a surprise when the brand recently announced a new version of this unassuming sneaker that sports GORE-TEX INFINIUM THERMIUM.

Part of GORE-TEX’s comfort ahead of performance offerings, INFINIUM THERMIUM provides a thin membrane over only the toes. Gore designed it to add extra warmth where needed without disrupting a shoe’s style or aesthetic.

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“Blending the latest in cold-weather innovation with one of the world’s most beloved white leather sneakers, adidas Originals and GORE-TEX INFINIUM THERMIUM create the perfect style-conscious response to the cold weather conditions of winter,” the German brand said in a press release.

But while this will certainly add some welcomed warmth to cold toes, adidas didn’t change anything else. That means these basic white kicks still won’t repel snow or water or provide any better traction on slick surfaces than the shoes Stan Smith first wore back in the ’70s.

So don’t throw out your burly winter boots just yet. The Stan Smith x GORE-TEX INFINIUM THERMIUM sneakers launched October 5 for those looking to keep the normcore look while gaining a little warmth.