Sambas out, Margiela In – celebs are backing this summer’s breakout trainer
...and they're in shops now
Maison Margiela’s latest footwear release, the Sprinter, offers a thoughtful reinterpretation of a classic runner – reframing one of sport’s most iconic silhouettes in a hand-finished, style-forward rework.
Nodding to Nike’s 1972 “Moon Shoe” – a handmade prototype created by co-founder Bill Bowerman using a waffle iron to mould the now-famous sole – the Sprinter takes cues from one of the earliest innovations in running footwear.
Only 12 pairs of the “Moon Shoe” were ever made – hand-crafted and distributed to runners at the 1972 Olympic Trials. In 2019, one pair raised over $400,000 at Sotheby’s.
Maison Margiela Sprinters
Rather than replicate the past, Margiela reimagines it.
The Sprinter is built from drill cotton, hairy suede and calfskin. As for the midsole, it chucks that out entirely – offering only a studded gum outsole between foot and pavement.
Each pair is hand-treated, embracing slight irregularities in finish to give the look of a vintage piece reissued from the archives.
Though the Sprinter had been floating around in limited circles, it’s now seeing a wider release. What was once a hard-to-find, coveted item is now appearing online and in-store – still exclusive in feel but finally within reach.
The design lands at a moment when slim-profile trainers are firmly back in the spotlight. As Esquire recently noted, Seventies-inspired silhouettes have become a defining shape in modern menswear – a clean, understated antidote to the era of oversized ‘Dad’ shoe.
Margiela’s take stands apart with its use of luxury materials and subtle historical references.
Margiela’s position as a celeb IYKYK brand adds some stardust to its cultural relevance. The label has long attracted boldface names including Brad Pitt, Harry Styles and Idris Elba – men drawn to its balance of eccentricity and elegance.
The Sprinter fits alongside icons like the adidas SL 72 or Puma Speedcat but its message is more nuanced. The signature four white stitches at the heel signal the brand quietly.
Colourways range from minimalist neutrals to more playful tones like lemon and kiwi – with more expected to come later in the season.
This story originally appeared on Esquire UK
