Over the past five years or so, trainer trends have become increasingly retro: Adidas Sambas, Puma Speedcats, those Adidas Japans that look like they were literally transported here from the 1960s (which they were). Slim trainers with gummy soles and classic designs, basically.
But, on a recent trip to L.A., I noticed a new cult sneaker edging its way into the street-style periphery. A retro one, still, but with a different, cleaner, slightly blockier silhouette. I’m talking about the Autry Medalist Low—an all-American trainer that’s become something of a sleeper hit in recent months. Especially, it seems, around the streets of Silver Lake, Echo Park, West Hollywood and even among the A-list Erewhon crowd. It’s probably just a matter of time before it becomes a universal favorite trainer, too.
Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images
Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images
If you’re unacquainted with this cult shoe, here’s all you need to know: Texas-based company Autry was first created in the early ’80s and very quickly became known for its classic-looking unisex Tennis sneakers, with the “Medalist” the standout model. They faded away in the late ’00s after founder Jim Autry’s death, before engineering a comeback around 2019, when the brand relaunched. Now, they’re Katie Holmes’s favourite sneaker (check out any pic of Katie Holmes in an off-duty look over the past few months, and you’ll peep the Autry Medalist Low). Other Hollywood heavyweights in its fanbase include Reese Witherspoon and Kevin Costner.
Some sneakerheads have even pointed to the Autry as an emergent Samba alt. “There’s no way you can talk about Adidas Samba alternatives without giving the Autry Medalist Low a shoutout,” wrote sneaker and streetwear writer Adam Cheung for British GQ at the end of last year, adding that “the American footwear label is definitely on the quieter side of things,” and “they give off vintage vibes without trying too hard.”
Ultimately, the sneaker is culty enough that not everyone is going to be wearing them, but classic enough to give the wearer some in-the-know points. Plus, most importantly, thanks to the minimal design and ‘80s feel, the Autry Medalist Low just generally looks cool. Especially—and Katie already knows this, as do the residents of L.A.—with a classic pair of blue jeans.
