Maison Margiela GAT: Standard vs. Paint Splatter
In the world of high-end sneakers, there is one that has managed to stand the test of time: the Maison Margiela GAT. Also known as the Maison Margiela Replica. As a shoe that advertises it is in fact a replica of a different sneaker, this might seem unfair but the high build quality, solid comfort, and significant value retention are undeniable.
However, as anyone who has tried to buy one of these sneakers knows, there is a question every asks. Do I go for the standard model, or do I go for the Maison Margiela-exclusive “paint splatter” model.
In this article, we are going to look at the difference between the standard model and the paint splatter. The goal is to help you understand which is right for you. With that out of the way, let’s dive into the comparison.
Price
The price increase for the Maison Margiela GATs has been truly astonishing. When I took a first draft at this article, the price difference between these two models was large. On a percentage basis around 25%.
However, as a side effect of their prices getting higher than Snoop, the differential between the two has shrunken significantly. At time of writing, December 2024, the base model Maison Margiela GAT is priced at $750. The brighter paint splatter edition is up to $820. This change represents a $70 difference, or less than a 10% price increase.
However, that doesn’t tell the whole story. While Maison Margiela has skyrocketed the MSRP, many retailers have not. In fact, this Black Friday, I was able to find retailers carrying the standard model for 30% off an MSRP of $540. Of course, your mileage may vary with sizing, but the deals are out there.
The Paint Splatter colorway, carried by far fewer retailers, is much harder to find on a significant discount. This means you can expect to pay much more for the Paint Splatter model unless you are really lucky.
If you do prefer the bold colored version, there is some good news on the pre-owned side. The pre-owned market doesn’t seem to differentiate between the two styles all that much. Condition and size matter much more.
Design
OK, this might be obvious. But it is worth noting the differences in design between the two Maison Margia GAT models – the standard and the Paint Splatter.
Of course, the Paint Splatter has, well, paint splatters all over it. The color and design will change based on the year yours was made. Recent models tend to feature bright bold colors that are applied fairly thick. Older versions will have more muted colors – even monotone blues or reds – and are often applied very lightly. The paint is oil based, so if the sneaker gets wet it won’t all immediately come off.
The changes are not limited to just the paint. Unlike the standard model that features contrasting grey on the toe box, eyelets, heel, toe panel, and center support panel, the Maison Margiela Paint Splatter only has a contrasting panel on the toe box. Even then, the suede is much closer in color to the rest of the sneaker. This design lets the paint splatter pop more, though I would personally prefer if they used the colors of the standard model.
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Further, the paint splatter model uses a darker outsole and leather lining than the standard. The difference is not huge. If they were not next to one another you might not notice. However, it is definitely there.
The last design change of note is the laces. The laces for the paint model come pre-laced to ensure the paint splatter lines up. This also limits you to a bar-laced style. I prefer a standard lacing pattern, but others may disagree.
Materials
Believe it or not, the materials on the Maison Margiela GAT changes quite a bit if you select a Paint Splatter.
The standard GAT is made of white nappa leather and grey suede panels. While the original BW sneaker didn’t use materials of quite the same standard, they were also leather and suede. If you want something that matches the original, just higher quality, this is the pair to go for.
The Paint Splatter GATs actually change both the leather and the suede to a nubuck. Nubuck, if you’re not familiar, is standard leather that has been lightly sanded. It’s a bit less durable than normal leather, and a bit more durable than suede. One thing you need to be aware of is that white nubuck will stain like white suede. If you want your pair to stay looking somewhat clean, you either need to wear these exclusively on bright sunny days, or to buy the standard pair.
You should also know that the laces are slightly different as well. Where the standard pair has a light waxing to the laces, the Paint Splatter does not. My guess is that this is to make sure the paint stays applied to the laces, but it makes them feel a bit less premium in hand.
Sizing
One difference between the standard Maison Margiela GAT and the Paint Splatter version that might surprise you is sizing. Despite the length and width of the outsoles being identical, the Paint Splatter version fits a half size smaller. If I was the only person to notice this, I would have chalked it up to manufacturing variances, but this is consistent across reviews.
Please take this with a grain of salt as I can’t prove this, but from what I can tell the nubuck leather used on the Paint Splatter simply has less give. The overall volume of the two sneakers are likely identical as they are built on the same last, but the standard model can stretch in tight places and give in areas of the sneaker that are loose. In other words, they can shape to your foot.
The nubuck pair doesn’t give. If it’s too tight in one area it’ll stay tight and if it’s too loose it’ll stay loose.
I would strongly encourage anyone who is looking to spend this amount of money on a pair of sneakers to try them on before you buy. Not only do they run a bit short in general, it’s very likely that the Paint Splatter model simply won’t fit some guys no matter which size you pick.
Attention
Here is one that you’ve probably already considered, but just in case you have not, the attention that you receive is going to be very different between these two shoes. The standard Maison Margiela GATs can fade into the background. Unless someone happens to be laying on the ground when you walk by, it’s nearly impossible to tell the difference between these, the Oliver Cabel options for half the price, or the Adidas version for a quarter of the price.
The Paint Splatter model can’t be any different. Every single time I have worn these I’ve been stopped by friends or even random people on the street to comment on them. While it is generally positive, or at least bemusement, you’re not going to quietly go about your day wearing a pair of paint splattered GATs. Further, if you live in an area where you might be concerned about sneaker theft, everyone is going to know you have nearly $1,000 on your feet.
I won’t tell you which is better for you, but it is definitely a difference that you should know about.
Wrap Up
Ultimately, assuming you can swallow the price, there isn’t a bad choice between the two Maison Margiela GAT models.
The standard white and grey GAT offers classic style using high quality materials. You’ll be able to enjoy the sneaker in more environments, without worrying as much about weather or drawing too much attention.
The Paint Spatter GAT offers a way to stand out, with a unique take on the GAT canvas (literally). The Paint Splatter will add color to your outfit and allows designers to do what designers do best – experiment.