A short historical past of the Puma Speedcat
The Speedcat really began out within the high-stakes world of Formula One again in 1999. On the monitor, every part in regards to the design was pure perform. Drivers wanted a super-thin sole to really feel the pedals, a rounded heel to pivot easily round sharp European switchbacks, and a tight suede match. Puma stripped down the fireproof boots they made for skilled drivers, and introduced its reimagined design to the streets by way of sneaker a yr later, in 2000. They immediately turned the last word cosmopolitan model assertion—and in the event you walked via the cafes of Milan or the streets of Tokyo within the early 2000s, you noticed these unhealthy boys in every single place.
The Speedcats turned a complete staple for backpackers and city-hoppers alike—in any case, they seemed simply as proper with low-rise jeans and a leather-based jacket as they did packed away in a weekend duffel. The coolest half? When the remaining of the sneaker world went completely wild for chunky, outsized “dad shoes,” the Speedcat simply stayed in its lane. It did not attempt to reinvent itself each two seconds, which is precisely why it saved its easy, cool indie credibility for over 20 years.
Today, there may be a refreshed attraction in sneakers that really feel lighter, cleaner, and quieter in an outfit. Alas, enter ballet-core: a motion pushed by a number of seasons of vogue shifting away from chunky soles and outsized proportions in favor of slimmer, lower-profile footwear. As ballet flats return and vintage-inspired sneakers dominate, the aesthetic is evolving into a broader urge for food for footwear that balances model with real practicality and use. Take the business’s current push for the “sneakerina,” for instance, with manufacturers like Free People, Vivaia, Farm Rio, and Adidas (simply to call a few), all upping the ante within the ballet-infused-sneaker sport.
The Speedcat Ballet matches neatly into these developments, however not like many more moderen interpretations, it arrives with greater than 20 years of historical past behind it. Its attraction is not constructed on novelty, however slightly a design that has stayed true in its supportive, athletic-inspired essence.
Why I like them for journey
The Speedcat Ballet flats are one of probably the most packable sneakers I personal, taking over little area and weight in a carry-on—far lower than any light-weight sneaker in my closet. I introduced each my pink and cheetah print pair on current journeys to Puerto Rico, Miami, and the Hudson Valley, and was capable of fold one into the opposite and tuck them neatly into a nook of my bag. Even after being packed away in an overstuffed duffel or suitcase, these flats maintain their form surprisingly properly, making them a nice possibility once I’m trying to pack light.
They’re additionally one of the very best airport shoes I’ve worn in recent times. I usually put on them with a skinny, no-show sock once I’m touring. But for on a regular basis errands, I’ll typically throw them on with out socks altogether. They’re straightforward to slide on and off, light-weight sufficient for lengthy journey days, and ethereal sufficient that they by no means really feel cumbersome or restrictive, even in hotter climate. At the identical time, they (refreshingly) don’t sacrifice help, and I’ve discovered that many sneakers within the sneakers class really feel extra like ballet flats than precise sneakers. With the Speedcats, I can really feel the sneaker heritage within the construct, and extra grip and stability than any comparable sneakers I’ve tried in recent times have provided.