The Puma Speedcat is the hottest sneaker in the world right now
The Puma Speedcat has overtaken the Adidas Samba as the world's most in-demand sneaker. We delve into its history as the shoe of F1 drivers, plus where to buy a pair
By Amy Campbell
IF YOU’VE BEEN noticing cool people kicking around in a pair of aerodynamic sneakers that look like they could be worn bouldering, it’s no coincidence: the Puma Speedcat has just been revealed as the world’s hottest sneaker.
According to the latest Lyst Index, a quarterly ranking of fashion’s hottest brands and products compiled by fashion technology firm Lyst, searches for the sneaker spiked 532 per cent in August. Demand for the retro, slimline sneaker probably has something to do with it being seen on celebrities from Em Rata to Troye Sivan and Dua Lipa. But it could also be due to the style set looking for a (slightly) new silhouette, following the mainstream proliferation of the Adidas Samba.
Another appeal is the Speedcat’s price. Retailing at $180, the sneakers are one of the more affordable fashion sneakers on the market. But due to its lower price, the Puma Speedcat is also chronically sold out. And as Lyst’s data indicates, if anything, they’re only going to get harder to find.
What are Puma Speedcats for?
In addition to its weird-in-a-cool-way silhouette, I’d argue the most compelling thing about the Speedcat is its history. The shoe’s roots are on the grid, launching 25 years ago as a fireproof footwear style for Formula 1 drivers. Its lightweight composition and thin, low-profile rubber sole also allowing for opportune handling of the brake and throttle. While Puma began crafting motorsport shoes in 1984, the first Puma Speedcat came out in 1999.
Since 2004, Puma has been the official supplier for Scuderia Ferrari, and since then, more of the world’s best teams – AMG Petronas and Red Bull Racing among them. For drivers like Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Max Verstappen, the sportswear brand creates custom high-top versions, created in collaboration with each driver. Today, they’re known as the Speedcat Pros.
But it’s the low-top versions that have taken off in the last six months. The first Speedcat ‘lifestyle’ shoe debuted in 2000. While it enjoyed some popularity on the streets, I’d argue it never quite experienced the levels of popularity it’s having now.
So, what kind of sneaker sorcery is behind the Speedcat’s overnight popularity? A few things.
Firstly, and at risk of stating the obvious, since Drive to Survive became a streaming phenomenon during lockdown, Formula 1 has become one of the biggest sports in the world. This surge of popularity has seen drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc go from fast guys behind the wheel to legit fashion icons. When Hamilton steps into the paddock dripping in Dior, you can bet photos of him will be all over social media within the hour. Likewise, F1 merch – once the domain of petrol heads and dorky dads, has entered the fashion zeitgeist. So it’s no surprise the sport’s favourite shoe would experience a similar rise.
Another factor: in this post-sneakerhead world, we’ve seen consumer taste veer from hypey designer models, returning to more nostalgic silhouettes from classic sportswear brands like Adidas, New Balance and Onitsuka Tiger. The retro factor is strong. But silhouette is also playing a really big role in our footwear choices. After years of chunkier models like the Air Jordan, we’re craving a more slimline silhouette. This has been reflected in the insane popularity of the Adidas Samba and, more recently, the Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66, both of which are the antithesis of chunky.
Not only is the Speedcat slim, it also brings an element of aerodynamism, with its contoured sole reinforcing its sportier origins. If we were to go any slimmer, I’m convinced we’d be wearing ballet slippers.
Finally, Puma, the brand, has undergone a bit of a glow-up. While its sales haven’t necessarily surged, its cultural perception has most definitely improved thanks to the Speedcat, as well as models like the Puma Easy Rider, which Austin Butler has been seen wearing of late. Despite tough economic conditions, can only nudge the company’s sales figures north.
If only Rudolf Dassler was around to tell his brother.
Where to buy the Puma Speedcat
While the Speedcat is currently out of stock at Puma, the brand’s website indicates its getting a re-stock, so watch that space. Meanwhile, Melbourne’s Up There still has a couple of pairs in stock – see below.
Puma Speedcat OG Unisex Sneakers in red
Puma Speedcat OG Unisex Sneakers in black
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