Five Archive Finds that Prove PUMA Were Always Ahead of the Game
Earlier this year, Sneaker Freaker ventured into the Archive – a treasure trove of iconic sporting memorabilia, early designer collaborations and samples, and retro oddities. Among them are highlights from the Big Cat’s most experimental period – the turn of the millennium – when designers like Peter Schmid and Ray Horacek were given the freedom to create future-forward, imaginative silhouettes.
In 2024, we’ve seen a few of these resurface, whether in the form of a direct retro or a slightly more subtle reference, including the . Get ready to take a trip down memory lane, as these are the archival Big Cat styles that prove PUMA were ahead of the game.
The Speedcat
One of the OG heroes of PUMA’s prowling low-profile line-up, the isn’t just the latest it-shoe. In fact, the Speedcat’s success traces back to its time on the racing track, where it was an early pillar of offering. The Speedcat made its debut in 2000 and was designed to be an uber-light, fireproof shoe for Formula 1 drivers. It was revered in the circuit for its weightless feel and slim profile, and seven-time F1 champ Lewis Hamilton even described the silhouette as feeling ‘more like a sock’ than a sneaker. Dropping as part of the brand’s partnership with the sport, the lifestyle Speedcat actually went on to dominate the lifestyle market throughout the 2000s, becoming PUMA’s bestselling sneaker. And while it channels the Y2K aesthetic that is dominating feeds in 2024, the retro still called back to the Speedcat’s sporting legacy through its sleek Ferrari red and black colourways.
Mostro
The Speedcat isn’t the only silhouette to revel in its revival throughout 2024 – it was also a prime time to bring back the PUMA Mostro from 1999. Named after the Italian word for ‘monster’, you can think of the model as the zippy Speedcat’s more fashion-forward, edgier cousin. The Mostro was designed as one of PUMA’s early ventures into the lifestyle market and is a hybrid of an 80s surf shoe and a 60s sprint spike. While it all sounds a bit ‘Frankenstein’s Monster’, the result is a sleek and spikey-soled sci-fi style sneaker that got the fashion set talking. The Mostro soon had a movie moment, featuring in the 2005 film The Island, and then further cemented itself as a must-have with a little help from musician Bjork and supermodel Erin O’Connor. Towards the end of 2023, PUMA partner Ottolinger began to usher in the Mostro’s return with a recreation of the Mostro Alto boot as seen on Bjork in the 2000s. Now, it’s back in its in-line form and has even evolved into a 3D-printed iteration thanks to .
PG Patent Golf Shoe
The burgeoning relationship between golf and sneakers has seen plenty of brands take a swing at the sport, but PUMA tee’d off all the way back in 2006. The PG Patent golf shoe arrived in a lurid mix of neon green patent panelling and stark white leather uppers – a far cry from the favoured neutral polos and khaki slacks that uniformed those spending time on the green. While it was too bold for most, the lime green PG Patent Golf shoe was undeniably eye-catching and even caught Skepta’s attention when the MC embarked on an archive visit. One thing led to another, and Big Smoke ended up taking cues from the PG Patent’s panelled upper and chunky build for his first signature design: the Skope Forever.
Jil Sander King
Driven by an increased desire for designer and branded goods, the 90s were the perfect opportunity to introduce high-low link-ups to the fashion and sportswear scenes. PUMA were the pioneers when they announced a partnership with German designer Jil Sander, who went on to produce multiple models with the Big Cat before had even thought about launching . Among some of Sander’s most revered silhouettes is the Jil Sander King, a hybridisation of the Maradona and Pele-approved King football boot and the retro running-geared Easy Rider. The combination of the football boot upper and distinct coned outsole resulted in a super sleek, minimalist and timeless shape that looks just as good today – just peep to spot the King’s influence, or keep an eye on the King's comeback this year…
Kugelblitz
Another one of PUMA’s mid-noughties marvels, the Kugelblitz was designed in 2004 by Mostro designer Peter Schmid. And while there’s no sign of it coming back just yet, the silhouette was packed with futuristic design features that we still see a lot of today. The low-pro Kugelblitz featured an asymmetric lacing system, low profile shape, and exposed stitching, but its defining detail is the bulbous-shaped rubber heel that was made to mimic an imaginary power source. Fast forward to the 2020s, and Givenchy’s TK MX sports a familiar-looking heel shape, and PUMA’s own Rombaut colab also plays on a similar silhouette. Time for a comeback?
Want to know more about PUMA's archival sneakers? Take a deep dive into the history here.