The PUMA Speedcat takes Pole Position in Seoul

The relationship between sport and sneakers is only getting stronger, and as a result, brands are looking to tap back into their heritage to expand their style roster. PUMA, who have a longstanding history within motorsport, have delved into their archives to bring the Speedcat to the sportstyle market and kicked things off in Korea just a few days ago. The shoe took the city by storm, signalling the continued sway towards low-profile silhouettes.

The Speedcat originated from the fireproof shoes worn by F1 drivers in 1998, and by the 2000s it had become one of PUMA’s lifestyle classics. In fact, the Big Cat had sold over 28 million pairs just five years after its launch.

For 2024, the silhouette remains largely the same, only PUMA has added a cat logo to the toebox and dialled up the comfort factor underfoot. The rest of the shoe reflects its original racing heritage, right down to the black and red colourways that represent iconic racing teams. The Seoul pop-up celebrated this heritage, showcasing the Speedcat’s journey throughout motorsport. Set to drop globally later this year, you can check out pictures from the installation right here, and be sure to stay locked to Sneaker Freaker for all the latest on upcoming Speedcat releases.