SHOP $100, puma.com
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Let me tell you the story of how I found my favorite sneaker ever. Because I have eyes (and because I’m tapped-in to trendy menswear for a living), I saw the resurgence of the slim, sleek, low-profile, sporty sneaker on the horizon. When I secured my first pair of Onitsuka Tiger Mexico 66 shoes, I fell in love—but this story isn’t about those sneakers.
These days, you can pretty much only get Onitsuka Tigers at a storefront location, which limits you to shopping in Europe and Asia. It used to be me and my bright-yellow, Kill Bill Mexico 66s against the world, until one day, I wore them into a lake, and then they fell apart, and I couldn’t score new ones. This would be a tragedy, if not for the shoes I stumbled upon in my search for something bright, cool, and comfy instead: Puma Speedcat OG Sneakers.
They more than satiate my need for a chic, versatile, stylish sneaker in my wardrobe—they actually exceed all expectations. It’s no wonder everyone from Troye Sivan to Dua Lipa to this Esquire editor endorses the Speedcats—they’re that damn good.
SHOP $100, puma.com
Slim Style Is Cool As Hell
The Puma Speedcat isn’t a new sneaker on the market, but to many style-driven consumers, it is. Originally, the brand began crafting this racing shoe in the ‘90s, made to be fireproof and precise for Formula 1 drivers; in 1999, Puma and Sparco created the modern Speedcat, which was an instant fashion hit. It still is, clearly; the most recent iteration of the Speedcat pays tribute to its racing origins, with a low-profile, slim design, but is contemporary in its suede outer and array of bright colors.
I have the Speedcats in Red (the original colorway, alongside Black) and in Blue, but I would stock up on every color if I could. The ultra-slim design looks good with anything, and gives your fits a streetwear edge; even if I wear mine with pleated trousers, they look as good as they do with baggy jeans. Plus, it helps that the pops of color add an interesting detail to my outfit (if you’ve ever adhered to the “Wrong Shoe Theory” made popular on TikTok, then you know the power of finishing off your look with bright, funky footwear). They’re a statement shoe, sure, but a staple, too.
With the low-profile sneaker being as popular as its ever been, the Speedcat is an infallible choice. The design is timeless, and, in my books, the suede more sophisticated than a cotton or leather shell. There’s a simple contrast stripe on the side and Puma branding dotted throughout, but the entire look is quite minimalist—easy to style, easy to find excuses to wear every damn day.
SHOP $100, puma.com
Comfier Than the Rest
I’ll admit it: In terms of appearance, it was a close call for me between my Speedcats and my Mexico 66s. But in terms of comfort, Puma takes the cake.
When you start wearing low-profile sneakers, you quickly discover what makes them so slim; there’s virtually no arch, no sole, and certainly no cushioning or shock absorption. In shoes like my Onitsuka Tigers, I can feel every damn pebble on the street. If there’s so much as a piece of lint underfoot, I will know. They’re pretty much like walking in ultra-thick socks; comfortable at first, but after a bit of walking, you just want your foot to have some protection and support.
That’s exactly what the Speedcats offer. They’re still slim and sleek, but because Puma is such an iconic footwear brand that’s built a reputation on delivering performance-driven shoes, they pack in the comfort, too. They’re still lightweight and flexible, but I don’t feel every rock I step on in them—only the big ones.
Plus, they don’t run as narrow as I find other sporty sneakers to run. The leather upper is pretty great at forming to your feet, so the more you wear them and break them in, the more they’ll conform to the shape of your foot and feel designed specifically for you.
SHOP $100, puma.com
And the Quality Is Unending
I know now not to wear my sneakers into a lake, but I’m pretty convinced that the Speedcats would hold up even if I did. For being so lightweight, these shoes are pretty unbelievably tough.
I’m not a sneaker person, but these shoes have made me into one; they’re the sneakers for people who hate sneakers, because they’re usually ugly and bulky, not sleek and stylish. I am a big walker, though, and I’ve done tens of thousands of steps in these shoes. Hundreds of thousands, even. They still look good as new, and only get more comfortable with time, as you break them in (but that isn’t to say that they aren’t already super comfortable as soon as you wear ‘em out of the box).
I’m not someone who needs a lot of arch support, but I can feel the difference when a shoe has it, and these ones have it. Not as much as a chunky walking sneaker, but more than other slim, sporty sneakers do. Plus, the suede doesn’t fuzz up and pill like suede shoes usually do; even after all this time, wear, and use, my Speedcats are only getting better and better.
SHOP $100, puma.com
Photographs by Florence Sullivan
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