PUMA has long been devoted to the world of motorsports, establishing itself as a leader in sportswear and also in fashion.
In 1983, Stefan Bellof drove a 620-horsepower Porsche 956 in the World Endurance Championship, completing a 20.81 km lap of the Nürburgring in 6 minutes and 11.13 seconds, a remarkable speed that led his induction into Formula 1 in 1984. His world record remained for 35 years. Bellof was also the first racing driver to wear PUMA. This world record remains today.
PUMA additionally formed partnerships with esteemed teams like Scuderia Ferrari, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, and the former Formula One team Alfa Romeo. PUMA’s prowess can be witnessed through the achievements of renowned Formula One drivers, including former Formula One world driver, Michael Schumer, who sported the PUMA VINTICORE and FUTURE CAT shoes in securing his world championship victory. Subsequent world champion drivers such as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have also trusted PUMA, donning the PUMA SPEEDCAT. Their choice serves as a testament to the exceptional racing capabilities that these shoes provide to riders.
However, undoubtedly holding the crown of the greatest representative of racing shoes is the PUMA SPEEDCAT OG. Originating in 1999, initially crafted as a fireproof version made for Formula One racing drivers, they provided essential safety features needed for high-speed and high-risk environments.
Originating from motorsport to evolving as a fashion icon, the SPEEDCAT’s streamlined appearance, vibrant colors, and high-end fabrics fuse fashion and performance. Since its inception, successive models such as the PUMA Drift Cat and Race Cat have followed in the legacy of PUMA’s best-selling shoe.
In recent years, Racecore has become popular in the fashion realm regaining attention thanks to this iconic silhouette. Earlier in 2024, PUMA launched the SPEEDCAT OG in South Korea; it was sold out in 17 minutes on the official website and sold out in stores within half an hour.
In March, PUMA collaborated with Korean brand OPEN YY to release a joint version of the SPEEDCAT, receiving widespread praise and attention due to its pleasant and appealing colorways atop a functional and fashionable silhouette, becoming a major media topic in the fashion landscape.
The widespread acclaim and adoration for the SPEEDCAT have only intensified, with numerous endorsements from Korea only further enhancing the racecore agenda; 2NE1’s Minzy, Red Velvet’s Seulgi, Rapper Woo Wonjae, and model Irene Kim have joined the ranks of SPEEDCAT enthusiasts.
Among its list of celebrity wearers is model and actress, Emily Ratajkowski, demonstrating the versatility and wearability of the PUMA SPEEDCAT off-track. Additionally, following the announcement that BLACKPINK’s Rosé has become PUMA’s latest global brand ambassador, PUMA has officially re-instated the classic racing shoe Speedcat OG. With its many years of history and heritage in the field of motorsports, the model brings a unique cultural history and influence to today's sports fashion circle.
PUMA’s SPEEDCAT OG arrives in two colorways of classic black and red, not only stunning and impressive in appearance but also boasting its timeless narrow silhouette. Based on the fire-resistant racing shoes worn by Grand Prix drivers in the 1980s and 1990s, the integrated signature Jumping Leopard logo adorns the toe and tongue, retaining a retro-luxury aesthetic while paying homage to the iconic heritage of F1 racing team uniforms from the early 2000s.
For racing fans and fashion enthusiasts alike, limited quantities of the PUMA SPEEDCAT OG will be available online and offline at HBX starting June 29th. Explore more racing-inspired fashion to match the PUMA SPEEDCAT OG below.