Hate 'em or love 'em, Balenciaga is a breath of fresh air within the world of fashion. Although the imprint is far removed from its origins in Spain, it continues to play an important role in the current zeitgeist, shining the light on unsuspecting partners, aesthetics, and proportions. During its Winter 2025 runway show, Balenciaga unveiled an expansive collection with none other than PUMA.
No stranger to the world of high-fashion, PUMA and Demna Gvasalia keep things simple for their first go-around together. Inspired by the German outfitter's storied past in both football and motorsports, Balenciaga's puma-branded range includes tracksuits, athletics socks, and a reinterpretation of the popular Speedcat silhouette.
Officially dubbed the "PUMA Ultrasoft Speedcat," Gvasalia's update to the classic motorsports-informed shoe from 1999 doesn't reinvent the wheel. In similar fashion to the Speedcat Go, an offering for women that bring mesh panels and bungee laces to the retro style, Balenciaga's makeover reimagines the sneaker with worn-out suede and a distressed, partial Formstrip at the profiles. The Ultrasoft Speedcat forgoes typical structural elements for a pliable, sock-like feel. Balenciaga text appears next to PUMA's iconic cat logo on the lateral profile, cementing the new partnership.
The model will be offered in its iconic 'For All Time Red/PUMA White' color combination, as well as all black, navy-and-white, and white-and-black looks. The rubber tire-reminiscent outsole maintains its classic black finish across every pair shown during Balenciaga's winter showing, although it's given a worn aesthetic as well.
Enjoy photos of some of the inaugural Balenciaga x PUMA collection below, and expect pairs to hit both brands' web stores by November for a price higher than the typical Speedcat's $100.
