PUMA's Popular Speedcat Gets A Balletcore-Inspired Update

Mary Jane footwear is here to stay and some of the world's biggest sneaker brands have taken notice. PUMA is the latest company to bring a trendy, laceless update to one of its most iconic silhouettes, resulting in the Speedcat Ballet.

If you take a deep dive into PUMA's expansive archive, you'll find that the Speedcat Ballet isn't the brand's first foray into Mary Jane-like footwear. The model, however, is the institution's latest and has surfaced at a crucial point. Competitors like ASICS and New Balance have recently released their own takes rooted in the balletcore trend, and have found impressive success. PUMA's offerings don't reinvent the wheel, but breathe new life into one of 2024's most popular styles amongst fashion-forward women.

Unveiled on the runway during last month's Copenhagen Fashion Week, the PUMA Speedcat Ballet merges Formula 1®-informed DNA with elegant, ballet-inspired updates to create a compelling, low-profile silhouette for the ladies. Nods to the product's racing origins arrive via the rubber outsole underfoot, while the exposed upper and the elastic bands that run over it jump to the modern era. PUMA's iconic Formstripe and embroidered cat logo reprise their traditional roles as well.

Enjoy official photos of the Speedcat Ballet's inaugural "Silver" and "White/Black" colorways. Both women's pairs released via PUMA.com on Saturday, March 1, for a budget-friendly $80. An additional pink-accented duo will release by the end of summer, along with other looks.

The Black and Punk pairs have just released on Puma.com.

For more laceless women's footwear, check out the Adidas Samba Jane, a Mary Jane-inspired update to the iconic football trainer.