Up top ...pretty retro-classic running shoe lines with a mix of (mostly) nylon and some suede leather with classic "Puma" logos and wave swoosh. The insoles remind you of how much running shoe technology has evolved in the last 30(!) years; they are comfortable as casual kicks but not the ticket for a modern marathon. Overall a minimal, lightweight and comfortable shoe ...consider these the "speedier" little brother to the Puma EasyRiders. In fact, the FastRider was marketed to lighter runners while the EasyRider tuned more for heavier runners (and this was back before obesity became a national pass time).
But then there's those awesome looking soles covered, from heel to toe, with scads of cone-like cleats; anyway you view them they just look cool. Like the EasyRiders, Puma used a "cone" type of tread (they were competing against Nike's iconic "waffle" soles) only with the FastRider they used smaller cones and mounted them in a V-shaped arrangement; two tread cones are joined at their bases and splayed at an angle as they protrude from the bottom of the shoe. The "science" back then was the splay of the cones would offer greater cushioning (vs. the straight up cone tread of the EasyRiders) by flexing as weight was placed on them. The flex-y tread also gives the soles the ability to conform to uneven terrain providing excellent traction on just about any surface, hard or soft. The cushy foam midsole was part of the system and the shoe "works' as good today as I remember it 30 years ago. As sweet as these vintage treads are to wear today, they also retain their biggest drawback; all that flex-y comfort, cush and traction comes at the price of durability. The soles will wear quickly in the heels since there are no designed-in heel strike areas ...again you're dealing with old shoe technology ...and the sole will be long gone before the uppers are anywhere near worn through; the price one pays for "cool-ness". That's about the only drawback I've experienced. They fit true to size and are comfortably snug on your feet. In addition to just casual wear these shoes, IMHO, make an excellent choice as a very lightweight trail shoe ...perfect for the short day hike on established or improved trails or on more urban all-weather gravel. And be prepared, once you get back to "civilization", to check your feet; the grippy soles *will* pickup and hold small rocks, trail debris and mud.
If you fell in love with these shoes thirty years ago, here's your chance to get re-aquainted. If you were just a gleam in your daddy's eye when these shoes first hit the market, well, check out what was cutting edge 30 years ago. Their mission this time around is casual and light trail duty. Either way these are some sole-full shoes; the look is retro-minimal, the comfort is still there and then ...there are those soles.
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Yes they're retro, they're also unique, and i can tell you that not everyone will like them but they sure as hell will stare at them...If you like what you see, get them!! they're comfy and well made, only thing i'm not crazy about is that they're a little thin around the ankle (i mean the sneakers fabric around the ankle).
Recomended...
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