Puma is a sportswear brand from Herzogenaurach, Germany. Rudolf Dassler founded it in 1948, after splitting the business with his younger brother, Adolf "Adi" Dassler, who then built Adidas. Before that, the two had run a shoe factory together since 1924. Puma became known for football boots and athletic shoes, and later for casual models such as the Suede and Clyde, which also found their way into street culture. The early logo showed an animal leaping over the letter D, and the side stripe called the Formstrip came into use in 1958. For buyers of secondhand shoes, this long history means many models from many eras. There are functional sports shoes, and there are lifestyle sneakers with their own fans.
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Puma's story begins with a family of shoe workers in Herzogenaurach. Rudolf Dassler and his younger brother, Adi, founded Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik in July 1924. The business started in their mother's wash house. At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, the two brothers brought a suitcase full of spike shoes and persuaded the American runner Jesse Owens to wear them. Owens won four gold medals.
In 1948 the two split. Adi formed Adidas, while Rudolf moved to the other side of the Aurach River and founded a company that was first called Ruda, then renamed Puma Schuhfabrik Rudolf Dassler. The rivalry between the two brands divided the town, to the point that its residents were nicknamed "the town of bent necks" because people often looked down at strangers' shoes. In the same year, several West German national team players wore Puma football boots in their first match after World War II. Rudolf later developed the Super Atom football boot with screw-in studs.
Its name grew stronger on the pitch. Josy Barthel gave Puma its first Olympic gold in 1952. At the 1968 Olympics, Tommie Smith and John Carlos stepped onto the podium holding their Puma Suede shoes in their hands. Ahead of the 1970 World Cup, Pelé tied the laces of his King boots in front of the camera before the quarter-final match. In 1973 Puma launched the Clyde, a basketball shoe based on the Suede, which later became known in old-school hip hop circles and the skate punk scene. As of 2022, Puma operates in more than 120 countries.
- Suede: The shoe that Tommie Smith and John Carlos carried during their podium protest at the 1968 Olympics.
- Clyde: A basketball shoe launched in 1973, based on the Suede and designed for Walt "Clyde" Frazier.
- King: The football boot Pelé wore in 1970, which put Puma in front of a worldwide audience.
- Super Atom: A football boot with screw-in studs, developed by Rudolf Dassler together with others such as national coach Sepp Herberger.
What we check before listing
We usually compare the logo and Formstrip with official photos of the same model and era, because their shape can differ from year to year. The stitching should be neat and even, with no glue spilling out where the upper meets the sole. The sole needs to be checked: whether it is still flexible, not brittle, and not starting to come away from the upper. We also look at the size label inside, the print on the insole that has not worn away, and any damp smell that is hard to remove. On suede models, we check whether the nap is still even and not bald around the creases.
Caring for it
Brush suede with a suede brush in the direction of the nap, and avoid soaking it in water. For leather models, wipe with a damp cloth and apply leather conditioner now and then. Dry the shoes in the shade, away from direct sunlight and heat sources, so the sole and glue do not break down quickly. Store them with enough room for air, and fill them with paper or a shoe tree to keep their shape.
FAQ
What is the relationship between Puma and Adidas?
Both were founded by the Dassler brothers. Rudolf founded Puma and Adolf founded Adidas after their shared business split in 1948.
What is the difference between the Puma Suede and the Puma Clyde?
The Clyde was launched in 1973 as a basketball shoe based on the Suede. The Clyde was designed for basketball player Walt "Clyde" Frazier.
How do you check whether a secondhand Puma shoe is authentic?
Compare the logo, Formstrip, labels, and stitching quality with official photos of the same model. This is only a checking guide, not a guarantee, so it is also worth looking at the condition of the material and the sole.
Are older secondhand Puma shoes still worth wearing?
It depends on the condition. A sole that is brittle or starting to separate can make the shoes less comfortable for daily wear. Well-kept older models usually suit casual style better than heavy sport.
References
Facts summarised and rewritten from the sources above (CC BY-SA licence).