Puma Speedcat
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Puma had a history of designing racing shoes specifically for Formula 1 drivers. Each shoe was made to be tailored for each driver. In 1999, Puma board member Martin Gänsler partnered with designer Rudi Hieblinger and agency Création & Focus Design to create a new racing shoe based on the one created for Dominique Zhang. Specifically, his 1984/85 model. The new shoe was called the Puma Speedcat and was released in 1999. The original version made for racing came in both premium calfskin or kangaroo leather and also included fireproof lining on the shoe. The following year in 2000, Puma decided to launch a lifestyle version of the shoe in both mid-top and low top variants. The release also included a collaboration with Sparco. The lifestyle release replaced the stronger leather with normal leather and suede and also removed the fireproof lining.[2] The shoe became popular in the early 2000s in Europe where motorsport fans and fashion oriented people loved the shoe for its unique design.
