It’s Here: The Next Major It Sneaker of 2025

Sportswear and fashion meet again in Balenciaga’s latest collaboration with Puma. Originally teased in its fall/winter 2025 runway collection, featuring sleek tracksuits and “destroyed” Speedcats, the collaboration has finally made an appearance off-runway since its release. Model Amelia Gray was spotted during Paris Fashion Week in a head-to-toe Puma look, including the new distressed Speedcats in black, that was equal parts sporty and chic. Gray has been a Puma fan for a while now, having just appeared in a campaign for the Puma Mostro last month. Considering her It-girl status and relationship with the brand, it just feels right that she would be the one to debut this new anticipated sneaker.

The Puma Speedcat was originally introduced in 1999 and has remained a go-to sneaker style for many over the years. The reworked Balenciaga Speedcat nods to its history and maintains some of the original design, including the flat sole and cutoff Formstrip introduced in 1958. The structure of this shoe is not just worn but stripped to give it a flexible, almost sock-like feel. Sneakers in general have been having a fun year of new drops and luxury brand collabs, but this one feels particularly special because it sits within Demna’s last collection for Balenciaga.

The sneaker wasn’t unveiled alone; the runway also debuted other Puma | Balenciaga items including T-shirts, tracksuits, shorts, coats, and another shoe—a satin slip-on ballerina. Luxury sneaker collaborations tend to generate hype, and we can guarantee the fashion industry will be clamoring for this one. Demna’s last bow at Balenciaga will always hold a special place in my heart. Anyway, if you want to be one of the first to wear the next major It sneaker of the year before it sells out, keep scrolling.

On Amelia Gray: Puma T7 Always On Crop Track Jacket ($70), Balenciaga | Puma Speedcat Suede Balenciaga ($685)

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