It’s not every day you see people going crazy over Puma shoes. To many, Puma shoes are the ugly ducklings of the sneaker industry—lifeless and dumb.
But, to shut those critics up, Puma has recently revived a legend from the 80s. I’m talking about the Puma Slipstream, an 80s basketball sneaker that had great hype back then and is now back in stores with a bit of modern flair.
Even for me, the design and price were too tempting to resist—I broke my piggy bank and bought them.
And now that I have them, I’m going to give you my thoughts on these sneakers, covering design, materials, comfort, fit, and price. This way, you’ll know if they’re worth the hype.
So, here’s what I think about the Puma Slipstream:
Contents
Quick Look at the Puma Slipstream
Before I actually jump into the full review of the Puma Slipstream, here’s a quick overview of everything we’ve got in these sneakers.
Now, let us stop wasting time and get started with my full review of the Puma Slipstream.
Design
Starting off with the design, it’s basically an updated version of the older Puma Slipstream, which were hi-top basketball sneakers from 1987.
Now re-released as low-top sneakers, this new Puma Slipstream design draws inspiration from 80’s basketball sneakers with a chunky, oversized look. The newer version has some unique modern updates in the design to keep up with newer generations.
The modern take on retro design looks pretty sharp, appealing, and clean. And I’ll definitely be giving it’s design a solid 10 by 10.
Materials
Materials on Puma Slipstream are nothing new but still quite good for everyday use.
The upper of the sneaker is mostly leather, including the tongue. I find the quality of the leather quite refined compared to other sneakers in this price range. Additionally, there’s some suede on the toe-box and the back of the shoe, which adds a stylish touch that I really like.
The laces are fabric, quite thick, and long enough for a good fit. While they’re not particularly special, they get the job done well.
The midsole is thick and made of regular rubber, which is okay for small walks and minor skating. I can’t say much about the midsole, as it adds a lot of weight.
The outsole is also all rubber, with a design pattern that recalls the basketball vibe of the original 80s shoe. I believe this can be good for extra traction.
Inside the shoe, the inner lining is all textile, which feels nice against the skin. With that, there’s a SOFTFOAM+ insole, which is evenly padded to provide comfort.
And that’s pretty much it about the material; I’ll be giving it an 8 out of 10 rating.
Related: Puma 180 Review
Comfort
Explaining the comfort of budget sneakers is always tricky since they aren’t high-end and can’t provide a top-notch experience on a budget.
So, yeah! In the comfort section, the Puma Slipstream sneakers feel average—not the best, but definitely not the worst.
First of all, what I do like about these sneakers is their good breathability. The upper has a decent number of perforations to circulate air, so your feet won’t feel toasty at all.
The overall cushioning is also pretty decent, especially in the tongue, collar, and insole. The insole in this model is a bit thicker (around 5 mm) compared to what we saw on the Puma 180, which is a plus.
What I didn’t like about the shoes was their heavy midsole. Most chunky sneakers have this problem, and you can definitely feel their weight. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like it. It makes walking, running, and even standing harder.
And even though they’re retro basketball shoes, they’re not good for basketball these days. They lack all the essential features of basketball shoes. They’re just great for styling, matching outfits, or just sitting around in classrooms or having a coffee.
So, in the comfort section, I’ll rate them 6.8 out of 10.
Related: Are Puma Sneaker Underrated?
Size
The Puma Slipstream fits true to size (TTS).
Despite their chunky appearance, I haven’t had any issues with sizing. They fit well and don’t require sizing up or down. The fit is snug around the foot, with some extra room in the toe-box.
For a perfect fit, I recommend going with your usual size. So, a 10 out of 10 for fitting.
Price
The most interesting part about these sneakers is their price.
Puma Slipstream costs about $60, or perhaps a little more or less, depending on your region. You will, however, be able to get these for less than $100, regardless of where you live.
Budget shoppers who don’t like to spend hundreds of dollars on their sneakers can definitely go with these. I think these sneakers are a steal at their price.
So, I’d give them a 10 out of 10 for the price as well.
Final Words: Are Puma Slipstream Even Worth Buying?
Yes! Puma has been doing remarkable stuff consistently for some years now, and it’s a great time for people to try out their sneakers. If you’re looking for great lifestyle sneakers on a super-tight budget, the Puma Slipstream is the way to go.
Their design, material, fit, and color combinations for just 60 bucks are mind-blowing. Sure, they’re not the comfiest or ideal for basketball these days, but if you’re into styling or a bit of skating, these shoes will treat you well.
So, yeah! Great sneakers for a great price; totally worth buying if you love matching outfits and showing off on the streets.
FAQ
What are Slipstream Sneakers?
These retro-inspired chunky sneakers from Puma have recently gained a lot of attention from sneaker fans worldwide. They are a revised version of the ’87 Slipstream sneakers, which were originally basketball shoes.
Overall, this sneaker features a sharp and aggressive design, along with durable materials, all priced under $100.
Is the Puma Slipstream Unisex?
Yes! Puma Slipstream have unisex and gender-specific models in their stores. You can grab the one that you like. They all look almost the same.
Do Puma Slipstream Run Big?
Nope! The Puma Slipstream runs true to size (TTS). Despite their oversized appearance, you don’t need to go up or down a size for a nice and snug fit.
