Puma

Puma is a German athletic brand founded in 1948 by Rudolf Dassler — brother of adidas founder Adi Dassler. Known for the Suede, Clyde, RS-X, and signature athletes LaMelo Ball and Rihanna (Fenty x Puma), Puma has reclaimed relevance through lifestyle collaborations and basketball signatures. JustFreshKicks tracks every drop.

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About Puma

Curated by the editorial team.

Quick Facts
FoundedOctober 1, 1948
FounderRudolf Dassler (brother of adidas founder Adi Dassler)
HeadquartersHerzogenaurach, Germany
Iconic SilhouettesSuede, Clyde, Speedcat, Palermo, RS-X
Signature TechnologyNitro foam, Ignite Pro
Signature AthletesLaMelo Ball, Neymar Jr., Breanna Stewart
Stock TickerFRA: PUM

Puma SE is a German multinational athletic and casual footwear, apparel, and accessories brand, founded in 1948 in Herzogenaurach, Germany by Rudolf Dassler — brother of adidas founder Adi Dassler. The brothers' fractured relationship famously split the original Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik into Puma (Rudolf) and adidas (Adi) in 1948, setting up one of the most enduring rivalries in sportswear.

The Suede and the Clyde

The Puma Suede, released in 1968, is the brand's defining silhouette. Tommie Smith wore white Puma Suedes while raising the Black Power salute on the 1968 Olympic medal podium — a foundational moment in both sports and cultural history. Walt "Clyde" Frazier's 1972 "Clyde" endorsement variant of the Suede made it the unofficial shoe of 1970s New York street basketball and hip-hop — the Clyde colorway remains continuously retro'd.

Key silhouettes

- Suede / Clyde — 1968/1972 flagship lifestyle silhouette
- Roma — 1968 training shoe
- Speedcat — early-2000s low-profile driving-inspired silhouette, revived 2023
- Palermo — suede lifestyle retro popular in 2024
- Easy Rider — 1970s running retro
- RS-X — modern chunky lifestyle
- MB.03, MB.04 — LaMelo Ball signature basketball line
- Hoops Nitro — modern performance basketball

Collaborations

Rihanna's Fenty x Puma partnership (2014-2017) produced the Creeper — named Shoe of the Year by Footwear News in 2016 — and established the model for celebrity-designed athletic collaborations that followed. Bad Bunny's Pleasures, KidSuper, Palm Angels, Ottolinger, and Pronounce collaborations have driven Puma's 2020s lifestyle resurgence. The brand's return to basketball has included Kyle Kuzma, Breanna Stewart, and most prominently LaMelo Ball's signature MB line.

Global football

Puma outfits Manchester City, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, and the national teams of Italy, Switzerland, and Senegal among others. The brand has signed Neymar Jr. (since 2020), Marco Reus, and historically Pelé and Diego Maradona — who scored his famous Hand of God goal wearing Puma Kings in the 1986 World Cup.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Puma founded?

Puma was founded on October 1, 1948 in Herzogenaurach, Germany by Rudolf Dassler. Rudolf previously co-founded Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik with his brother Adi Dassler, before they split and Adi founded adidas the following year.

Are Puma and adidas related?

Yes — Puma was founded by Rudolf Dassler and adidas by his brother Adi Dassler, after the brothers had a falling-out and dissolved their shared shoe company in 1948. The two companies are headquartered on opposite sides of the Aurach river in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

What is the most famous Puma sneaker?

The Puma Suede (1968), also known as the Clyde (1972 variant named after Walt Frazier), is Puma's most iconic silhouette. Tommie Smith wore white Puma Suedes during his 1968 Olympic Black Power salute moment.

What was Fenty x Puma?

Fenty x Puma was Rihanna's 2014-2017 creative director partnership with Puma. It produced the Creeper (Footwear News Shoe of the Year 2016), Fenty Trainer, and Bow Slide. The partnership elevated Puma's cultural relevance and set the template for subsequent celebrity-designer collaborations.

Does Puma still make basketball shoes?

Yes. Puma relaunched its basketball category in 2018 with signings of Deandre Ayton and Rudy Gay. The brand has since signed LaMelo Ball (signature MB line starting with MB.01), Breanna Stewart, Kyle Kuzma, and Jalen Green.

Who designs Puma's modern lifestyle releases?

Puma's creative direction for lifestyle releases has rotated. Recent high-profile collaborators have included KidSuper, Palm Angels, Ottolinger, Bad Bunny, and Pleasures. Adam Petrick has served as Chief Brand Officer since 2019.

What does the Puma logo represent?

The Puma logo depicts a leaping puma (mountain lion). The current form was designed by Lutz Backes in 1968. The "form strip" — the curved stripe on the side of most Puma models — serves as the brand's visual identifier on footwear.