How to Get Your Hands on a Pair of Puma Speedcats, This Season's Hottest Sneakers

What’s fashion’s next It-sneaker? It’s a question I often get asked and one that’s top of mind for me as a trend forecaster. Though many retro styles have risen in popularity, none have held their status quite like the Puma Speedcat.

PUMA Puma Women's Speedcat Shoes Sneaker, Black/White, 7

According to last year’s Lyst Index, the Puma Speedcat had it’s breakout moment in 2024. The shopping platform’s quarterly report utilizes data from over 200 million online customers to rank the hottest fashion brands and items, and for Q3 of 2024, shows searches for Puma Speedcats spiked 523 percent in August. The streamlined, retro silhouette was among the three most sought-after products of the season, falling just behind the buzzy Alaïa mesh flats and Coach’s celebrity-loved Brooklyn tote bag.

But fast forward to 2025, and the domination continues. Much of the Speedcat’s popularity can be attributed to celebrity endorsements from A-listers like Rihanna, Troye Sivan, Emily Ratajkowski, and Dua Lipa. In fact, according to additional data shared by Lyst, demand for the red colorway Ratajkowski and Lipa wore rose to a staggering 1,588 percent month-over-month.

The shoe’s reasonable $100 price tag is another key part of its appeal, though due to its continued hype, it can be difficult to snag and resell for upwards of $200 on resale sites. Here, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about the It-sneaker that has proven its longevity and how to get your hands on a pair.

The Puma Speedcat was first introduced in 1999 as a fashionable, functional option for motorsports fans. Its notably narrow, streamlined silhouette draws inspiration from fire-resistant racing boots worn by Grand Prix drivers of the ’90s. Originally introduced in black and red, the style is now offered in a variety of colors, including a chocolate brown that feels particularly on-trend for fall 2025.

It’s no coincidence that racing-inspired sneakers are trending this season. From the release of Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive series and Supreme’s Ducati bike earlier this year to Kim Kardashian’s viral Balenciaga biker looks over the past few seasons, motorsports have solidified their place in today’s cultural lexicon. Analyzing the arc of past It-sneakers like Nike Air Force 1s and Adidas Sambas, I suspect we’ll see a growing number of sleek Speedcat-esque silhouettes emerge from other top sneaker brands as well.

“We’re seeing an evolution of the flatter sneaker silhouette, from the Samba to the Onitsuka Tiger,” says Katy Lubin, VP of brand and communications at Lyst. “Puma Speedcats play into the trend for sleeker, more streamlined shapes at an accessible price point. Compared to chunkier, more technical ‘dad’ sneakers, they’re a versatile piece to style with elevated daywear, with built-in nostalgic appeal.”

Puma has released numerous sneaker collaborations with racing giants like Ferrari, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes-AMG, and F1, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see the shoemaker drop similar Speedcat collaborations in the coming months. Take the eclectic Coperni x Puma Speedcats that debuted this spring as indication that more buzzy designer spins on the popular Speedcat silhouette may be on the horizon.

The coveted sneaker is often sold out on Puma’s website, but you can sign up to receive notifications about future Speedcat drops and restocks on Puma.com. I’ll be keeping a close eye on availability so you can be the first to know when and where you can buy Puma Speedcats at retail price once they’re back in stock. In the meantime, Nordstrom and Shopbop currently have a few sizes in stock.

Those who must own a pair immediately and don’t mind paying extra can find certain colorways at Farfetch, FWRD, and Ssense starting at around $125—though quantities are extremely limited and prices vary widely by size. Alternatively, you can also buy Puma Speedcats on resale sites like StockX, Stadium Goods, and Vestiaire for higher-than-retail prices. Here are the styles we’re adding to our collection, ASAP.