Whenever a new shoe hits the sneaker trend lineup, it grabs my full attention. We’ve seen the rise of the dad shoe, hiking shoes earning fashion cred (without the mountain mama vibe), and chunky platforms becoming a full-on movement. But lately, the slim, low-profile silhouette that was once a big hit in the early aughts has been creeping back into the spotlight, and the Puma Speedcat OG sneakers are definitely soaking it in. Even with more than 70 pairs of shoes crammed into my tiny New York City apartment, I couldn’t resist. I had to get my hands on them.
I’ve also got street style and social media to thank (or maybe blame) for this obsession. Everyone on my FYP has been sporting the Speedcat OGs, and celebs like Dua Lipa, Emily Ratajkowski, and Jennifer Lawrence have all been spotted in them. It felt like the universe was yelling at me to hop on the bandwagon. And, I won’t lie, I started feeling seriously left out… and lowkey out of style. So I took matters into my own hands to see what all the hype was about.
For two weeks, I put the viral suede and leather shoes to the test, paying close attention to fit, quality, support, and how easily they could be styled with different looks. My coworker, shopping editor Hannah Oh, also tried them out—especially to see how they work for someone with wide feet. (No feet were left behind in our research!) Now, keep scrolling for our full Puma Speedcat OG sneakers review, where we answer the most asked questions you have about the beloved shoes, so you can decide whether they deserve a spot in your cart or not.
Fit and Support
Do Puma Speedcat OGs fit true to size?
They run a little small, to be totally honest. I’m a size 6 with narrow feet and usually don’t size up, even when recommended. However, the size 6 felt a bit tight. I kind of wish I had gone up half a size, not gonna lie! They’re not uncomfortable by any means but are just more fitted than expected.
Hannah had a similar experience, though she opted to size up a full size. “I have decently wide feet, so I (with suspicion, to avoid any type of shoe pain) sized up a whole size. And thank God I did, because I didn’t experience any squeezy toes or the overwhelming desire to remove them under my desk secretly. Note that I typically wear a 6.5/7 and went for a 7.5, but if you typically wear a 7, going a half-size up might be plenty!”
Do Puma Speedcat OGs have arch support?
Not quite! These shoes aren’t designed for running marathons, long Hot Girl walks, or any sort of exercise, which makes them better suited for casual wear than all-day comfort. The Speedcat OGs have a low-profile design with minimal cushioning, so if you’re on your feet for long periods or need sneakers that won’t leave you aching after 30 minutes, these might not be the best choice.
Now, in comparison to the adidas Sambas (which makes sense to bring up since they were the last pair of sneakers to go viral), Hannah would say that the Sambas provide a similar level of support: minimal. “They’re pretty comparable to the amount of support an adidas Samba would offer, which is to say, not much. These fashion sneakers with a low profile and that trendy flat sole aren’t designed to support high arches or cushion your heels a ton, but they’re comfortable enough for a day of walking, and that’s enough for me! If I needed something more intense, there are more technical shoes to do that—but would they be as vibey? Definitely not.”
Comfort and Wearability
Are Puma Speedcat OGs comfortable for everyday use?
For the most part, yes—especially if your day involves light activity. I’ve worn them for over eight hours at a time, from the office to dinner and drinks afterward (where I was periodically sitting and walking), and never felt the urge to rip them off. However, if your day includes running, walking several miles without any sitting breaks, hiking, or being on your feet nonstop, they might not offer the support you need.
Do you have to break them in?
Thankfully, I didn’t have to go through any sort of ~breaking-in~ period. As someone who deals with blisters on the sides of their feet every other week (shoes are my weakness, okay?), this was a major relief. In my experience, they do stretch out a teensy bit after a couple of wears—such a clutch detail considering how narrow they are—but they never dug into my skin the first few times I wore them.
Although Hannah had a bit of a different experience than I did: “I will say that when I put these on for the first time, they felt stiff and uncomfortable… for about five minutes. After the (very short) break-in period, they were super comfortable and I didn’t have any blisters from the first few days of wearing them!”
Style and Design
What are Puma Speedcat OGs meant for?
A little history lesson for you: the Puma Speedcat OGs were originally designed as driving shoes, often seen in Formula 1 and around Monaco. But over the years, their slim silhouette and low-profile design attracted those off the track and have turned them into a streetwear staple—and a full-on fashion phenomenon.
How do you style the Puma Speedcat OGs?
Obviously, there aren’t any strict guidelines when it comes to fashion. You should wear what feels like speaks to you and your personality. Whether your aesthetic is preppy, coquette, grunge, maximalist, or somewhere in between, Speedcats can adapt to your vibe.
I’d describe my own look as Hailey Bieber–inspired minimalist with a playful edge—think clean lines with bold accents. I like styling the brown pair with warm, earthy pieces for a grounded, effortless feel. For the red ones, I usually go with a sleek, neutral outfit to let the color stand out as a statement. My favorite way to wear them is with slouchy, low-rise jeans and a baby tee for that effortless, throwback look.
Cost
How much are Puma Speedcat OGs?
They retail for $100, which feels pretty average for sneakers these days. Honestly, I’d even say they’re on the more affordable side for a name-brand shoe like this. Some colorways or materials might cost $10 to $20 more, depending on the style.
Do Puma Speedcat OGs go on sale often?
Sometimes! Depending on the retailer, they do get marked down here and there. It’s usually third-party sellers that offer discounts when they pop up. I’d recommend keeping an eye out because, honestly, you never really know!
Final Verdict
Meg Uy, Associate Shopping Editor: Chat, not to be dramatic, but I’m in love. Honestly, I was a bit skeptical at first because I worried the slim design would look weird on me. I’m only 4′11″, so I’ve always leaned toward sneakers with some height for extra lift. Turns out, I was totally wrong. They’re sleek, stylish, and instantly elevate any outfit. Plus, I’m a big fan of the Y2K style resurgence, and these speak to that perfectly.
Hannah Oh, Shopping Editor: All in all, very cute and easy to style with basic outfits to take them up a notch. Love the nod to the balletcore roots (the low profile and pointe-shoe-esque shape are some of my favorite features), and they don’t have to be uncomfortable if you know how to correctly size yourself!
Megan Uy is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, where she searches for the best products in all things fashion, home, beauty, sex, gifts, and more, so you don’t have to. When she’s not writing for the site, she’s whipping up some cool and trendy content for the fashion section of the print magazine. She’s been with the brand since 2019 (when she was an itty-bitty editorial fellow), and she’s also written for Delish, House Beautiful, and People. Follow her on Instagram to get some BTS of the editor life and chaotic NYC content. Also, feel free to hit her up if you ever wanna discuss the madness that is TikTok.
→ Continue reading at Cosmopolitan
