PUMA Clyde

Clyde

In 1971, PUMA signed skilful point guard and renowned fashion icon Walt “Clyde” Frazier, who had just led the New York Knicks to their first NBA title with an outstanding Game 7 performance. Two years later, Frazier was given his own signature basketball shoe, the PUMA Clyde – a highly functional basketball trainer defined by his distinctive design ideas.

The Clyde features a luxurious all-suede upper that is both flexible and durable. Its slim shape and minimal design incorporates a tapering heel tab with a four-sided cutout, a sleek tongue with a woven patch and convenient lace loop, a PUMA Formstrip with lines of breathable perforations either side and a straight eyestay with standard lacing. This gives a reliable fit, while the synthetic lining and soft sockliner add comfort.

A flat rubber sole supports the PUMA Clyde, offering a blend of durability, traction and comfort. Its spongy filling softens each step, while the squares in its gridded tread pattern contain X-shaped lugs for excellent grip. The sole unit of the 1973 original was built to be lightweight so that Frazier could remain nimble on the court, and today this makes it highly wearable as an everyday sneaker.

Aesthetically, the Clyde is classy and refined, with a range of colourways featuring tones and patterns that reflect Frazier’s ability to remain stylish both on and off the court. Its minimalist branding enhances versatility as a gently sloping Formstrip elegantly punctuates each flank, and the heel remains logo-free for a clean look. PUMA text has been subtly embossed onto the rear of the midsole and more lettering woven through the tongue patch beside a Cat logo. A final wordmark accents the lateral flank alongside Clyde’s famous signature in chic golden foil.

Even after Frazier retired from the NBA in 1979, the PUMA Clyde remained an important silhouette, first being worn by B-boys in the breakdancing scene and musicians in the hip hop community. By the 1990s, its flat sole and durable design had seen it adopted by skateboarders, and later it spread to a variety of music scenes, especially after it was worn by the Beastie Boys’ Ad-Rock on the cover of their punk-infused 1992 album, Check Your Head.

A significant return came in 2017 after PUMA signed its first NBA stars since 1998 ahead of collaborations with rapper Jay-Z, who was named Creative Director of PUMA Basketball, and community-based streetwear brand The Hundreds, which produced the ‘Decades’ – an edition honouring the silhouette’s decades-long legacy. In 2023, PUMA celebrated 50 years of the Clyde with more stylish collaborations from legendary fashion designers like Rhuigi Villaseñor and Dapper Dan, and progressive labels such as Australia’s Perks & Mini, New York’s Extra Butter and Japan’s nanamica.

Over more than five decades, the PUMA Clyde has proven itself to be a highly versatile shoe beloved by everyone from basketball players to music stars and skateboarding pros. Today, it is a sought-after lifestyle sneaker with a classic look, a strong nostalgic charm and a sophisticated edge.