PUMA introduces first cross category collection in the “Year of Speed”

World’s Fastest Man Inspires Fastest Performance

Products in the ‘Year of Speed’

Cape Town, South Africa (22 May 2012) – PUMA is proud to introduce evoSPEED, the groundbreaking performance collection that for the first time in the Sportlifestyle brand’s history, features product offerings for all PUMA sport categories.  Inspired by the Usain Bolt  – the World’s Fastest Man, the collection answers every athlete’s need for speed by taking performance technology and innovations and incorporating them in footwear and apparel developed for running, football, motorsport, golf, cricket and indoor sports.  evoSPEED will be available from 1 June 2012.

Designed under the criteria of “light, flex, and fit”, all evoSPEED footwear features lightweight materials, increased flexibility and an optimized fit that enables a greater freedom of movement without compromising support, to enhance speed. For the first time in PUMA’s history, the classic Formstripe has been changed and a new lightening version, a signature graphic that emphasizes speed and harkens back to Usain Bolt, will be featured on the complete evoSPEED footwear collection.

The evoSPEED styles will be worn by PUMA’s key athletes in running (e.g. Usain Bolt), rugby (e.g. Schalk Burger), football (e.g. Sergio Aguero and Steven Pienaar), cricket (e.g. Yuvraj Singh and AB de Villiers), and golf (e.g. Rickie Fowler and Warren Abery) this summer and beyond.

Running

Inspired by the competitive performance spikes that Usain Bolt will be wearing during the 2012 Diamond League and at the Olympic Games in London, the BOLT evoSPEED Runner is a light, breathable and flexible trainer built to enhance speed. Through evoFOAM, a lightweight midsole cushioning, this trainer offers a fast, responsive and smooth ride. The BOLT evoSPEED Runner upper also has a modern and fresh aesthetic, to bring a strong lifestyle appeal to the track.

Football and Rugby

Part of this cross category collection is the evoSPEED 1 FG, which will be worn by PUMA’s top International football players including Sergio Aguero, Radamel Falcao and Mario Gomez, as well as local players such as Steven Pienaar, Jabulani Ncubeni and Augustine Leonard.

The next generation in PUMA’s Speed silo, the evoSPEED 1 FG is one of the lightest boots in the market and is designed to help players achieve top speed. The upper features a soft and ultrathin microfiber material whilst stability is provided by the internal EverFit cage, which provides a proper foot-hold needed for a performance product.

The structurally engineered lightweight one-piece outsole provides stability and support, utilising high-tech materials to minimize weight and to maximize its flexibility and reactivity. The evoSPEED 1 FG features the new PUMA evoAptoLast, a mould that enhances the fit of the shoe and is specifically engineered for performance products, and an external heel counter, which secures an excellent heel fit.

SA rugby players like Schalk Burger, Gio Aplon and Ryan Kankowski will also be sporting the evoSPEED 1 FG from 1 June.

Motorsport

The evoSPEED Mid is the newest style in the PUMA Motorsport range, and took its inspiration directly from the Formula 1 race track and the performance of World Class drivers such as Fernando Alonso of the Scuderia Ferrari F1 Racing Team. The shoe features a full EVA comfort midsole, an internal EverFit cage for enhanced fit, and a heel wrap up for better grip. For extra durability, a rubber spray toe-cap has been added. The minimalistic pattern piecing and the asymmetrical lace system showcase the focus on function for this style.

Golf

For the golf category, speed is represented with the FAAS Trac evoSPEED. The latest PUMA Golf shoe will be worn by COBRA PUMA GOLF superstar Rickie Fowler at the U.S. Open and other 2012 golf tournaments. As with the other evoSPEED collection styles, the FAAS Trac evoSPEED provides maximum flexibility to enhance a 360° movement as well as very lightweight materials. These light and highly functional materials deliver unmatched protection through extremely durable waterproofing, taped seams and high breathability to shield the athlete from external forces. The outsole combines directionally molded S2Quill spikes with replaceable S2Quill spikes for ultimate grip on the course. The spikes are situated within a stepped outer frame with additional traction elements to provide a stable, supportive platform. The FAAS Trac evoSPEED further provides improved balance, feel and lateral stability.

Local talent such as Warren Abery, Jake Redman and Vaughn Groenewald will be seen on the golf course in the new FAAS Trac evoSPEED.

Cricket

SA cricketers AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Albie and Morne Morkel, Rilee Russouw and Heino Kuhn will be sporting the new evoSPEED Cricket Spike, one of the lightest cricket spikes in the market. The upper features a soft and ultrathin material whilst stability is provided by the EverFit cage that is also being used for the football and motorsport evoSPEED Footwear styles. A mesh window gives breathability and the anatomically engineered one-piece outsole provides stability and support.

For more information, please visit www.puma.com.

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