PUMA R698

  • MODEL: PUMA R698
  • SERIES: PUMA SHADOW SOCIETY
  • PACK: PUMA SHADOW SOCIETY PACK 2
  • MADE IN: CHINA
  • MADE ON: --/12
  • ART.NO: 355157 01

As part of the second installment from the elusive group known as the PUMA Shadow Society, these R698 runners certainly present a variety of ideas. Primarily, who are the Shadow Society members? While this will likely never be revealed, it’s safe to say they know their shit, having shown their sneaker sense with a States make-over in 2011 as their first drop.

The main difference between the States model and the R698 is just about everything. While some might say the simplicity of the States silhouette makes it an easier shape to design for, others might argue the exact opposite. And we’d agree, to some extent, that designing and maintaining simplicity and cleanliness – while still providing exciting details to drool over – is a great feat fit for admiration.

Now that – cleanliness – is just what’s so successful about these burgundy and gold R698′s. If you look at the amount of texture, material, and shape variation going on in the trainer, it’s obvious to see the challenge presented in keeping the final outcome as clean as possible; they’re quite honestly a busy pair to begin with. Despite such a defying design task, the PUMA Shadow Society has really proven their merit, picking an overall appearance that whispers “I’m ever so much lusher than you” as one jogs past their competition (or, more likely, their less-well-dressed friends) in comfort.

Such a design makes marketing the shoe based on it’s Trinomic technology (useful for the added cushioning, durable sole, and overall more stable foothold) or the added goodies (such as the fantastic luxury lace bag with alternate colors for gettin’ crazy when the design is found to be too tame for you shouters out there) entirely unnecessary. From our first peak our prediction was that this pair would sell itself effortlessly. And while we’re certainly impressed by the Shadow Society’s work, we’re not surprised in the least, for without even knowing who they are we get the sense by now that they’re closer to the consumer (or better yet, connoisseur) side of things than that of the corporate. A sort of sneaker superhero crew, if you will. And based on these, we eagerly will.

written by Dylan Cromwell

photography by errol

special thanks to Lucy

  • http://eatmoreshoes.com/9741/puma-r968-354882-01/ PUMA R698 | eatmoreshoes

    [...] scratch? Fear not! For those that are turned off by these too cool hues they’ve dropped a hot burgundy and gold pair as well. Either way, hot or cold, if you dig a decent running shoe then you’d better move [...]

  • http://eatmoreshoes.com/9741/puma-r698-354882-01/ PUMA R698 | eatmoreshoes

    [...] scratch? Fear not! For those that are turned off by these too cool hues they’ve dropped a hot red “plum” pair as well. Either way, hot or cold, if you dig a decent running shoe then you’d better move [...]

  • http://eatmoreshoes.com/9637/puma-shadow-society-pack-2/ PUMA Shadow Society Pack 2 | eatmoreshoes

    [...] fresh trainers; both the R698 and the ZDC82 return in two colorways each. The R698 appears in a red “plum” and “rio” red colorway as well as a “shale” brown and “mosiac” blue getup, while the ZDC82 is [...]