Allow me to put any doubt to rest: the Puma Speedcat Ballet Suede sneakers really are that girl. At first glance, these shoes might look too flat and have absolutely no support. But don't let initial assumptions fool you; the suede Speedcat sneakers are the most comfortable shoes I own (and I own a lot of shoes).
My feet and I have a complicated relationship. They're sensitive, flat, prone to blisters, and constantly get cuts on the heels. All of that combined with my chronic pain? Let's just say, they're not very good at supporting me or my NYC walking needs.
I live in Brooklyn, and my commute to Manhattan for work takes 40 minutes. So, I need a shoe that can get me through walking, stairs, subway dirt, and still look stylish for many brand events, dinners, and office work.
I've tried way too many shoes to name, and I've always been wary of sleek and low-profile sneakers, assuming they're too close to the ground to provide any real stability to my weak feet. I first heard of the Puma Speedcat Ballet earlier this year on TikTok, with thousands of testimonials of people swearing they're the most comfortable shoes they've owned. I took a chance and bought them myself to see.
They're way more cushioned than you'd expect. The Ortholite footbed is truly a game-changer, and combined with the soft padding at the heel? Insane. You literally feel like you're walking on a sturdy and stable (but still soft) cloud. And still, it looks good!
These shoes are insanely easy to style, going with everything in your closet. I don't have to think about it; most of the time, I'm grabbing them without even looking at the finished outfit in the mirror.
I'm in between sizes; depending on the shoes, I'm either a 9 or 8.5. For these, because I planned to only wear them with socks, I got them in a 9. They were perfect for exactly that, but a little too big to wear them with bare feet.
I was so excited, I wore them while there was still a little snow out in the winter. Definitely wouldn't recommend that, because they got a little dirty. But still, I like to believe the dusty pink holds up until I finally get around to cleaning them.
My one negative of the Puma Speedcat Ballet Suede is that they're not weather-proof. When I got caught in a crazy downpour a few weeks back, water easily got all over and inside the shoes. My socks were soaked, and I was basically walking on water. I didn't do anything to them when I got home and left them to dry by the door.
I'm not sure how or why it happened, but a week later, I tried to wear the shoes with socks on...and they were too tight. Maybe I'm insane (and my feet grew) or the universe heard my yearning to wear these ballet sneakers as flats, but I exclusively wear them barefoot now, and they're just as comfortable (maybe even more) as they used to be with socks.
I don't have concrete proof of it, and I wasn't able to find out if this happened to anyone else online, but be warned. Don't wear them in the rain unless you've sprayed them with a suede water repellent. If this is a real worry, I'd recommend getting the leather version.
Still, they are more than worth that really weird risk. I've never recommended a shoe more than this one. I'm itching to get more styles and versions. If you haven't gotten your hands on it, there's no better time.
Puma’s viral Speedcat sneakers aren't just cute; they're also extremely comfortable for everything from city commuting to picnic dates.
Inspired by real ballet slippers, these shoes come in a black or white colorway and feature a leather upper, an elastic closure, a textile sockliner, a squared shell toe, and a bow to top it off.
Inspired by real ballet slippers, these shoes come in a black or white colorway and feature a leather upper, an elastic closure, a textile sockliner, a squared shell toe, and a bow to top it off.
These shoes are more ballet slippers than sneakers, with their satin upper, sheepskin-inspired lining, satin laces, and a comfy elastic heel.
These JW PEI sneakers are giving actual ballet slippers—tie-up ribbons and all. Thanks to the stretchy back, they’re also ridiculously comfortable.
The Adidas Barreda sneakers have a new chic burgundy colorway that's simply perfect for fall. While these run bigger and are not as cushioned as the Puma options, these sneakers are still comfortable, stylish, and the crisscross straps give them a unique touch.
Looking for more trendy shoes? Shop the best viral tabi dupe flats!
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