The New PUMA Rider Pack Celebrates The History Of Running

In 490 B.C., a Greek soldier called Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver a message. The run was 25 miles long and legend says that he keeled over and died immediately after the message was delivered. I reckon it’s because he wasn’t wearing the right shoes.

Eventually the ‘70s rolled around and along with donning flares, platforms and miniskirts, people were starting to lace up their trainers and head to the streets to run. Now referred to as ‘the running boom’, over 25 million Americans took up road running. Formerly an exclusive track sport, running took on a life of its own and became the cheapest, most inclusive way to get a workout and improve your health.

From this new craze, the PUMA Rider was born. One of the most technically advanced running trainers on the market at the time, it was made for the transition of track running to road running. Lightweight and flexible thanks to its minimal padding and lining, the silhouette was famous for its shock-absorbing outsole. Instantly recognisable even now, the corrugated sole was the equivalent of spiked cleats but for the pavement. With leather inserts that improved the wearer’s stability, this pair of runners pushed people to new personal bests, lengthened their stride and supported their run. A firm favourite in the running-shoe hall of fame, the classic Rider was unstoppable.

In celebration of the history of the Rider, PUMA is set to release a coveted Rider OG collection. In updated silhouettes with modern details and upgraded performance technology, the collection boasts three must-have pairs. The first, the Fast Rider OG, is the pair with the closest relation to the original design. With the style’s signature corrugated sole, the upper is nylon and suede for a slightly more premium finish.

The second silhouette in the range is the Future Rider OG. This style is way more modern with urban influences and on-trend streetwear appeal. The sole on this pair is subtly corrugated so you still get the grip but it’s more aesthetically pleasing. With a TPU heel stabiliser and retro colourway, the newly designed midsole offers high rebound and comfort. So there’s no excuse not to wear this pair every day.

The final silhouette in the collection is arguably the most modern. A testament to the chunky-trainer trend, the sole is thick, comfortable and springy, while the breathable upper is crafted from deconstructed mesh. Polished off with patches of super-sleek suede, the clue’s in the name with this pair: this is the future of running trainers.

With running now firmly established as one of the biggest sports in the world, records are being set, broken and smashed out the park left, right and centre. In recent news, Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge completed a marathon in just two hours, setting a new record and proving that the human body can be pushed further than we thought. Alongside Kipchoge are record breakers like Usain Bolt, Florence Griffith Joyner and Brigid Kosgei and as technological advancements continue to be made in the world of footwear, even their records are sure to be smashed in the future.

The new PUMA rider pack is set to bridge the gap between fashion and function. Built with the sportswear giant’s most advanced technology yet, the collection is made for running the streets and pushing boundaries. And we predict it’ll do just that.

Available to cop on the 26th October, set your alarms for this release. Because we predict a sell out.