By sneakerologist
Published: March 17, 2008
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Motorcycle racing is said to be one of the world's most dangerous sport. You are hurtling down the race track at over 200 miles an hour, and the smallest mistake can prove to be very, very costly. Sometimes, as we watch the raw action of MotoGP unfold on television, we become witnesses to these unfortunate mistakes; our favourite motoracing star flies off his motorcycle, and tumbles at least a dozen times before coming to a stop. He then gets up, dusts his leathers, and goes on to pick up his motorcycle. The first thing we think of when we see all that is, how can anyone survive a fall like that?
The answer is super-protective equipment, racing boots included.
Racing a motorcycle is very different from racing a F1 car - there are no high tech cockpits to protect you from a crash; the only thing which makes a difference between walking away unharmed and spending the next six months in a hospital is what you wear. It would not be wrong to say that a professional motorcycle race is the ultimate litmus test for any shoe, and Puma gets tonnes of brownie points for trying to push the boundaries of performance and innovation through its partnership with Ducati.
Starship trooper: The Puma 1000 racing boot developed by the brand for MotoGP riders. An exoskeletal structure protects the ankle from twisting and also doubles up as a side impact protection device.
Puma's collaboration with Ducati is recent news (2006), but time will tell whether they will be able to make inroads into the super competitive arena of hyper race boots, which is currently dominated by the likes of Sidi, Dainese, Alpinestars and Oxstar. But it doesn't stop us from having fun with Puma-Ducati's series of 'Moto-lifestyle' street shoes, of which the red Ducati Panigale is the brightest star. The shoe takes its name from Borgo Panigale, the Bologna city area in Italy where Ducati has had its headquarters since 1926.
Earn your stripes: The Puma-Ducati Panigale street shoe. Named after the legendary area of Borgo Panigale, the shoe takes inspiration from Ducati's motorcycle design language and Puma's own MotoGP racing boots.
Ferrari minus two wheels: The Ducati S4R monster. In terms of design inspiration, the Ducati Panigale street shoe borrows heavily from the S4R: the racing stripes, and the mesmerizing red and anodised silver color combo.
The Panigale is one of the first shoes to come out of Puma-Ducati's moto-inspired street collection, and it shows. Soft red leather upper is used throughout the shoe, the S4R type racing stripes run wild all over the upper and right down onto the outsole; the shoe uses REAL carbon fibre bits on the heel, and the Ducati logo sits proudly on the heel and the bright red striped footbed.
The real thing: Wonder of wonders, this mean sneaker has real pieces of Carbon fibre panels on the heel, and that too on both sides! The racing stripes extend from the upper right down throughout the length of the outsole, reminiscent of the S4R stripes. The welded black Ducati logo is the icing on the cake.
Borgo Panigale's destiny child: The Ducati logo sits nicely on the striped footbed. The material used in the lining and footbed cover is a shiny red fabric, not unlike the gleaming red fuel tank of the S4R monster. The Panigale uses an EVA strobel beneath the sockliner (see Complete Phasis IV review) so the shoe is surprisingly well cushioned.
The slider story: Notice the small rubber wraparound piece just where the silver Puma 'form' stripe begins on the right shoe. This rubber piece is inspired by the forefoot sliders on the 1000 racing boot. Have a look again at the white boot, and you'll see the connection. Debossed Ducati logos on the leather upper adds an extra touch of style.
The Panigale is a great example of how a moto inspired minimalistic design and everyday comfort can happily co-exist. While reviewing the Scuderia Ferrari boots, I had lamented about the Spartan cushioning, but the Panigale is a different animal altogether. The soft leather upper feels plush, and an EVA strobel lies hidden below the red striped footbed. If that was not enough, the Panigale also has a concealed compression molded EVA midsole which makes them comfortable enough to be lounging around the whole day in, while all your friends turn green with envy. I don't know if the carbon fibre parts have anything to do with it, but at 322 grams, the shoe is as light as light can be, making for a perfect fairy tale ending.
Encore, Puma-Ducati.
The Lowdown:
Shoe name: Puma Panigale (Ducati)
Color reviewed: Puma red-black-Puma silver
Retail price (India): INR 4999
Estimated US retail: $ 150
Available at: All Puma stores and select multibrand stores.
Weight: 322 grams for a half pair of size UK 10 / US 11
Recommended for: Everyday street use.
Not recommended for: Riding, motorcycle racing.
Verdict: A red hot MotoGP inspired sneaker which is unexpectedly comfortable. With gleaming carbon fibre bits and shiny stripes, this shoe is an absolute head turner and very, very desirable.
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