BEAMS BOY took the PUMA Suede and gave it a wardrobe instead of a colorway. Per Fullress, the PUMA × BEAMS BOY Suede Black is a special make-up built around BEAMS BOY's "BASIC & EXCITING" concept, priced at ¥15,400. Fullress has it releasing in late October, and BEAMS' own announcement set it for October 23 at BEAMS BOY stores and BEAMS online, with web pre-orders open.
The headline feature is the laces. The shoe comes with five pairs, one for each category BEAMS BOY cares about: black flat laces for "Basic" (the default), black reflective for "Sports," purple for "Outdoor," olive for "Military" and vintage-washed charcoal for "Work." Swap in the purple or olive pair and the shoe goes outdoorsy or military; go reflective and it turns sporty.
The upper is a long-pile black suede meant to age as you wear it, while the formstrip down the side is nylon, which won't change. That contrast between something that wears in and something that stays put is the "Exciting" half of the concept. The launch photos lean into it too, with each lace option styled on its own flat-lay of field notes, carabiners, denim and sewing kits.
Our take: it's an all-black Suede, so on paper it's the most basic shoe in the world. The five laces are what make it fun, and they're a smart way to get five looks out of one pair. It also keeps the year's run of Japanese PUMA Suede collabs going, after BILLY'S shaggy "Chocolate Fondue" pair. Five lace sets in one box is either peak versatility or a cry for help, and we're choosing versatility.
At ONENESS: This one is a BEAMS exclusive in Japan. Our current PUMA lineup lives under PUMA at ONENESS.
Report and photos via Fullress.
Source: Fullress (concept, five lace sets, materials, ¥15,400, late-October release; photos) and BEAMS on X (October 23 release at BEAMS BOY stores and BEAMS online, web pre-order).
