2 min readIT HAD BEEN a full decade since I’d last stepped foot at a music festival, so when I spent a weekend at Governors Ball, I forgot one crucial thing: just how much walking is involved. And I’m not talking about a casual stroll around the park. This is hours of bouncing between stages to catch different artists, trekking to the food vendors, making pit stops at the bathrooms, checking out brand activations, and wandering around the grounds just to soak it all in. I said all that to say, when you’re attending one of these festivals, it’s like a marathon, so you have no choice but to wear the most comfortable shoes.
That’s why I was grateful I wore the Puma Suede. The sneakers stayed comfortable and supportive from the first set to the final encore, which is about the highest compliment I can give any shoe after spending an entire day on festival grounds. Thanks to the thick rubber outsole, every step felt stable and well-cushioned without being overly soft or mushy. Instead of that ultra-plush, sink-in feeling some sneakers have, the Suede delivered a firmer, more supportive ride that kept my feet feeling secure as I crossed the festival grounds over and over again. The substantial rubber sole absorbed the constant pounding of walking across grass, pavement, and packed dirt while still providing enough structure to prevent my feet from feeling fatigued. Even late in the evening, when my legs were starting to feel the miles, my feet never felt beat up.
Pros
- Rubber outsole feels super comfortable all day long
- Timeless style that works with multiple fits
- Premium suede upper gave it a rich texture
- Comes with double set of laces
Cons
- The suede can easily pick up dust
Part of what makes the Puma Suede so impressive is that it’s been doing this for decades. Originally introduced in the late ‘60s, the silhouette has outlasted countless sneaker trends because it perfectly blends comfort and timeless style. The premium suede upper gives the shoe a rich texture that looks just as good with jeans on a casual weekend as it does with shorts at a summer festival. The only casualty was the suede upper picked up its fair share of dirt and grime. I mean, the top is black and by the end of the night, it was brown. That’s just the reality of spending hours on a grassy festival site. Then again, Governors Ball isn’t exactly where I’d debut a fresh-out-of-the-box pair of sneakers.
Still, the tradeoff was more than worth it. The Puma Suede provided a solid, grounded feel with every step, whether I was standing shoulder-to-shoulder in a crowd or hustling across the grounds to catch the next set. Ten years away from festivals taught me one thing: when you’re spending an entire day chasing your favorite artists around a giant field, comfort matters more than keeping your sneakers pristine.
As the Style and Reviews Editor for Men's Health, Joseph covers all-things fashion and grooming. Previously, Cheatham was a commerce editor for Spy, and he has written for Travel + Leisure.
