How Puma Speedcat Ballet Sneakers Became My Go-To Sneakerina: Review

Last Updated on October 21, 2025 by Martina McKeough

Nobody was happier than me when I found out about the new sneakerina trend. Ballet flats are my favourite shoes ever so buying some that also had the comfort of sneakers made me rush online to find a pair that would work for me. A few minutes later a pair of Puma Speedcat Ballet Sneakers in black satin was in my shopping cart ready for me to try.

Now it is great that ballet sneakers are in fashion but I’m not usually one to follow fashion bandwagons. What I loved about this new look was that I currently need shoes that would work with the osteoarthritis in my knee. I need surgery so heels are out of the question so I’m always on the look out for shoe new styles I can wear that aren’t going to hurt me or make my knee pain worse.

Yes I could wear a normal pair of sneakers but as I rarely wear trousers and live in dresses I wanted a shoe that would look good with smarter clothes. These black satin slip on sneakers stole my heart as soon as I saw them but were they as good on as they looked online?

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First Impressions Of The New Sneakerina Style Flats

The Puma Speedcat ballet sneakers arrived a few days later and were well packaged in a black and white puma box with white tissue paper. As I opened up the box my first impression was they looked just as good in person as they did online.

These sneakerinas are different from many of the current styles as they are more delicate, less bulky and have a minimalist look about them.

Most of the sneaker is in black satin material however on the outiside of the shoe there is a black suede section and a cut out for added interest. The sole of the shoe is in black rubber and this extends to nearly half way up the heel section of the shoe. There are four elastic straps that hold your feet in the ballet sneakers.

I chose black satin and an all over black colour because I wanted the sneakers to almost appear hidden when I wore them. If you don’t mind brighter colours or logos then the brand also makes these in a number of different colourways including pink, red and black and white. They also do prints in the same style such as cow print or leopard.

The price was relatively reasonable at £70. Clearly they are not a budget shoe but for a branded trainer the price was not bad. In the United States I note the price is significantly cheaper.

I knew straight away that these would be a wardrobe staple because they would go with everything in my wardrobe. Plus they could be dressed up or down. I wouldn’t wear them to a really posh occasion but I had no problem wearing them to a restaurant and a bar this weekend as they look smart.

Comfort and Fit

My biggest worry when I buy new shoes is firstly whether they will even fit and secondly if they are comfortable. I no longer willing to put up with weeks of breaking in shoes anymore. If shoes don’t feel good on my feet the first time I put them then I send them straight back to the retailer.

As I put these on it was clear that even with my wide feet they worked really well. It helps that they have elastic on top which stretches to fit but I had no issues getting them on my feet. The first couple of times I bent over to put them on but now I just slip them on which is so much easier when you are in a hurry.

They were also comfortable which was enough to make me feel like doing a happy dance. They are not super cushioned but comfortable enough that I knew they would work with my feet. I always put comfort insoles into all my shoes so that I get the extra cushioning I want anyway.

Just as an aside I am a size 7 UK shoe size and these were true to size.

Arch Support and Heel Cushion

I usually like some arch support in anything I wear and these sneakerinas have an Orholite cushioned insole which has some support. If you need more then you’ll be pleased to hear that the insoles are removable so you can add your own.

They shoes also have a very padded heel cushion for comfort which I love as it helps keep my feet inside the shoe when I’m walking without any discomfort.

I’ve only added thin cushioned insoles to give just a little extra cushioning but that is because my feet need it and I do this in all my shoes.

I found the shoes to be lightweight and flexible when I walk in them which makes a nice change from some of the bulkier sneakerinas that are out there.

Break in Period

I’m never foolish enough to wear any shoes or sneakers outside the house immediately after I’ve bought them in case I get any pain. So with these I wore them for a few hours each day to get my feet used to them before I decided to wear them for a whole day.

I had no problems during this period and I could probably have got away with not doing this but I’m not one to take chances.

Wearing For Hours at a Concert

The Puma Speedcats first real test was when I decided to wear them to an Oasis concert.

In hindsight this wasn’t the best idea. Not because of any foot pain but because I hadn’t realised that the stadium I was seeing them in had beer all over the floor. Not a good combination with new shoes make from satin.

I had intened to spray them with a Crep Protect protector first but it got held up in the post so instead I had to go without. Luckily at the end of the evening they still looked as good as new and generally my feet felt ok. The only mild discomfort I had was with the elastic straps feeling tight at the end of the evening.

They clearly passed the wearability test first time round. Since then I have sprayed the shoes and hopefully this will give them more protection especially as winter is coming up.

Style & Versatility

As I mentioned earlier the style that I chose is really versatile because of the black satin giving the shoes an elevated look. This means I can wear them dressed up or down.

I would say the other speedcat styles are definitely more for casual wear because of their sportier look.

I’m a big lover of all black in sneakers which was why I was thrilled that Puma created a version in this style. I’ve also got my eye on their Mostro Fey style with straps. These are definitely more of a statement shoe and for casual looks.

Durability and Performance

After a few weeks of wearing these I’m happy to say that the sneakers still look as good as when I bought them apart from some minor creasing.

So far I haven’t had any scuffs or marks on them despite wearing them in autumn. I’m not sure how they would hold up on a really wet day so I try and only wear them when the weather is reasonable. If I had the leather versions I would be less concerned.

I’ve also found the traction to be really good which is hugely important as I worry about falling especially with my current knee issues. Again I wouldn’t wear them on icy pavements but they are fine with a little rain.

Cons

So far I have only found one minor issue and that is with the shiny satin look.

In certain lights the way the fabric shines makes it look as if you have a mark on your shoes when in fact there is no problem at all. Its a small issue but it might bug some people.

Would I Buy Them Again?

I was actually so happy with the sneakers that went online to buy a replacement pair. As they are selling out so quickly I had a job finding a site that still had them in my size.

Hopefully Puma will realise how popular these are and make more because it looks as if they are one of the biggest hits of the season.

These Puma Speedcat Ballet Sneakers are my favourite footwear buy of the year so far so if you are thinking of getting a pair run now before they sell out.

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