PUMA – Nubuck Clyde
ART NUMBER: 10116-6
MADE ON: 02/92
MADE IN: CHINA
FACTORY: THC
There are some eras and periods of trainer production that have some of the best made products in a brands history. Apart from the mid 1970’s made in Yugoslavia heyday, it’s arguable to say that PUMA’s best period was the early 1990’s when they had their production out of Taiwan. It wasn’t just the odd pair here and there that were of superb quality, but a continuous succession of faultless shoes. One of the stand-out pieces from this time was the Clyde Nubuck Pack, of which this Plum pair is the most sought after.
The collection of Clyde’s consists of 6 different colourways and there’s also an additional Fuscia coloured sample pair. Unless I personally owned them, I wouldn’t know they existed. For shoes that were made for the general market, their quality and appeal are far superior to the majority of the hyped releases over the years.
The Clyde model is generally known to be more bulky and wider fitting than the Suede. This is something Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier added to the model to make them more appropriate while playing on the court. But the Clyde’s that were made at this time resembled the form of the Suede much more. This fact lent itself particularly well to the Nubuck versions.
The whole upper of the shoe is formed in buttery smooth leather with matching tonal cotton laces and outer-sole. This is offset by the Black leather lining and midsole. If there was to be any down part to these shoes would be that the interior lining has been known to cracking and peel away. But on shoes that are 23 years old and look as good as these do, it’s a small price to pay.
On a personal note; I thought I was one shoe away from completing the whole set after tracking down the Blue pair which eluded me for too long. Only then to later find out there was an additional colourway, but one day I’ll have all the official pairs plus my unreleased sample version in a complete set!
Photography: errol
Text: Professor B
