Austin Butler has been wearing Sambas for a while now. His collection includes a whole bunch of sought-after collaborative versions, and he’s often spotted in the silhouette’s elusive ‘Core Black’ colorway. But life works in mysterious ways. While The Bikeriders star still likes a Three Stripes-branded tracksuit every now and again, his sneaker allegiances seem to have shifted.
Earlier this summer, Butler stepped out in the Nike Cortez. Considering it’s one of the hypest kicks out there (Jeremy Allen White is also a fan), we’d forgive you for thinking it was just a one-off fluke. But there’s a pattern developing here.
Yesterday, on the set of the upcoming Darren Aronofsky thriller Caught Stealing, the actor was spotted in the Puma Easy Rider, a sneaker you might not have heard of before—and that’s probably the point. Basically, it’s a more accessible (and slightly more affordable) Samba alternative, and for in-the-know sneakerheads, it’s just as worthy of a spot on your shoe rack.
Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin
Puma introduced the Easy Rider in 1977 during America’s running-sneaker boom, and the current sneaker looks more-or-less identical to the OG. The version Butler’s rocking here is the sleek ‘Puma Black’, a charmingly retro spin on the silhouette equipped with a nylon base, lovely suede overlays, and a foam midsole lined with a vintage-inspired gum outsole. To finish it all off, Puma splashed its signature Formstrip logo across the sidewall, and stamped “Easy Rider” branding along the laterals in a shiny, metallic gold font.
It’s a great looking, easy-to-wear sneaker. But what makes the Puma Easy Rider even better is that it’s widely available in a bunch of colors—sans any anxiety—for an approachable $90 a pop. Sneaker enthusiasts, it sure seems like Austin Butler is changing sides; maybe you should, too.
This story originally appeared on British GQ.
