Everything You Need To Know About The PUMA Easy Rider Trainer

The PUMA Easy Rider Trainer is an OG running shoe from the late 1970s which is now revived from the archives.

Although the Easy Rider trainer was not connected with the rebellious road movie about two freewheeling motorcyclists from 1969, its influences on the world are just as great. The PUMA Suede had already captured the hearts of the running world, thanks to Tommie Smith and John Carlo at the Mexico Olympics in 1968 with their Black Power salutes. Moving into the late 70s & early 1980s, running trainer technology was changing in a big way. A simple suede silhouette would no longer cut it and the competition from adidas, Nike & New Balance was fierce. In PUMA's case they went all in with the Easy Rider. It was all about creating a running shoe that would prevent the most injuries, something which had not really been done before. The PUMA Easy Rider was probably one of the "easiest" running shoes to wear at the time. The design was simply all about the stress points, the support & preventing shoe related injuries. It was also a pretty cool looking casual trainer. Above: The PUMA Easy Rider OG trainer in saffron yellow/white now available from 80s Casual Classics. PUMA even drafted in Dr. Ronald Riggs, a long distance running coach from San Jose State as their chief technical consultant. With vigorous testing on a range of athletes, the aim was simple. Create a shoe that prevents injury from long distance running and they did a pretty good job of it. The designers at PUMA really zoned in on the specific stress points of a running shoe, which were obviously different than other sports, putting months of research into the exact dimensions the shoe needed to be. The Easy Rider was specifically geared up for long distance running, with uppers that were focused on support, stability and flexibility. The ground-breaking sole unit also featured shock absorbing rubber studs to minimise the overall stress put on the ankles & the heel. Above: The PUMA Easy Rider OG trainer in saffron yellow/white now available from 80s Casual Classics.

First introduced in 1977, the Easy Rider started a legacy of innovative running shoes from PUMA such as the Joy Rider, the Rockette, the Whirlwind & the Sky Rider which were also released in the late 1970s. 1980 saw the introduction of the PUMA Fast Rider which was one of the lightest running shoes available on the market at the time. The importance of the Rider series to PUMA is probably something like the equivalent of the ZX line to adidas.

Above: The PUMA Easy Rider OG trainer in blue/white now available from 80s Casual Classics. The Easy Rider is now treated to an archive release for the latest season. Now re-introduced from the archives, the classic runner still boasts its original casual charm & retro appeal. Featuring a mixture of suede and mesh uppers in a selection of bold colourways, the Easy Rider has some serious kerb appeal. Other features include Easy Rider branding to the sidewalls alongside the signature PUMA form stripe. A CMEVA midsole ensures all day comfort with the original studded outsole of the late 1970s model. Shop the classic PUMA trainer style now via the links. Above: The PUMA Easy Rider OG trainer in blue/white now available from 80s Casual Classics.