Everything You Need To Know About The PUMA GV Special Trainer

As worn by the Argentinian tennis legend, Guillermo Vilas, the PUMA GV Special trainer is simply one of them very special re-releases that doesn't come around too often.

If there was one thing that sportswear companies liked nothing more in the 1980s it was the elite tennis stars wearing their trainers. adidas had Ivan Lendl, Diadora had Bjorn Borg, Nike had John McEnroe & Puma had Guillermo Vilas. It wasn't by luck that the likes of the Diadora Borg Elite, the Nike Wimbledon or the PUMA GV Special ended up on the feet of young impressionable Casuals. Of course some of the sought after styles of the era were European exclusives that were never intended to be sold in the UK stores, but that's a topic of conversation for an other day. So why did expensive tennis trainers with state of the art technology become some of the most sought after footwear of the 1980s? It was simple. They were worn by champions and the PUMA GV Special trainer was no different. Above: The Argentinian tennis legend, Guillermo Vilas, holding the GV Special trainer. Alongside Lendl, Borg and McEnroe, Vilas also dominated the Gram Slam rankings, titles and trophies during the late 70s and early 80s. As tennis athletes themselves became faster and more powerful, they demanded a new breed of shoe that could keep up with the fast pace sport. Although relatively simple when compared to modern day trainer technology, the court silhouettes of the era really pushed the boundaries of what was physically possible for a performance shoe at the time. Whether it was perforations to the toe box, speed lacing systems or NASA designed sole technology, the 1980s was where the magic really started to happen for tennis trainers. Following on from the release of the PUMA California trainer in 1982, the PUMA GV Special trainer marked the next generation of PUMA court shoes, quickly becoming one of the most sought after trainer styles among the Casual elite of the early 1980s. Something like the PUMA equivalent of the Forest Hills, It looked so much different than say the PUMA Suede with its chunky PU sole unit and perforated toe box which other Casuals would eye up in awe. First released in 1983 at the height of 80s tennis fever and although Vilas' glory days were now some years behind him, his name on the elite tennis circuit still struck fear into his competition. Capturing the whole jeans with trainers trend of the era, the GV Special was the ultimate Dressers shoe. Above: The PUMA GV Special trainer which re-launches at 80s Casual Classics for October 2022. Following numerous re-releases over the last 10 years, the good news is the PUMA GV Special now returns in true OG form. Featuring some super clean white leather uppers with an off-white toe box and gum outsole, the revival release is sure to get the OG PUMA fans of the world talking. Other highlights include the signature perforations to the toe box, chunky midsole design & formstrip to the sidewalls. Finished off with PUMA branding in gold foiling to the sides and tongue, the GV Special is simply one of them very special re-releases that doesn't come around too often.