While Puma Basketball conjures up images of LaMelo Ball of Breanna Stewart, the German sportswear brand’s roster of NBA athletes covers much more than you’d think. Players like RJ Barrett, Deandre Ayton, Dennis Schröder, and, more recently, Tyrese Haliburton have signed endorsement deals with Puma. Three of the four players mentioned have previously launched colorways of Puma’s inline performance basketball sneaker, the Puma All-Pro Nitro, with RJ Barrett now getting a second colorway on the silhouette.
Channeling the color scheme of his Toronto Raptors, the Canadian basketball star applies black and grey to the engineered mesh base, while pops of red land on the Formstrip and the fused TPU strip holding the black lace set in place. The Raptors’ purple is applied to the suede paneling on the medial toe, vamp, eyestays, and heel overlay. For branding, Puma retains its spot on the top of the tongue of the right shoe but gives up its position for an RJ Barrett logo on the left pair.
RJ Barrett’s logo contrasts the black sockliner and insole with its red finish, matching the red Puma logo applied to the heel tab. Nods to RJ Barrett are also found on the upper medial side, as “Made Different” is used near the heel. This phrase refers to the Facebook show that followed Barrett as he entered the NBA. Finishing the sneaker is the black NITRO Foam-cushioned midsole with silver, white, and red speckle details and a clear outsole that splits the phrase “Made Different” between the left and right shoes.
The RJ Barrett x Puma All-Pro Nitro Raptors was released today, February 25, 2025, and is available now through Puma and select retailers online and in-store. In men’s sizing, retail is set at $130. Download the Sole Retriever mobile app to stay updated on the latest releases, raffles, news, and more in the sneaker and streetwear world.
Images via Puma
Images via Puma
Sneakerhead from South Florida who turned his passion into a career. When not writing for Sole Retriever, I enjoy attending concerts and catching the latest movies. Email: nick@soleretriever.com
