Puma and MINI Introduce the MINI_Motion Driving Shoe

Matt Aug 5th, 2003 Link

[quote]… The quantity and sales period are limited: fashion-conscious drivers, sneaker lovers and visitors to the International Motor Show (IAA Frankfurt, 11th – 21st September 2003) will only be able to purchase the shoe there from 8th until 26th September. A mere 2,000 pairs have been designated for the retail market worldwide; 350 are for the European market. [/quote]

well, there goes any hope of acquiring a pair. they're a bit pricy at ~$190.

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Gabe Aug 5th, 2003 Link

I rarely do this but I've got to put out a plea for someone to help me figure out how to get this shoe. Aparently living in Chicago isn't a good idea if you want MINI_Motion apparel. And since I don't plan on making any trips to the cities listed above during those spcific time frames it would look like I'll have no opporunity to purchase them by normal means.

I've been wearing Pumas for over ten years now and have probably three active pair in my daily trainer rotation. Long story short I love Pumas.

One of the issues I have currently is that my feet are rather large – 13(US) to be exact. Because of that many shoes I own don't fit well in the smaller pedal area that the MINI happens to have – which makes this pair seem perfect.

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Matt Aug 5th, 2003 Link

perhaps Paul over at MINI2? and if you get a lead, let me know, i want too want a pair.

perhaps an arrangement with a Puma reseller in the listed cities? call and have them send a pair?

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Matt Aug 5th, 2003 Link

PUMA CONCEPT STORE ZEIL 72 – HAUS AMMERSCHLAEGER FRANKFURT60313 Tel.-Nr.: 06921997636

i wonder if they have any english speaking employees?

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Gabe Aug 5th, 2003 Link

Emails have been sent to the NY/San Fran Flagship Stores and for good measure the Chicago store.

I'll post any info I get.

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Technomage Aug 5th, 2003 Link

Hey gabe, I live near the santa monica store. When it comes this way I get pick up a pair for you if you are intrested. the shoes are very much like the current PUMA driving shoe only 2x the cost. The current one does not go into 2 parts. One of the SCMM members has them and he LOVES them.

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Gabe Aug 5th, 2003 Link

Technomage – many many thanks for the offer. I may just have to take you up on it.

Do you have any info on the regular Puma driving shoes? I only saw the hi-tops listed on their site. I'm looking for something more casual that I can wear around as well as in the car – something just like the MINI_Motion shoes.

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Gabe Aug 5th, 2003 Link

Okay I found the regular Puma driving shoes here. The RENNBAHN '50 looks a little like the MINIMotion shoe but if I'm going to spend $110 on those I might as well go for it all and get the MINIMotion!

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John Aug 5th, 2003 Link

Mini Motion? That is one of the domain names owed my Mark from minicooperonline.com. No wonder they are going after him.

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Gabe Aug 5th, 2003 Link

Yes it is the same.

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John Aug 6th, 2003 Link

Then I say boycott the shoes and any Mini/BMW related accessories. PUMA will thank Mini/BMW lawyers for the way they treat their customers and fans

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Matt Aug 6th, 2003 Link

just called, it's one heck of a number. 011 49 69 21 99 76 36 they do speak english. they're only getting 120 pair, however he said he does believe they will be sent to the concept stores in the states. He also suggested we fax, as i couldn't spell/understand his e-mail address, our request to: 011 49 69 21 99 77 54 and to enclose our e-mail address for a response.

it's probably not necessary to pursue the German route as they are coming to the US, but it's an option.

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Gabe Aug 6th, 2003 Link

John Рtypically I'd be all for a boycott but I've been waiting for these shoes since they were announced in early March. Yves B̩har is one hell of a designer and this shoe is exactly what I've been looking for over the years.

So instead of personally boycotting products I'll call and write BMW, sign the petition, and use my site to help when I can.

Of course this is a personal choice and I totally respect people who would boycott the MINI_Motion line. It's just that this line of apparel is going to be so limited in it's production and geographical availability that it may not be the best target for something like this.

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John Aug 6th, 2003 Link

Gabe – Fair enough.

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Gabe Aug 6th, 2003 Link

Here's part one of the international press release that was originally on the front page (replaced by the more condense MINIUSA version):

MINI has been looking for an answer to the question of how comfort, design and driving pleasure can be experienced in a new way. The answer is a partnership with PUMA. As a result, the automobile brand and sports article company have entered into an unusual, international cooperation: The innovative driver's shoe is called MINI Motion and combines the design competence of MINI and the longstanding know-how of PUMA.

The functional shoe has been developed under the slogan of “driving pleasure”. Its special feature is a two-in-one solution. It consists of a light inner shoe and sturdy outer shoe made of high-quality leather. Whilst the outer shoe prevents pressure spots from developing, thanks to its striking asymmetrical surface – e.g. when changing foot between the accelerator pedal, brake and clutch, the soft inner shoe is particularly suitable for driving long distances because of its protective rubber sole. The visual design of the MINI Motion is modelled on the successful PUMA motorsports shoe line. A large velcro fastener provides support across the instep of the foot. The flat outer sole, with its perfect profile, reproduces the natural shape of the foot and thereby ensures optimal stability. Discreet details such as the geometric stitching and the PUMA design logo with contrasting colours give the shoe a classical look.

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Gabe Aug 6th, 2003 Link

(part two)

The MINI Motion shoe comes in grey and charcoal grey and can be obtained in the PUMA Concept Store on the Frankfurter Zeil at a price of 150 Euros. The quantity and sales period are limited: fashion-conscious drivers, sneaker lovers and visitors to the International Motor Show (IAA Frankfurt, 11th – 21st September 2003) will only be able to purchase the shoe there from 8th until 26th September. A mere 2,000 pairs have been designated for the retail market worldwide; 350 are for the European market.

MINI and PUMA will be displaying a vehicle especially designed for this cooperation in front of the PUMA Concept Store in Frankfurt from 8th until 26th September. The interior trim of the vehicle (seat covers, controls, steering wheel and floor mats) adopts the current and future materials from the PUMA shoe design. The grey and yellow shades used reflect the typical two-tone design of MINI and are also oriented towards the colour design of the MINI Motion shoe. This special kind of MINI is a design experiment, in which the interior trim of a car is designed with materials normally used in other areas. Capturing the continuity of motion, the PUMA formstrip originates from the front tyre's point of origin and extends along the side of the vehicle. The tonal detailing of the formstrip as well as the leaping PUMA cat offer a subtle cue to PUMA's signature look.

This vehicle will be stopping over at two other places in Europe: at the PUMA Stores in Milan and London. The MINI Motion shoe will also be available there for about two weeks. After this trip, the vehicle will be displayed as an exhibit at the MINI Heritage Center in Oxford. A further automobile of this kind will be doing the rounds at the PUMA Flagship-Stores in the U.S. visiting New York, San Francisco, Santa Monica and Santa Barbara.

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Markus Aug 6th, 2003 Link

I would agree with and support the suggestion of others to boycott the purchase of any non-essential MINI accessories until BMW of North America retracts their move to prevent MINI enthusiasts websites from using MINI in the domain name!

Let's show MINI USA how much they owe to enthusiast websites. Let's boycott MINI apparel. Let's show MINI USA that BMW of NA is shooting themselves in their own foot. Let's show them that they are in fact undoing all of their wonderful grass-roots advertising campaign.

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Michael Aug 6th, 2003 Link

Man. I wouldn't make my dog wear those things.

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Thomas E Spray Aug 6th, 2003 Link

The shoes are bad, as ugly. Additionally I will be buying no maore MINI products, as a result of their hob-nail-boot tactics they are taking with numerous enthusiast sites like minicooperonline and others. I love the car but the company and their lawyers will get nothing more from me. Yes I have cancelled my JCW Works kit. This site could be next.

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Gabe Aug 6th, 2003 Link

To each their – the shoes are definitely a bit euro for many people's taste I'm sure.

And best of luck with boycotting – if you still want to buy MINI products I'd recommend looking at Out Motoring or other independently owned shops.

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Matt Aug 7th, 2003 Link

always been and adidas man myself, but i've been surfing through their online store and find myself liking alot of what they offer.

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Andrew Sep 4th, 2003 Link

I know that MINIUSA was pursuing Matt from MCO for the Minimotion.com website, but when I entered it just now, it went to a site dealing with animatronic minature animals and similar. Mini-motion.com told me that I don't have access to view pages on the server. Where can I find more info on this stuff? Last time I looked, the MINIUSA site showed a couple of pics and that was about it.

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Gabriel Bridger Sep 4th, 2003 Link

You can find more information at the just released MINI.Puma.com and at my latest MINI_Motion post: The MINI Puma Collaboration.

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Gabriel Bridger Sep 4th, 2003 Link

Oh and for the record it's actually Mark at MCO.

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Andrew Sep 5th, 2003 Link

Yeah, I knew it was Mark, temporarily mixed him up with Matt at Cooperflags who is also being hassled by MINIUSA. But there's no way (that I could see) to edit my post.

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Gabe Bridger Sep 5th, 2003 Link

You're right there isn't a way to edit yet for individual users but I'm hoping to get that changed before too long.

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