Puma and MINI Introduce the MINI_Motion Driving Shoe

Sections: Uncategorized Aug 5th, 2003 26 Comments

From MINIUSA PR (you can find the original MINI International press release in the comment section)

PUMA, the global sports-lifestyle brand, has joined MINI in a unique cross-discipline collaboration. The two leading brands have teamed up to produce a unique two-part driving shoe and a striking PUMA-styled concept MINI.
This September, MINI and PUMA introduce the ultimate shoe for motoring enthusiasts – the MINI_motion 2 part shoe. This driving shoe is part of MINI_motion, a signature collection of premium clothing and accessories from MINI. To celebrate this unique collaboration that takes a modern outlook on urban transportation, PUMA has also produced an innovative concept car, the PUMA MINI Cooper S that brings up-to-the-minute footwear technology into the automotive arena.

MINI_Motion 2 Part Driving Shoe
The MINI_motion 2 part shoe has similar features of a Formula 1 racing shoe and was developed using PUMA's extensive motorsport experience. The low-profile outsole resembles the natural shape of the foot, helping to ensure optimal movement while switching from accelerator, to brake. With the perfect mix of performance and fashion, this sport lifestyle shoe's most innovative feature is the removable interior bootie. The bootie has an outsole for improved traction that utilizes a screen rubber pattern identical to the main shoe's outsole. Ideal for comfort on longer drives, the bootie provides an unexpected feature in an unusual shoe.

Coming To America
MINI_Motion will be showcased at PUMA flagship stores in New York, South Cost Plaza, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara and San Francisco, while the European tour travels to Frankfurt, Milan and London. The MINI_motion 2 part shoe will be sold for a limited time at these locations for the duration of the tour and at other select specialty stores across the U.S. During the in-store promotion, consumers are invited to enter the PUMA concept MINI and sit behind the wheel to experience MINI “in motion”.

You can read the original March press release for MINI motion here.

Written By: MF Staff

http://www.chicagominiclub.com Matt

[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.
http://bridger.us/mini Gabe

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.
http://www.chicagominiclub.com Matt

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?
http://www.chicagominiclub.com Matt

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

i wonder if they have any english speaking employees?
http://bridger.us/mini Gabe

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.
Technomage

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.
http://bridger.us/mini Gabe

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.
http://bridger.us/mini Gabe

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!
John

Mini Motion? That is one of the domain names owed my Mark from minicooperonline.com. No wonder they are going after him.
http://bridger.us/mini Gabe

Yes it is the same.
John

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
http://www.chicagominiclub.com Matt

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.
http://bridger.us/mini Gabe

John – typically I'd be all for a boycott but I've been waiting for these shoes since they were announced in early March. Yves BÃƒÂ©har 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.
John

Gabe – Fair enough.
http://bridger.us/mini Gabe

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.
http://bridger.us/mini Gabe

(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.
Markus

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.
Michael

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

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.
http://bridger.us/mini Gabe

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.
http://www.chicagominiclub.com Matt

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

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.
http://bridger.us Gabriel Bridger

You can find more information at the just released MINI.Puma.com and at my latest MINI_Motion post: The MINI Puma Collaboration.
http://bridger.us Gabriel Bridger

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

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.
http://bridger.us/mini Gabe Bridger

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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