Louis Gabriel Nouchi & PUMA Say Sock-Sneakers Are Here To Stay

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Summary

  • Designer Louis Gabriel Nouchi has collaborated with PUMA on a new Mostro Sock sneaker, featuring a slip-on sock upper and slim, spiked sole.
  • Inspired by para-athlete needs, the minimalist design will be available in black and khaki starting September 27.

Designer Louis Gabriel Nouchi is building on his partnership with PUMA by releasing a new version of the classic Mostro shoe. Following his recent slip-on Mostro Mule, he’s now introducing the Mostro Sock – a streamlined sneaker with an upper that’s designed like a sock.

This updated version of the classic 1999 shoe takes the minimalist design even further than the Mostro Mule. It features only spiked rubber details around the sole. Available in black and khaki, the shoe has a breathable knit upper. Inspired by practical design, it’s a laceless slip-on created with para-athletes in mind, and a simple heel tab makes it easy for anyone to put on the extended sock-like shoe.

Nouchi’s new PUMA shoe has a similar look to popular minimalist sock sneakers from brands like Balenciaga and Yeezy. Balenciaga’s Speed Sock, created in 2017 under Demna, was a standout design with its black sock-like upper, small logo, and white athletic sole. More recently, in 2023, Yeezy’s YZY Pods took the idea even further, using extremely thin rubber soles for an even simpler design.

Sock sneakers have been popular for a while, but it’s the trend of very thin soles that seems to be sticking around. We’ve seen a surge in minimalist shoes like Vibram FiveFingers and Vivobarefoot recently, and now bigger brands like LGN and Puma are releasing their own versions. This suggests that both thin soles and flexible, sock-like uppers are likely to remain popular for the foreseeable future.

The Louis Gabriel Nouchi x PUMA Mostro Sock will be released on September 27th at louisgabrielnouchi.com and at select stores that carry PUMA.

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2025-09-23 23:56