The Puma sneaker model named after basketball player Walt Frazier is the Puma Clyde. Frazier, a New York Knicks star, was famous both for his playmaking and for his distinctive fashion, and Puma developed a signature basketball shoe around his preferences.
Frazier’s nickname, “Clyde,” was inspired by Warren Beatty’s portrayal of Clyde Barrow in the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde. The shoe evolved from Puma’s Basket and used a slimmer, suede-based design that suited Frazier’s request for a lighter, less bulky basketball shoe.
The Clyde became especially notable because Frazier wanted different color combinations for his games. Its association with his flamboyant suits and Knicks career helped turn it from performance footwear into a streetwear classic. It is often confused with the Puma Suede because the two models share a related low-profile, suede aesthetic, but the Clyde is the Frazier signature model.