The Puma Clyde was named after basketball star Walt Frazier and first released in 1973.
Frazier, known by his nickname Clyde, worked with Puma on a signature basketball sneaker. The model drew from the brand’s Suede platform but was adapted for his playing style and personal preferences. Its low profile, suede construction, and bold color options made it distinctive on the court.
Frazier’s fashion reputation helped the shoe travel beyond basketball. The Clyde became associated with New York style and later with hip-hop and streetwear, making it an important example of an athlete signature model becoming a cultural product.
The shoe is sometimes incorrectly identified simply as the Puma Suede because the two share visual and material traits. The Suede is the broader model family; the Clyde is the specific signature version connected to Walt Frazier.