- Social media users assert toe and tongue of Puma’s all-new women’s trainers named ‘Storm Adrenaline’ shoes are reminiscent of Nazi dictator’s mustache and hairdo
- Puma’s black, white and grey ‘Storm Adrenaline’ women’s trainers have been likened to dictator Adolf Hitler
- The toe and tongue of the shoes is said to resemble the notorious Fuhrer’s slicked hairdo and mustache
- Images were shared online with one social media user declaring shoes ‘eight out of 10 on the Hitler scale’
New sneakers from Puma have been met with a mixture of ridicule and amusement on social media after users noted that from above, the shoes bear a certain resemblance to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.
The comparison first gained traction in Russia before spreading elsewhere, with the toe of the shoe being likened to the Nazi chief’s distinct hairstyle and its tongue reminding some of his toothbrush mustaches.
For many this was enough to fire off furious tweets about the sneaker.
One distressed observer, who claims to be a member of the Moscow City Duma, lashed out at Puma’s “disguised portrait” of the reviled Nazi leader.
Another displeased shoe connoisseur said the sneaker features the “face of a figure from the 20th century, and it’s not Charlie Chaplin.“
The accusations were somewhat softened by alternative interpretations of the shoe design. More literary-minded Russians proposed that the black toe and tongue combo actually created a portrait of famed author Nikolai Gogol.
It doesn’t appear that the social media upheaval has forced the shoes off shelves in Russia – more likely because ‘Storm Adrenaline’ comes in various colors and designs, none of which resemble much of anything.
It’s a bit of a stretch, but once you see the silhouette, it’s hard not to notice.
The shoes’ name — Storm Adrenaline — wasn’t helping much either, with some noting the word’s appearance in the name of the Nazi party’s paramilitary wing the Sturmabteilung (“Storm Detachment”), or SA.
Others begged to differ with the comparison, claiming the shoes were if anything more reminiscent of Russian dramatist Nikolai Gogol or US writer Edgar Allan Poe, both also fond of the wavy forelock and mustache combination.
The designers may have done it purely by accident, but the damage is done and many of these trainers will likely be remaining in their boxes, gathering dust.
While you could definitely argue that the Puma Hitler resemblance is just an ill-fated coincidence, the sneaker historians amongst us may hear some familiar bells ringing. Way back in the early part of the 20th century, Puma founder Rudolf Dassler and his brother Adolf famously supported the Nazi regime, even going so far as to secure membership to the Nazi Party. Their association with the party was a fruitful one. The Nazis spent an enormous amount of sport, thus helping to make the Dasslers one of the richest families in Herzogenaurach. Whatever your opinion, you can’t help but feel this isn’t quite the attention-grabbing release Pumas was after. Decide for yourself.
There are more than a few comments making their way around the Twittersphere.
A former owner of the style of trainer wrote: “I never noticed. I used the shoe twice and never realized it until now. “I have gotten rid of it. I’ve already sold it.”
Hopefully, he didn’t describe the shoes as resembling Adolf Hitler. Meanwhile, a Brazilian customer was disappointed in Puma for not having noticed the error. They said they thought the company should speak out about the issue, as there has been the suggestion it’s purely a ‘publicity stunt’.
The Brazilian customer commented: “In Brazil we like and we buy Puma, and as customers, we would like you guys to say something.
“They do look somewhat similar. Publicity stunt maybe.”
Others couldn’t see the resemblance and one took to Twitter, stating: “Adolf Hitler shoes? I did not see it directly. I think it’s a bit far-fetched. Good, I have Adidas, not Puma.”
LADbible has contacted Puma for comment.
This isn’t the first-time people reckon they’ve spotted a dead ringer for the late dictator in everyday objects.
Over the years, we’ve seen Hitler houses, cats, and even a goldfish. Possibly the worst of all the comparisons came back in 2017 when a man called Stuart Boyd got his passport through the post and noticed that a small printing error made it look like he had a Hitler-style mustache. Unlucky.
Publication Courtesy
LADBible, itsgoneviral.com, TheSun
