There’s a fairly large portion of PUMA silhouettes that can easily double up as both the standard sneaker for street cred, as well as being comfortable enough to wear at the gym or going for a run. With the RS 9.8, you get those benefits here too. The sneakers seamlessly transition between the two as well, so you don’t have to carry an extra pair with you during the course of the day. With its lightweight PU and CMEVA midsole make for a very light stride, more so than many other silhouettes I own. For those who wear bulky shoes or sneakers, you know the battle of lugging around an extra 500g to 1KG on your feet trying to get around, which adds up over the course of the day. The RS 9.8 is one of the lightest sneakers in my closet, and with the added cushioning on the interior, footbed and outsole, I can walk around for hours at a time without even noticing the sneakers on my feet.

Unlike the other RS silhouettes from the collection, the RS 9.8 has a much more minimalist aesthetic with even less branding and logos across the frame. However, there are some hidden details on the sneaker, such as the rubber outsole with its asteroid-like patterns underneath. Overall, the details and quality of the RS 9.8 Space are great.