New kicks are hitting Fortnite, but there is a good deal of debate. PUMA boots will appear in the Item Shop this Saturday at 8pm ET, so the reaction is a bit all over the map. The drop consists of PUMA x LAFRANCÉ Butterfly (1000 V-Bucks), PUMA Suede XL (800 V-Bucks), and PUMA Speedcat OG (800 V-Bucks). Some gamers are all for getting the digital sneakers; others are roasting the whole concept or begging for some other shoes.
Let’s begin with the actual kick. The Butterfly PUMA x LAFRANCÉ, being the priciest one at 1000 V-Bucks (around $10), kind of gives off some high fashion vibe. The Suede XL and the Speedcat OG are cheaper options, but paying 800 V-Bucks for anything virtual is still a matter to muse upon. Players like @DreamySenora are hyping it up, calling the Butterfly design “wow 👏🔥.” Then you get @Not_AIIan commenting, “When will Fortnite get it that not a single soul is buying fucking shoe skins????” Ouch.
But the real drama isn’t about the shoes; it’s about what has been left out of this drop. The players are begging for heels, slippers, Crocs, or anything other than these. @BiteThyLips outright asked, “When we getting heels???😭 I need to run around in pumps as Poseidon.” And @neversbeme would like to add, “i speak for everyone when i say we want more slippers and crocs.” Fair enough? Picture that: dropping into a match in fluffy house slippers. Iconic.
Another point for this being some kind of debate would have to be the price tag. @Mahveer_ said it was “late-stage capitalism speedrunning itself,” and honestly? Fair enough. I mean it is wild to pay ten dollars for shoes you can’t even wear IRL, but hey, the entire economy of Fortnite expounds on flexing the digital swag. Some gamers like @RIPTWITTA are buying smart: “Only purchased 2 kicks, the shark slippers and bunnies (600 V-Bucks each) 😊 everything else overpriced.” Smart.
And then you have the usual crazy: @GoofyTooCold chimed asking if Squid Game skins were dropping (spoiler: not yet), @batatatamata19 is still waiting for the One-Punch Man collabs, and @prestostorm99 just wants Disco Dancers back. From one vibe to another.
So, sell or not these PUMA kicks? Probably. Fortnite players love exclusives, and some are already calling the black-and-white colorway “clean asf” (@ibjnks). Epic is really in need of some catchy heels or Crocs.
Bottom line: If you dig the whole virtual sneaker culture, set a date for Saturday. If not, at least you got the Twitter drama for free.
