When it comes to affordable trainers, you can't beat Puma's crowd-pleasing range (even Austin Butler is a known fan – he wore Easy Riders all throughout Caught Stealing ). Its collaborative lines, though they cost a little more than the brand's standard pairs, still come at a much more reasonable price point than many other trainer collaborations, and the most lucrative by far has been its Pokémon partnership. Makes sense then that for the video game franchise's 30th anniversary, Puma is launching a new collection of trainers, and they might just make for the best range from this collaboration yet.

PUMA x Pokémon All-Pro Nitro 2 Pikachu

PUMA x Pokémon Fade Pikachu

The new Puma x Pokémon collection features five new pairs of trainers that reimagine four different models from the brand. Pikachu, the most famous pocket monster, is the face of two separate designs: a reworking of the All-Pro NITRO 2 basketball shoe with an electric yellow design, and a Fade trainer with a bright yellow upper that features black detailing and a jet black outsole.

PUMA x Pokémon Fade Umbreon

Other trainers in the line take design inspiration from other Pokémon: another Fade sneaker is modelled after Umbreon, the moonlight Pokémon, and features an upper that inverts the black and yellow of the Pikachu design, adding a yellow glitter detail to the outsole. It isn't quite as loud, but still features enough detailing to stand out from your standard black sneaker.

PUMA x Pokémon Inverse Mimikyu

PUMA x Pokémon Mostro Espeon

The last two trainers in the range feature more streamlined, muted colour palettes. The Puma Inverse, inspired by Mimikyu, features small black stripes against a mostly monochrome neutral beige palette, while the Mostro Espeon comes in baby pink with a hot pink heel tab and counter, as well as the silhouette's signature black spiked sole. Other than the Nitros, all the trainers come with a keychain of their respective Pokémon attached.

The collection ranges in price: the basketball shoes have an officially announced price of £120 in the UK, while the others have only been made visible on Puma's US website at the moment. The two pairs of Fade sneakers are listed at $125 (£94), the cream Inverses are $110 (£83) and the Mostros are $130 (£98). All will be available to preorder from Puma's website on 2 April.

Originally posted on Esquire UK