PUMA LaFrance RNR “Flare” Light Sand/Orange Glo 312165-01

While LaMelo Ball’s on-court persona and play style can be a wedge issue for basketball fans, what we can all agree on is the wide success of his signature line. Almost unanimously accepted within younger demographics and additionally catching on in the adult set, the MB.01 and its successors propelled the point guard into a lifestyle lane, debuting with the PUMA LaFrance. As anticipation builds for the PUMA MB.05, he and the brand are taking another spinoff stop, unveiling the PUMA LaFrance RNR.

Despite the title, the shoe is more immediately apparent as a trail-inspired proposition, owing to the jagged, lugged traction underfoot and the hiking-adjacent lace unit, replete with thick, rope-like laces. Regardless of which vertical it shuffles into upon release, they’re equally undeniable as a LaMelo proposition, carrying on the tendency in the superstar’s line to creatively adapt branding hits: oversized, throwback “LF” bubble letters sit on the tongue, while the eye-stays sport synthetic, jagged “LaFrance” lettering.

Head underfoot for more intrigue, as the PUMA LaFrance RNR shifts away from its predecessor’s straightened, skateboard-adjacent platform, instead adapting the wavy geometry of the MB.04’s sole. Within it, you see further links to the PUMA LaFrance proper, including the oval-shaped dimples in the rubber. Those add some fresh hallmarks with the creative applications of the Formstrip and Big Cat within jeweled emblems.

This debut colorway, comprised of “Light Sand/Orange Glo/Aquatic,” furthers the expressive trademarks of LaMelo Ball shoes that we’re now plenty familiar with, wearing dominated by the earthy shades but displaying a heat-map/tie-dye pattern within the mesh below.

We can confirm that the PUMA LaFrance RNR is set to release on August 1st, retailing for $120 in adult sizing. Further colorways are planned through the Fall 2025 season.

WHERE TO BUY

After Market

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• M 4.5 / W 6
• M 5 / W 6.5
• M 5.5 / W 7
• M 6 / W 7.5
• M 6.5 / W 8
• M 7 / W 8.5
• M 7.5 / W 9
• M 8 / W 9.5
• M 8.5 / W 10
• M 9 / W 10.5
• M 9.5 / W 11
• M 10 / W 11.5
• M 10.5 / W 12
• M 11 / W 12.5
• M 11.5 / W 13
• M 12 / W 13.5

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Written by

Matt Varga, Junior Editor

Matt Varga is an Editor at SneakerNews. Initially earning a degree in Video Arts and Technology, he got his start in video editing and writing in the music world — primarily on hip-hop and electronic. A long-standing interest in sneakers led him to switching over to footwear. An avid collector, his favorite sneaker of all time comes down to either the Air Jordan 1 “Black Toe” and Air Jordan 5 “Laney,” his first ever pick-ups. When he’s not writing, you can find Matt cooking, traveling, attending concerts and when weather permits, on the handball court.