LinkedIn Pinpoint #811Answer & Analysis

Quick read: A word association puzzle connecting five clues through a shared theme.

Fast strategy: Start broad, narrow after clue two. If the first two clues seem unrelated, test whether a hidden word connects them as compound phrases.

The answer is Athletic shoe brands. Use the table below to check each clue, then skim the compact FAQ for the quickest path to the connection.

Today’s puzzle felt almost too easy… which usually means I’m about to overthink it.

The very first clue was Puma.

And instantly, my brain split in two.

One side said: Big cats. Wild animals. Jungle theme? The other side said: Wait. That’s a sports brand.

I’ve played enough Pinpoint to know the obvious path can sometimes be bait. “Puma” could easily lead to something like wild felines. And if the next clues had been “Jaguar” or “Leopard,” I would’ve gone straight into animal mode.

But here’s the thing: Puma as a sports brand is just too recognizable.

So instead of drifting toward wildlife, I trusted my first instinct and guessed Sports brands right away.

Looking back, the “big cats” route was tempting—but weak.

Pinpoint usually builds clean, consistent categories. If the theme were animals, I’d expect clearer zoological alignment. But Puma is overwhelmingly associated with athletic gear, especially footwear.

When the remaining clues were revealed—New Balance, Asics, Adidas, Nike—they completely confirmed the pattern. Not just sports brands in general.

More specific than that.

They’re all known primarily for athletic shoes.

That extra level of specificity matters in Pinpoint. “Sports brands” would’ve been close—but the tighter category is what locks it in.

And that’s exactly what happened.