Puma Hali 1 Performance Review

The Puma Hali 1, Tyrese Haliburton’s first-ever signature shoe, comes in a clean box and is a testament to Puma’s brand awareness strategy. When I wore these on court, a bunch of people recognized them, which is a great sign for Puma’s basketball division. This performance review covers the Puma Hali 1’s build and on-court performance.

Traction and Outsole

The outsole of the Puma Hali 1 is a beast. It features straightforward herringbone traction made from rubber that Puma calls Pumagrip. In my experience with Puma basketball shoes, the translucent rubbers usually perform better than the solid ones, but this translucent outsole is awesome. This is a very thick rubber, making the Hali 1 ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.

Cushion

The midsole uses full-length Nitrofoam, which is a departure from the smaller Nitrofoam pads usually found in the LaMelo line (often just in the heel or heel and forefoot). Although the Nitrofoam is white and is under the insole (which I couldn’t remove because the glue is too sticky), I can confirm it’s full-length. The Puma Hali 1 is noticeably more comfortable than the LaMelo shoes, so if you’re looking for a Puma model with better cushioning, this is the one to check out.

Upper and Materials

The upper features materials very similar to the LaMelo line: a combination of textiles and TPU overlays. The overlays, however, are thoughtfully implemented, adding texture and design depth, avoiding a super-flat look. They also serve a function: the external cage wraps around the textile for additional lateral containment, and the toe area is reinforced for durability in that high-wear zone. The use of the Puma Cat logo is a nice touch, as Puma has primarily used the Formstrip logo on its basketball shoes.

The materials break in very quickly. The fit felt snug initially—a little tighter than what I’m used to, even with the LaMelo line—but after a few minutes of moving on court, they broke right in.

Support

A notable feature is the large TPU shank plate visible between the outsole and midsole. This plate extends to the forefoot, providing not only torsional rigidity but also a spring plate aspect. Typically, I don’t like plates that restrict forefoot flex, and this one is quite stiff. However, on court, you don’t feel a huge restriction because the toe has a slight upward curve, which helps with forward motion and momentum, compensating for the stiffness. I didn’t love that initial feeling, but it does serve a functional purpose.

The support is solid. Not only is there the giant TPU plate, but you also sit down into the midsole, which is widened out, giving you a nice, wide, flat, and stable base. The upper is supportive, and the heel area is very sturdy, featuring both an internal and an external heel counter. It’s a well-thought-out, simple design where everything just works. I also really like the tongue, as it relieves lace pressure and adds a lot of ventilation.

Fit

For sizing, I recommend going true to size for most people, as that’s what worked best for me. If you’re a wide-footer, definitely try them on in-store if you can.

Puma Hali 1 Summary

The Puma Hali 1 is a very solid debut signature shoe for Tyrese Haliburton, offering a great balance of performance features. Its thick, durable herringbone traction and full-length Nitrofoam cushioning provide a reliable and comfortable on-court experience. While the substantial TPU spring plate makes the shoe stiffer than expected, its functionality for forward momentum is clear. The design is simple, supportive, and uses effective modern materials, making it a well-executed product from Puma Hoops.

Disclosure

While Puma did provide a pair of the Hali 1 to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.