PUMA Ignite – Performance Review

Traction:

Puma uses an EverTrack outsole on the heel and forefoot for durability during both impact and toe-offs. No matter what the condition is, wet, dry, track, or trail, the outsole will cover you in any situation. EverTrack is extremely durable, making sure you get the most out of your dollar; long term durability is not an issue with in the traction department.

Cushion:

Made up of Ignite foam, the midsole provides a high rebound cushion setup that pairs well with the Ignite’s flexibility and compression, thanks to the chevron flex grooves featured on the midsole. The faster you run, the more you’re going to feel the Ignite foam that has a very high energy return. This makes for a cushion setup that works just as hard as you do.

Transition:

Sporting a 11.8mm heel to toe drop, those looking for a natural barefoot ride might want to look somewhere else. Otherwise the Puma Ignite features a fluid transition for any type of runner. Thanks to a transition line that mimics a more natural gait pattern on the outsole, the Puma Ignite will do its best to ensure that your strides are as fluid as possible, allowing you to focus on the task at hand.

Materials:

While the heavy synthetic overlays in the mid-foot provide excellent stability, the materials featured on the Puma are dated and could definitely use an upgrade. During your strides, the synthetic overlays don’t flex naturally, making for a ride that feels like it could be more smooth and consistent. Puma uses a suede tongue to provide great comfort in that area, while a mesh underlay provides excellent ventilation in sections where you need it most, but other than that, the materials are nothing to write home about.

Fit:

If trying on the Puma Ignite is not an option, going true to size is your best bet, but because the mid-foot may be too narrow for some, trying on the Puma Ignite before you buy is the best. The overall fit of the Puma Ignite is more on the narrow side of the spectrum, but it never constricted my foot from doing what it wanted to and causing discomfort. During my use, I felt as if the fit was a bit long, and while space in the toe is ideal in most running models, it still felt like I could go down half a size with no consequences. Again, if you cannot try on the Ignite for yourself, going true to size is your best option.

Support:

Most of your support is going to come from the heavy overlays featured on the upper. The mid-foot offers ample stability and even heavier overlays placed on the heel keep your foot from shifting side to side. This allows it to stay where it belongs–on the footbed. All of that, coupled with a molded midsole for torsional support and a transition line that mimics a natural gait, yields support that is overbearing but not minimal by any means.

Overall:

While the materials on the Puma Ignite are less than stellar, the rest of what the Ignite has to offer provides an amazing value for its $100 price tag. The Ignite foam midsole coupled with the ForEver foam in the heel, and chevron flex grooves, provide a high energy return cushion setup that caters to the runner who likes to feel their cushion. The Puma Ignite provides value in its durability; it will last you a long time and make sure you get the most out of your $100.

The Puma Ignite is available now at FinishLine for $100.