PUMA released the QuickFlex training shoe as part of its Forever Faster campaign (you may have seen the ad for its featuring Mario Balotelli and Usain Bolt during English Premier League matches). This is our World Exclusive review of the solid cross trainer.
Before we get into our look at the QuickFlex, here’s PUMA’s description of its features:
The QuickFlex is designed to provide impact protection and support from heel to toe or how its rubber outsole is made with flex grooves to enhance flexibility and help create smooth, efficient movements.
Features:
- Mesh upper for a lightweight, breathable fit
- Lace closure for a snug fit
- Rubber outsole with flex grooves for enhanced flexibility and smooth, efficient movement
- Full length TPU unit provides impact protection and support from heel to toe
- PUMA Formstrip at lateral and medial sides
Design
The PUMA QuickFlex screams toughness with thanks to its design. The black mesh upper features a light blue metallic print that is reminiscent of the steel lattice that you might see at many modern stadiums. This matches well with the futuristic and flashy transparent flex grooves on surrounding the sole of the shoe. Throw in the abrasion resistant black rubber protective area and you’ve got a trainer that looks like it belongs on the feet of a serious athlete.
The black base color of the QuickFlex is neatly spruced up with three shades of blue – a royal blue in the tongue area (including for the well-placed and very visible PUMA logo) and on the inside upper of the shoe, a turquoise tinged blue at the front of the sneaker, and a light blue for the PUMA Formstripe. Mix this all up and the end product stands out in the crowded training shoe space.
Sizing
The PUMA QuickFlex fits true to size. To get the best of them we recommend that you get them in whatever your normal training or running shoe size.
Fit
On the feet, the PUMA QuickFlex provides a snug fit thanks to an upper that is well-cushioned on the inside. The insole and outsole also have a good level of cushioning. This isn’t as fantastic as PUMA’s higher end running shoes such as the Mobium but then the QuickFlex is a different breed of shoe that is meant for the indoor and outdoor workouts that you use to elevate your game to the next level.
Training Performance
So how does the PUMA QuickFlex perform in the gym and for outdoor training? Does it provide the impact protection and support that PUMA promises? We can categorically say that it does.
Our tester wore a pair of them for a month of weight training at the gym and outdoor agility drills on grass. What he found was that the QuickFlex is a quintessential training tool for the Fall of 2014. Highlights that he pointed out are:
- Excellent foot support when performing compound weight training movements that require firm footing. Examples of these a deadlifts, Farmer’s Walks, heavy shrugs and barbell rows. The QuickFlex seems to almost give you an extra spring in your step when moving around with heavy weight.
- Great flexibility during agility training allowing you to change directions quickly and easily without thinking about your footing.
- The QuickFlex is a good shoe for sprints and other short running distances. However, if you’re looking for a medium to long distance running shoe then stick with the Mobium or similar. The QuickFlex doesn’t offer the same level of cushioning.
- Good protection as promised thanks to the QuickFlex’ rubberized zone at the back of the outsole. The mesh upper is also on the thicker side and thus shields your foot from incidental contact while training.
Final Thoughts
Nowadays to keep on top of your game you’ve got to do quite a bit of extra work off the pitch. That’s why all major soccer teams have weight rooms. You’ll also find players working on sprints to improve their explosive speed and agility. The PUMA QuickFlex is definitely a great cross training to check out if you’re hitting the weights and doing field work like the professionals.
