Review: PUMA Ignite

PUMA’s biggest product launch of the 2015 so far has been the IGNITE running shoe.  The innovative new shoe is the subject of a global marketing campaign fronted by none other than The World’s Fastest Man – Usain Bolt. One of our team members at Football Fashion has been wearing the IGNITE for fitness work over the last month. Here is the resulting World Exclusive Review of these new kicks and their accompanying shirt and shorts.

Technology

The IGNITE is the result of nine years of research and development by PUMA. It incorporates everything from the latest lightweight synthetic material for its upper to automotive technology to a patented new material.  Here’s a synopsis of what’s under the hood of the IGNITE from PUMA’s PR team.

IGNITE is PUMA’s most responsive running shoe, optimizing comfort and durability. Designed for a wide range of runners, if you put the energy in then PUMA IGNITE gives it back. 

Powering every stride is IGNITE foam, proprietary foam that provides responsive cushioning, optimal rebound and comfort.  Strategically placed in the heel of the shoe is ForEverFoam—a compound used heavily in the automotive industry.  This material creates long-lasting durability and is entirely new to the market.

Design

The launch colorway of the PUMA IGNITE is what the firm calls “Deep Blue / Team Italia Navy / Fluo Peach” (I love the reference to the Azzurri). To the common eye this amounts to a stunning purple and bright peach combination that stands out even on a running path or gym full of today’s vividly colored training shoes. I’ve received my fair share of stares and compliments about them while working our indoors and outdoors. Tamer colorways including a good looking black and white version of the IGNITE are available for the more restrained among us.

The core aesthetic component of the PUMA IGNITE is its energy returning sole. It’s big, bold and in your face. I’m particularly fond of the chevrons grooves along the sole that give a sense on constant forward motion.

While the upper of the IGNITE features all modern synthetic leather and mesh, its feel is a bit old school and reminiscent of running shoes of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The throwback feel on a high tech shoe is quite welcome given the popularity of classic sneakers and some of the outlandishness that I’ve seen in running shoes lately all in the name of standing out.

Fit

The fit of the PUMA IGNITE is a bit on the bigger size. I’m normally a men’s size 10 for running and casual shoes. Upon trying on the IGNITE in size 10 I found that they felt more like a size 10.5. This was boot in the toe box, all around the upper and in the heel area. As a result I had to wear thicker training socks when running in them to avoid unwanted slippage. I strongly suggest going half a size down in size if you decide to pick up the IGNITE.

On The Run

Ride

The on the run ride of the PUMA IGNITE lives up to the shoe’s billing as a responsive shoe that returns energy. There is definitely a bounce to each step within each stride in the IGNITE. Now this isn’t something that will keep you running for 50 miles but the slight rebound that you get will help you conserve some of your energy and perhaps eek out an extra mile or two depending on the length of your runs.

I was also quite pleased with the overall cushioning of the PUMA IGNITE. The IGNITE foam used for the sole provides good support from the heel to the tool that feels almost like a rolling wave at times. I ran in them while battling a plantar fasciitis obtained from playing soccer on some bad fields. The cushioning provided by the IGNITE helped support my heel through runs of up to five miles that could be quite painful in other trainers.

Ventilation

About 40% of the upper of the PUMA IGNITE is made up the firm’s AirMesh material. I found it to work quite well for providing air circulation to the feet and keeping them cool while running. The IGNITE’s soft and very thin perforated tongue also helps with the shoe’s cooling effect. I’ll add that it is some thin that it feels like it isn’t even there!

Weight

The PUMA IGNITE is listed as weighing 9.6 oz. This is average for most of today’s running shoes not classified as “lightweight” or “race”. However, one on the foot the IGNITE feels lighter than its documented weight. I believe that this because of the energy return of its sole. I’d say that the rebound effect of the IGNITE foam makes the perceived weight of the shoe to be more like 9.0 oz.

Durability

After a month on the road, the PUMA IGNITE has held up quite well. Since its upper is partially made up of synthetic leather there is the expected slight creasing. Everything else point to a well-designed and constructed shoe that should last for well over 150 miles of use.  There is the business of the ForEverFoam in the IGNITE’s heel that is solely intended to help with longevity. From what I can tell it is doing its job.

Value

The PUMA IGNITE has a price point of $100. This is an absolutely deal in for a shoe with a premium sole and cushioning. Throw in a stunning design that is completely unlike anything else on the market right now and you have a cutting edge running shoe for the late spring to winter of 2015.

PUMA Ignite Training Range

As seen on Usain Bolt, the PUMA IGNITE has an accompanying top and shorts. I’ve also been wearing these over the last month and can comment on them.

The PUMA IGNITE top is a light weight, loose fitting training shirt that does remarkably well at pulling and dissipating sweat. My favorite feature of it is its running ventilated back area. Throw in a cool gradient effect on its sleeves and highly reflective PUMA branding and safety strips on the front and back and you’ve got an essential training partner.

The PUMA IGNITE core running shorts are equally brilliant. They’ve got a modern fit that ends just above the knees and a very comfortable though god looking elastic waistband. They look good with or without a shirt on.

The IGNITE core shorts are very lightweight and keep the air flowing when you’re on the run in them.  My favorite feature are there cooling mesh inserts. Like the IGNITE top they’re also equipped with reflective PUMA branding and strips for visibility in low light conditions.