Review: PUMA Pulse XT Cross Trainer

PUMA has launched a number of game changing soccer products in 2015 including the brilliant evoPOWER 1.2 and the evoSPEED SL (the lightest boot ever). For off the pitch running and training the sportswear giant dropped the flashy Ignite in a campaign fronted by Usain Bolt. Now PUMA has released a cross training have in the form of the Pulse XT.

PUMA brand ambassadors Rhianna (the global pop superstar), NFL Pro Bowler Jamaal Charles and Bollywood actress Jaqueline Fernandez unveiled the new shoe to kick off the summer. We’ve been using the cross trainer at the gym over the past few weeks. Here’s what we thought of them.

Aesthetics

The PUMA Pulse XT has a somewhat minimalistic yet eye-catching. It was released in a modest black, gray and white colorway whose restraint differentiates it in a market of bright colored kicks. Most of the upper is a lightweight Ariaprene mesh. A synthetic frame that has a bit of an M-shape is on each side of the mesh and connects it to the lace enclosure.

PUMA’s Formstripe runs on the outside of the shoe for a classic feel white the PUMA cat logo appears on the sole on the outside and on the upper on the inside. The heel area of the Pulse XT has a series of circles underneath a lightweight fabric. We think both of these are for ventilation. The same fabric is used on the tongue beneath a soft pad of synthetic with the PUMA cat on it.

All of this amounts an attractive product that we’ve had people ask about just based on appearance. It has a clever set of modern athletic shoe visuals in a design that makes the shoe look like it means business in the gym and on the track.

Fit

The PUMA Pulse XT is 100% true to size in fit. Lace it up and it is extremely snug on the foot particularly under its cushioned tongue. It will not stretch since it is mainly synthetic mesh. Therefore we definitely recommend picking these up in your normal training shoe size.

Performance

We put the Pulse XT through a many rounds of training via Orange Theory workouts (a somewhat scientific form of CrossFit where you wear heart rate monitors and see your performance on flat screens in the workout room), CrossFit and weight room workouts for every major muscle group. How did they hold up? Read on!

Ride

The PUMA Pulse XT has a sole that is about one inch in thickness towards the heel. It is made up of the latest lightweight Injection Molded EVA (also known as IMEVA) for cushioning. While our testers were not sure what to expect of a sole like this at first, they came back from their first workout in them (an Orange Theory run / weightlifting / rowing circuit) raving about how comfortable they were for not only 5 K runs but for seamless transitions off the treadmill an into weightlifting mode. Quite impressive considering the fact that one of them is nursing a foot injury in the form of planar fasciitis (i.e. pain on the underside of the foot). Equally impressive is the excellent support the Pulse XT provides during one of the Mack Daddies of weightlifting exercises – the grueling deadlift. Heel to forefoot, the PULSE XT provided great support in the weight room.

Ventilation

Upon asking one test how the ventilation of the PUMA Pulse XT is, the response was “I didn’t notice”. This would be music to the ears of many a running or training shoe designer. The deal with the Pulse XT is that its mesh upper performs so well to keep the foot cool during training that the wearer doesn’t even think about it. Whether running, lifting, riding a spin bike, or engaged in a CrossFit circuit, the PUMA Pulse XT keeps the foot cool and comfortable even very hot conditions (think twenty active bodies in a CrossFit workout room or “box”).

Durability

Even after twenty plus workouts, the PUMA Pulse XT still looks almost as good as the day we unboxed them. The mesh upper has held up wonderfully and has little to no creasing. Everything else with the shoe is intact except for a bit of visible wear on the PUMA graphics on the heel area of the insole (these wear off on every shoe as long as you use them as intended). The white of the outsoles has got a bit dirty from use but this is unavoidable with light colors on shoes. Choose a darker sole color if you’d like to avoid having to clean them often.

Value

The PUMA Pulse XT may be the athletic shoe steal of the year at a non-sale price of $75. Some colorways are selling for a low at $45 at PUMA’s website. This is amazing for a shoe that combines performance and style as well as the Pulse XT does.

Final Thoughts

To take your game to the next level you must train off the pitch. Soccer players are getting faster, stronger and more agile every day. The PUMA Pulse XT is an excellent shoe for your cross training endeavors as your strive to become a better player.