Gear Reviews
Review: PUMA IGNITE Limitless Trainers
PUMA’s first major training shoe release of the year is the IGNITE Limitless. Fronted by R&B star of the moment The Weeknd, the Limitless fuses the latest in running shoe technology with the look of street shoes for a unique and multifaceted offering. Here are our thoughts on it following a couple of week of working out in them.
Specifications
PUMA’s technical specifications of the IGNITE Limitless training shoe are below.
The IGNITE Limitless is a new take on running. It fuses highly technical running features with the design mentality and attitude of modern streetwear. This model provides premium cushioning and energy return with full-length IGNITE Foam embedded in the midsole. Luxe detailing, bold branding and aggressive dimensions make this style a true game-changer.
Features
- Clam-shell construction comprised of four-way stretch Ariaprene for a fitted yet breathable feel
- TPU Kurim midfoot cage, TPU heel clip and gore forefoot strap for ultimate support and durability
- Reflective detailing for visibility at night
- High-shine full-length TPU jewel piece runs along the top line of the tooling for a supportive ride
- Injection-moulded EVA midsole for lightweight performance
- Full-length IGNITE Foam drop-in for superior energy return
- Crystal rubber outsole pods provide full ground contact and traction without weighing you down
Design
PUMA has delivered a stunning design that is unlike anything ever seen before in a running shoe with the IGNITE Limitless. This starts with the shoe’s innovative collar that creates a mid-cut look. The collar is made of a lightweight, stretch fabric that ensure that the Limitless provides the ankle area movement essential in a running shoe.
The sides of the IGNITE Limitless feature what seems to be an urban environment-inspired grillesque cage that leads to the shoe’s lacing system. The most prominent piece of PUMA branding on the shoe is a strip across the front of the cage with the glossy PUMA logo on it. The front of the Limitless is made of a modern, highly breathable mesh fabric.
The IGNITE Limitless has a pronounced heel counter that is connected to a high gloss upper section of the shoes sole. Below that is a sole made of PUMA’s now two year old but still groundbreaking IGNITE foam.
The net result of this combination is a stunning shoe that is at place just about anywhere. It will garner admiring looks whether worn with jeans, on a run on the road or track, or at the gym. The shoe is a standout piece despite the fact that most of its launch colorways are restrained in a world of bright-colored trainers. But this is part of what makes the IGNITE Limitless the type of shoe that can be worn in a variety of environments.
Fit
The PUMA IGNITE Limitless is a true to size fitting shoe. There is a slight bit of extra space in its toe box that we enjoyed for splay when training in it. If you’re the type of runner who prefers a snug fit in this area then you’d be fine with going down half a size.
The IGNITE Limitless has pull tabs on the back of its collar that makes it near effortless for you to slide your feet into them from the first time that you try them on. The midfoot cage is connected to the shoe’s laces to create a mechanism that lets you pull the laces to adjust the cage for a very customized fit. As such you can really lock the IGNITE Limitless onto your feet for a long run or keep it looser for less strenuous activity. The laces on the shoe are on the flatter side and stay in place and tied with no problems whatsoever.
Weight
The PUMA IGNITE Limitless come in at a weight of 12.2 ounces for a men’s size 10. This is average for a running shoe nowadays but quite impressive given that the Limitless does include elements not found in your standard trainer such as its collar and pull tabs.
Ride
PUMA’s Ignite foam is the basis IGNITE Limitless’ ride. It’s a proven piece of shoe technology that results in extremely cushioned sole with rebound properties. We can’t measure the latter but can attest to the fact that we did feel a welcomed bounce when running in the shoe. This is quite welcome during long runs when fatigue begins to set in and results in you slowing down a bit. The best way to describe the feeling when running with the IGNITE Limitless is one of great comfort that keeps you amassing the miles during running without thinking about your feet hitting the pavement or treadmill. Its cushioned ride is also great for easing what can be the discomfort of running on game worn, tired and / or abused joints.
The collar of the IGNITE Limitless works well with its cage and lacing system to create a sock like fit that keeps your feat locked in position in the shoe for an extremely natural feel. Our testers’ first comments upon putting them on was that they were more comfortable than being barefooted. One of them even kept them on for the rest of the day after slipping into them for the first time.
Ventilation
Despite its urban-inspired look the PUMA IGNITE Limitless is a very well-ventilated shoe. Its main areas of ventilation are strategically placed to ensure airflow when training. They are at the entire front of the foot and at its collar which extends to the top of the foot under the Limitless’ laces. The fabric under the midfoot cage is also ventilated (though to a less extent that the front and collar). All of this amounts to a shoe that keeps the feet cool on the move, in the gym and on the streets. We experienced not hotspots or the dreaded sole of the foot overheating when wearing them.
In the Gym
The PUMA IGNITE Limitless is intended to be more than a running shoe and is marketed as a trainer. We wore it during weight training at the gym for seated, standing and lying push and pull moves. We also used them for balling ropes and suspension trainer (TRX-type) exercises. They provided sound footing and remained as comfortable as ever for every move that we did with them. The IGNITE Limitless is a great all round training shoe even if you never run a mile in it.
Durability
Thirty miles of running and ten days of gym work and everyday wear later the PUMA IGNITE Limitless still looks as good as it did at its unboxing. It is a study specimen whose materials are top notch and built to last. Even its soles show little sign of wear despite us using the shoes for running on concrete surfaces.
Bottom Line
At a launch price of $110 the PUMA IGNITE Limitless is an absolute bargain. For the average price of a running shoe you get an eye-catching piece of footwear that meets a variety of training needs while looking good enough to rock just about anywhere that a pair of jeans or shorts can be worn. As with the case with all athletic shoes the price will go down as updated colorways are released over the course of the year.