Details
Brand
Puma
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
10/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• EVA midsole• Breathable knit upper• Rubber outsole base• Smooth, cushioned walking shoe• Premium sports lifestyle design
Upper
The Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit is designed with a knit synthetic upper. In doing so, Puma created a sock-like fit with a breathable functionality. A traditional lace-up allows for some slight adjustments and a TPU heel cage holds the heel securely to reduce any possible movement, friction or potential blistering. With a knit cage, the toe box fits the foot as a sock would, allowing movement and room for swelling or additional flexing. The overall design of the upper drops down below the ankle but comes back up on the heel to allow additional support over the Achilles.
Midsole
With an EVA foam midsole, the Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit is one of the more comfortable shoes available. Since this shoe was created for style and design, none of the other more prominent technologies are necessary for this model. It is soft and smooth and a welcome addition to anyone’s wardrobe.
Outsole
The Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit features a standard synthetic rubber outsole. The design is such that a large groove is set down the middle of the foot, allowing for additional traction and stability.
Breathability
While this shoe does not necessarily need a lot of breathability, because it is made by a premium sports lifestyle company, Puma can’t help but make it as breathable and comfortable as possible. They believe that feet should stay cool and dry to avoid moisture friction, sliding or foot injuries, whether running, racing or walking through the grocery store. The Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit has an open knit upper that has a breathable, lightweight fit and thin, synthetic overlays to keep the weight down and keep the foot cool. The tongue of the shoe is made with the same material and secured with the traditional lace-up closure for an adjustable, breathable fit.
Comfort
The Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit is designed for comfort and style. It has open, knit uppers with a thin synthetic overlay to keep the shoe lightweight. The knit allows the foot movement and flexibility while still supporting it. The lightweight EVA foam padding of the midsole adds comfort and a bit of bounce to a good walk. The TPU heel cage wraps the heel in place over the footbed, creating an ankle collar that hugs the Achilles and the heel, reducing friction and the resultant blistering. The large groove in the rubber outsole gives additional traction and air transference for a smoother walk. To go with the standard insole is the padded tongue, adding to the overall comfort of the shoe and the fit of the upper.
Style
Puma only just started creating lifestyle versions of athletic shoes in 1998. The first official, a non-athletic shoe was introduced in 1999 and worn by Madonna on tour. They have adjusted to a more design-based product while still including the athletic mindset and making use of its innovations. The breathable knit upper gives the Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit a sleek appearance. The external TPU heel cage wraps around to the laces and adds a current, fashionable look to the normally solid heel. The popular Puma cat sits on the tongue of the shoe for prime advertising real estate. The slight scalloping on the outsole gives the base character which breaks the monotony of the solid white base and looks more streamlined. This model can be purchased in a neutral color or red for women and all have a solid white base. There aren’t any featured designs but the solids and complimentary white color to create a stylish, current look that appeals to lifestyle athletic shoe wearers.
Durability
While this shoe is not specifically designed for training, it is well made and will stand up to a good amount of training. It has an EVA midsole and rubber outsole with a design that supports traction and mobility. The knit upper hugs the foot and allows for movement. There are no additional strapping or overlays that could fray or crack due to overuse. Overall, the Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit should last a long time when traded out for other shoes regularly.
Protection
With the combination of the outsole rubber, enhanced cushioning, and the synthetic knit upper, the Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit has more give to a standard footfall than the average shoe. The impact resistance from the EVA foam cuts down on the knee and joint fatigue as well as injuries. The synthetic rubber outsole also enhances the traction, allowing for better control on city streets and runs, reducing the opportunity for trips and falls. The TPU heel case secures the heel in place, protecting it from movement and friction that could result in blisters and foot fatigue. The design covers the entire foot, protecting from dirt and debris and avoiding injuries from friction and rubbing.
Responsiveness
A neutral cushioned shoe, the Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit has a natural ride with a lightweight feel making for easier walks and smooth runs. With the extra cushion, the amount of fatigue is reduced and runners can enjoy different routes for longer distances. The EVA foam midsole also reduces shock impact when heel striking so the ride is smoother but still allows for a flexible response.
Support
The Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit uses the traditional medial post stability design in conjunction with a breathable knit upper and thin synthetic overlay. The upper fits firmly and, when laced appropriately, supports the upper portion of the foot securely with little movement. The rubber outsole and enhanced cushioning give a solid base while the TPU heel cage holds the heel securely in place, hugging the Achilles and ankle, while still supporting the bulk of the step, especially with heel strikers. The thick midsole with its lightweight foam padding includes an ankle collar that wraps the heel in place over the footbed and hugs the Achilles and ankle, holding it firmly into the shoe. The Blaze Cage offers a neutral support for medium arches.
Terrain
While Puma does make shoes for all terrains, the Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit is primarily a walking shoe or a lifestyle athletic shoe, requiring minimal mileage. The rubber on the base is not excessively thick, to keep the overall weight down and to avoid affecting the exterior design. This creates less traction with gravel or trails. The outsole groove, on the other hand may allow for less side to side slippage so a running track or treadmill should be well within a range of this trainer.
Price
Because the Puma name is famous worldwide, you expect their shoes to all be in the higher end price-wise. Even with the many Olympic gold medals earned while wearing the Puma brand, and the appeal to a design-focused clientele, Puma still has kept the Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit at a reasonable price point. The specialized design and reworked upper construction keep materials at a consistent expense so no additional cost is charged to the buyer. Puma is also a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition so the price reflects sustainability measures implemented as a part of their commitment to the future of the Earth.
Drop
Since the shoe is designed for aesthetics rather than performance, no reviews had a measure on the drop of the Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit. It does appear to be a fairly natural drop as there is not a great difference from the photos between heel and toe rise.
Stability
The installation of the TPU heel cage into the heel of the Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit adds to the stability of the shoe. Because it is built into the midsole, the distribution of weight sits naturally against the construct. The rubber outsole and EVA midsole enhance the cushioning but also distribute the weight evenly on each side of the large groove in the base.;The construction of the knit upper uses medial posts but also fits closely to the foot with thin synthetic overlays. This keeps the upper breathable but also holds the foot more securely into the shoe with top foot lace-up closure, forcing the weight of the foot into the base and adding to the overall stability.
Flexibility
Since the Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit features such an EVA foam cushion, there is a good deal of flexibility in both the outsole and the midsole. The rubber outsole mold is separated by a large groove so that the interior and exterior of the foot can flex as the foot flexes. When toeing off, the shoe adapts to the natural bend and flexes exactly where the foot does naturally. The open mesh upper is also very flexible as it is breathable with a lightweight fit. The lace-up closure does adjust the fit to the comfort of the wearer but the mesh will adjust for any swelling while on the run, allowing for added comfort over even longer distances.
Traction
The rubber outsole and the large groove in the base of the shoe enhance cushioning at the base of the Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit and serve another purpose as well. They provide a durable traction on most surfaces, reducing any side to side slippage if traveling on a wet roadway. Having a midsole with a lightweight, padded cushion effect and a TPU heel cage also keeps the foot firmly entrenched into the base of the shoe, reducing any potential slippage.
Bottom Line
As Puma evolved from the Dassler Brand, they focused more and more on sports and Olympic caliber performance. They developed the “formstrip” as a stabilization device on the shoe and it later became a recognizable symbol of the Puma product. They may not have realized that they were stepping foot into the design world even in 1948 when they put the first screws into soccer cleats. Now that they are embracing the sports lifestyle market, Puma has moved full steam ahead. They have created a beautiful, comfortable shoe in the Puma Blaze Cage Evoknit. It is durable, breathable, and very stylish.
