Details
Brand
Puma
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
10/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Carbon rubber outsole with short lugs• Transition Line and Flex Grooves for flexibility• Spark cushioning in midsole, very generous padding• Offered in different upper styles: woven, metal, slip-on, filtered.• Neutral construction• Mesh upper for breathability• Regular laces• Heel tab
Upper
The upper is where each design of the Puma Flare differs. But, it’s not by much. Each design features a breathable mesh to enhance air circulation and reduce overheating. The woven version is flexible, breathable, and supportive with a bit of extra stretch for comfort. The metal mesh upper features a unique double layer design with metallic detailing made to look bling-like. The look is attractive and the mesh feels soft against the skin. The slip on this version’s upper doesn’t feature any laces but is still made of breathable mesh. The slip-on version is the easiest to get on and off. There is also a filtered style version which looks slightly different but is made of the same breathable material as the other versions. Each shoe features normal laces (except the slip-on version) and a heel tab. Overall, reviewers found the Puma Flare fit well and was true to size. Each style version features overlays for support and each has a bit of stretch to accommodate different foot shapes and swelling.
Midsole
The midsole of the Puma Flare is composed of Spark cushioning. There a generous amount of cushion in the midsole without making the shoe heavier and uncomfortable to wear. The interior of the Puma Flare is also fairly well cushioned. The result is a soft, plush ride, which reviewers greatly appreciated. Each style of the Puma Flare features the same midsole material. You won’t find any stability features in this shoe since it’s made for neutral runners. Besides the stylish design, the midsole cushion is the biggest selling point of this shoe. For the price point, there’s way more cushioning than you might expect. Many reviewers found the shoe was an excellent choice for jobs where long periods of standing were required.
Outsole
The outsole of the Puma Flare is made of standard carbon. If you peek underfoot, you can also see that the bottom of the shoe features small lugs for traction. The outsole also features a Transition Line and Flex Grooves to enhance overall flexibility. Each style of the Puma Flare features an identical outsole construction. Reviewers liked the flexible feel of the shoe.
Breathability
Each style version of the Puma Flare is extremely breathable thanks to the mesh construction of the upper. Reviewers were happy with the amount of ventilation provided by the Puma Flare. Each material has a little bit of stretch to accommodate each wearer’s foot and the plush interior cushions and wicks sweat all in the same.
Comfort
Reviewers loved how comfortable the Puma Flare felt. It’s a great shoe for various types of activities. For running, it’s best suited for shorter distances or low mileage training simply because of the lack of support. Otherwise, there’s plenty of Spark cushioning in the midsole to offer protection and comfort. Even the inside of the shoe is well-padded. Reviewers appreciated the soft, plush ride of the Puma Flare. The shoe does require a brief breaking in period because of an initial stiff feel, but after a few workouts or runs, the shoe settles into its flexible construction and feels great from heel to toe.
Style
The Puma comes in a variety of colors and styles. The woven style, available in a black and grey colorway, features a closer knit construction on its upper and has a casual knit look that’s perfect for non-fitness related wear. The metal version, available in all purple and all white styles, adds interest to the upper with a metallic layer that shows through the shoe’s mesh. It’s a neat aesthetic component that adds a little flare. The look of the slip-on version is self-explanatory, it lacks a set of laces and is meant to be slipped on quickly. The filtered version is available in a bright neon coloring with bright accents for a flashy overall look.
Durability
The Puma Flare rates fine for durability. It’s not meant to be a high mileage trainer, however, so expectations should be weighed carefully. The shoe features plenty of cushioning, a tough carbon rubber outsole, and a quality upper. It should last an average amount of miles for most users. Those who weigh a bit more, have particularly heavy footfalls, or train very aggressively may find they get a little bit less mileage out of the Puma Flare. One positive, though, is that the cushioning doesn’t seem to flatten out as much as with other shoes. The plush feel doesn’t diminish after weeks of training which is a nice advantage of the Puma Flare.
Protection
The Puma Flare offers standard protection for wearers. They are a great shoe for occasional short distance running, gym workouts, or walking around town. The biggest area of protection? The midsole. The shoe is very well cushioned with Spark material and users shouldn’t feel much impact as they move or run. The upper is made of quality mesh and although each design looks slightly different, each iteration provides the same great fit with overlays to help keep the wearer locked down.
Responsiveness
The runner is not very responsive, according to reviewers. The shoe also lacks ground feel in a big way, despite the lightweight construction. It seems the very well padded midsole gets in the way and reduces any intimate connection with the earth. Reviewers were disappointed by the shoe’s lack of responsiveness but really liked the plush cushioning. The cloud-like midsole cushioning reduces the amount of feedback and energy-return but it still feels extremely comfy underfoot.
Support
The Puma Flare is not super supportive, say reviewers. The shoe lacks proper arch support in the midfoot area and although the various upper styles fit tightly around the foot, users complained that there was still a lack of support from the upper. Perhaps the upper materials offer too much stretch to be truly supportive. The lack of support makes this shoe a poor option for long distance training of any kind. It’s a good shoe for the fitness newbie who wants a decent footwear option to go from one activity to another or for the runner who wants a shoe to match their athleisure wea r during the day.
Terrain
The shoe is better suited for indoor training but will work fine for running on pavement. The outsole is made of carbon rubber with small lugs for traction. You’re not going to get the best grip with the Puma Flare but it’ll do in a pinch. The poor responsiveness paired with the lackluster ground feel makes this a definite bad choice for off-road training.
Price
The Flare is priced fairly and works as a budget fashion sneaker or occasional training shoe. It won’t last as long as other neutral shoe models but there’s a lot of cushioning, which adds value. The shoe is also super stylish. It’s offered in a variety of design options so there’s something for everyone and the attractive look adds definitely value bonus points.
Drop
The Puma features a fairly large heel to toe drop of 12mm. This is due to the chunky midsole stuffed with a lot of Spark cushioning for impact protection and comfort. This large drop reduces the amount of ground feel significantly almost to zero, which wearers didn’t like.
Stability
The sneaker isn’t a stability shoe, nor does it offer much in terms of neutral stability. The upper designs do feature some overlays to keep the wearer in check but otherwise, it’s all up to the wearer. There traction underfoot is about average and there’s enough grip to keep wearers steady on dry surfaces. The overall fit is excellent, say reviewers. No issues surfaced with regards to a sloppy fit.
Flexibility
The shoe is quite flexible thanks to its outsole’s Transition Line. There are also Flex Grooves that add even more flexibility. Some reviewers complained that the shoe initially felt stiff out of the box but a few runs or workouts in the Puma Flare really help to bring out its flexible nature. The flexible design ensures a smooth ride. The upper styles, too, offer a bit of stretch. This translates to a comfortable fit for all types of foot shapes.
Traction
The trainer features a carbon rubber outsole with short lugs underfoot. The shoe is fine for runs on dry surfaces and it will work well indoors or on flat pavement outdoors. It’s not at all suitable for loose terrain, wet ground, or muddy trails, however. It’s hard to imagine anyone taking these for a spin in wet or muddy conditions, though, it would stain and ruin them quickly.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Puma Flare is a solid shoe for the casual runner or fitness butterfly. The shoe is perfect for the wearer who isn’t set on an activity and is looking to made good use of a gym membership. The construction isn’t as durable as other running shoes, but the stylish design makes up for this. The shoe lacks responsiveness but in return, you get plenty of midsole cushioning. It’s not an appropriate shoe for anyone who needs support, stability, or anyone who wants to go fast. The Puma Flare is a generously cushioned trainer that’s perfectly suited for low mileage training, gym workouts, or stylish everyday wear. The fit is comfortable, true to size, and there are plenty of options and looks to suit every fitness enthusiast.
