Details
Brand
Puma
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
10/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Excellent amount of comfort and responsiveness in the midsole• Very stylish name brand shoe without the high price tag• A great all-around shoe that performs well• Flexible, breathable mesh upper and deep cut flex grooves on outsole• Lightweight without skimping on features
Upper
Stylish as always, the Ignite Dual’s upper is covered with a breathable mesh that both flexible and provides a great fit after lace-up. With reflective detailing for providing increased visibility during night runs, the Dual is also outfitted with a lace enclosure for a secure fit. Breathable to ensure the foot stays cool and dry throughout a run and keep the foot well-ventilated, the Ignite Dual’s padded tongue, which features the signature Puma logo, also adds to the overall comfort of the upper after lace-up and ensures that the foot stays firmly in place.
Midsole
One of the Ignite Dual’s great selling points is its excellent comfort level, and this is largely due to its midsole construction. Utilizing Puma’s Ignite foam that’s been placed strategically in the forefoot and heel, this dynamic cushioning provides a great amount of comfort while also giving an extra amount of bounce with each lift-off. This high rebound material also protects the foot from the impact of each footfall and works in conjunction with the articulated flex grooves on the outsole to give the runner great comfort and control with each step.
Outsole
Flexible but tough, with great traction and highly durable, the outsole of the Ignite Dual will keep the runner moving on the road without losing tread over time. With carbon rubber at the toe and heel for durability at high wear spots, this material also provides great traction that grips the road. Deep flex grooves in the forefoot also provide excellent flexibility, allowing the foot freedom of movement. With great traction and high durability, the Ignite Dual’s outsole keeps performing even after it’s met the road for many miles.
Breathability
Given that its upper is composed of a breathable mesh, the Ignite Dual offers solid ventilation without ever seeming too thin. And this may not be immediately apparent upon first seeing these trainers: after all, there are plenty of other running shoes on the market that certainly looks more breathable and lightweight. But this is also part of Puma’s superior design abilities: to create the appearance of a more substantial shoe, material-wise, while also allowing for maximum breathability in the upper.
Comfort
As the overview of its midsole design highlighted, the Ignite Dual is a very comfortable trainer. Using Puma’s proprietary Ignite foam in the forefoot and toe, Puma provides support and comfort where the runner needs it most: in the high-wear areas. Meanwhile, its flexible upper comfortably conforms to the shape of the wearer’s foot and the carbon rubber outsole provides a great deal of protection from the hard running surfaces most runners will encounter when out for a run while the flex grooves on the forefoot of the outsole allow for excellent flexibility. Although runners with wider feet may find the Ignite Dual not the best fit, most runners will enjoy the amount of cushioning the Ignite Dual offers while also remaining responsive to each toe-off and footfall.
Style
In terms of style, it’s hard to beat Puma: having become iconic for making some of the most stylish trainers and athletic gear on the market, Puma seems to thrive on making sleek, understated products for their audience. And the Puma Ignite Dual is no different in this regard: it’s a trainer with a slick design that never looks garish no matter which color combination you may choose. With a large reflective strip on the side for visibility and an attractive mesh upper that varies between sections to provide an appealing visual balance and variety, the Ignite Dual is so stylish some may just buy it as a snazzy everyday shoe. While this is a lightweight, breathable trainer, its aesthetic suggests a thicker sneaker rather than a running shoe, and once again Puma makes a serious trainer that could easily pass as a stylish choice for regular wear.
Durability
Puma, being one of the top athletic gear companies in the world, knows that if you make a durable product, not only will you satisfy your customer but they will return time after time. And the Ignite Dual is made of sturdy stuff: with a carbon rubber outsole on the high-wear areas of the forefoot and heel, a breathable synthetic mesh upper that’s resistant to wear, and an Ignite foam midsole that will keep the foot comfortable while also delivering a great, responsive ride every time, a pair of Ignite Duals will last you for a long time–until it’s time to get your next pair of Pumas, at least.
Protection
Keeping in mind that this is a running shoe, the Ignite Dual will keep the foot well-protected against the regular bumps and jostles that come with running on asphalt and pavement. Its sturdy carbon rubber outsole is thick enough to keep the foot protected through every step and stride. However, its upper is made of a breathable mesh that offers only nominal protection–that is, it’s made to run in dry conditions on ideal surfaces. Don’t attempt a hard-charging trail run and expect your foot to be protected as they would in a pair of gaiters. But for the runner looking to keep moving around the block, on the track, and on their favorite running route, the Ignite Dual will keep your foot well protected.
Responsiveness
There are two great points in the Ignite Dual that speak to its excellent responsiveness: its outsole and midsole. The outsole feature a fair amount of sturdy tread that provides great traction on regular running surfaces, and more than that deep flex grooves in the forefoot allow for great flexibility and surface control on the runners’ part. The second feature, the midsole, is composed of Puma’s Ignite foam, which provides a great deal of cushioning while also providing a responsive ride, adding a little spring to each toe-off. Working in conjunction with the flex grooves, this midsole provides the runner with a great responsive ride every time they slip on a pair of Ignite Duals.
Support
Its Ignite foam adds a great deal of comfort to the Ignite Dual along with a nice, responsive ride, while the well-crafted outsole also gives the runner a good amount of surface control and nominal support. However, outside of its neutral arch support, the Ignite Dual is not specifically a support shoe. For the average runner, though, they will find in this trainer a comfortable, natural ride.
Terrain
For pavement, asphalt, and springy track surfaces, the Ignite Dual is ideal. Its carbon rubber outsole provides a solid amount of traction on these surfaces, while the flex grooves on the forefoot of the outsole give the runner an excellent amount of flexibility. But, given that these are running shoes with mesh uppers and lack the sort of tenacious grip many trail runners would offer, the Ignite Dual is optimal for athletic exercise on the sort of solid ground many runners find themselves often treading. Even in slick conditions on these surfaces, the wearer will find that these handle well, but it’s not a shoe for harsher conditions.
Price
An attractive, stylish, well-performing name-brand trainer is something every runner is ultimately looking for, but unfortunately, this often comes at a price. But the Puma Ignite Dual will thrill many runners (and some just looking for a comfortable, affordable everyday shoe) with its extremely moderate pricing. Whether looking for your next long-distance trainer, your everyday jogging shoe, or even just something sleek and lightweight to wear around the house or on the weekend, the Ignite Dual is a fantastic deal loaded with great options that won’t empty your wallet.
Drop
With an 8mm drop, the Ignite Dual is just slightly lower than the standard drop in most running shoes but runners will not notice the difference. Not a minimalist shoe, this lightweight trainer still provides the standard support, comfort, and drop that many runners will find easy to step into and start running.
Stability
While Puma has added some features to increase stability in the Ignite Dual, including articulated chevron grooves at sides of the midsole to increase rebound and a substantial outsole to help with stability, this is not specifically a stability shoe. Instead, it is designed for runners with a neutral pronation.
Flexibility
Puma has designed the Ignite Dual to be flexible in two key areas, its upper and outsole. The upper is made of a breathable mesh that conforms to the shape of the foot after lace-up and allows a great amount of foot flexion, while the outsole features deep flex grooves in the forefoot for increased flexibility. Sturdy but never stiff, runners will appreciate the amount of flexibility this trainer offers.
Traction
Thanks to the sturdy carbon rubber that comprises its heel and outsole, the Ignite Dual is rigged with great tread that won’t wear easily. Although not as tenacious as some shoes, runners will appreciate the durability of its traction points. In addition, deep cut flex grooves provide a great amount of flexibility in the outsole so runners will enjoy the increased level of surface control these provide.
Bottom Line
Puma has done it again with the Ignite Dual. By making a stylish, affordable, and comfortable trainer that delivers a hardy performance, Puma has seemingly provided an answer to every new and experienced runner’s problem of hesitating on investing in a new trainer–mainly by making this one very affordable. Besides the price, the Ignite Dual also provides a very comfortable, responsive ride whose construction is lightweight and flexible despite the many features included. Adding its signature stylish aesthetic to this trainer, Puma retains its position as an athletic gear company who doesn’t compromise on either style or quality in their product. For a new pair of running shoes that won’t break the bank or let you down in performance, comfort, and style, your next go-to pair may just be the Puma Ignite Dual.
