Details
Brand
Puma
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
10/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Incredibly comfortable midsole provides a plush ride while also providing excellent responsiveness• Deep cut flex grooves make the Ignite Ultimate highly flexible• A very durable shoe that will last even after hundreds of miles• Breathable upper made of three-layer mesh keeps the foot cool and dry throughout a ride• Excellent style that looks sharp and comes in color combinations that pop
Upper
Looking to give the Ignite Ultimate a bit of visual pop while also providing excellent ventilation and comfort, the upper is comprised of a three-layer mesh. Designed for maximum breathability, this lightweight, supportive upper keeps the foot cool without compromising the shoe’s overall structure and integrity. This upper aims to provide security and support throughout a run while also allowing for excellent ventilation. By connecting the lateral and medial side of the upper throughout the heel and connected to the heel counter, the metallic Puma logo aids in heel support while also reducing slippage. With a standard lace-up closure, the Puma Ignite Ultimate’s upper keeps a secure hold from lace-up onward while providing support and breathability.
Midsole
One of the strongest elements of the Ignite Ultimate is its superior midsole made from Puma’s proprietary Ignite Foam. From heel to forefoot, the cushioning and superior responsiveness it provides will be immediately noticeable from the first step. Plush without detracting from its responsive nature, the Ignite Foam guarantees runners a very comfortable ride. In addition, a pattern imprinted on the midsole works in conjunction with the outsole’s flex grooves for additional flexibility and comfort.
Outsole
Looking to put its signature touch on its outsole, the Ignite Ultimate certainly is unique: from heel to forefoot, flex grooves line the outsole, aiding in toe-off and providing a smooth transition. This design also enhances overall cushioning and makes the shoe more flexible. In addition, a transition cut that runs from heel to forefoot also promotes the runner’s natural gait pattern, providing a smooth and comfortable ride. High-wear areas of the outsole are covered in Puma ’s durable EverTrack rubber while a decorative urethane insert is placed at the heel.
Breathability
One of the highlights of the Ignite Ultimate is its superior breathability. Since its upper is constructed of a three-layer mesh, there is plenty of available ventilation to keep the foot cool and dry even during long hauls on the road. For runners in humid climates or warmer environments, the Ignite Ultimate’s breathability will be a welcome sigh of relief when putting in an extra-long run.
Comfort
From its Ignite Foam midsole that provides a plush and responsive ride to its molded EVA sockliner to secure the foot firmly in place to its deep cut articulated flex grooves on the outsole, the Puma Ignite Ultimate made comfort of a top priority when it was designed. Without sacrificing responsiveness, the midsole provides an upscale level of comfort without a prohibitive price tag.
Style
With a dash of futurism to its design, the Ignite Ultimate has a sizeable outsole that visually signifies its superior comfort. Its relatively high heel-to-forefoot drop gives the shoe an angular look, as if it’s getting ready to toe-off on its own. Depending on how flashy the runner likes their trainers to look, the Ignite Ultimate is available in a variety of color combinations: subdued black-on-black upper with white outsole, white overlay with an orange mesh underneath and similarly eye-popping orange outsole, red-trimmed outsole with a gray upper, or a bright blue overlay with pink mesh underneath and a white-trimmed outsole with a red undersole. Whichever color scheme a runner prefers, the Ignite Ultimate continues Puma’s tradition of combining performance with style.
Durability
A major point of praise for the Ignite Ultimate is its durability: even after putting some 200 miles on a pair, testers have noted that very little wear and tear is visible. Its durable EverTrack rubber outsole retains the traction on its flex grooves even after heavy use while the three-layer mesh upper keeps its shape and integrity long after the first lace-up.
Protection
With a thick outsole made of Puma’s strong but flexible EverTrack design, the Ignite Ultimate keeps the runner comfortable and safe from the unforgiving pavement and asphalt surfaces it’s designed to tread. Its Ignite Foam midsole also provides comfortable shock protection from impact and works with the flex grooves to aid in responsiveness to road conditions. However, this shoe is best in dry environments and it has been noted that in inclement weather it does not provide the protection necessary to keep the foot dry from potentially saturating conditions.
Responsiveness
Although its midsole is made of plush Ignite Foam, its responsiveness remains solid. With the entirety of the midsole covered in this foam, runners will feel its exceptionally responsive nature with each footfall. Coupled with a pattern imprinted on the midsole that works with the numerous deep cut flex grooves that allow the shoe to remain flexible, the wearer maintains superior surface control. The outsole’s transition line also aids in maintaining a natural gait, letting runners transition smoothly through the cycle. Overall, the Ignite Foam provides outstanding responsiveness in all the key areas.
Support
The neutral arch support in the Ignite Foam provides adequate support for neutral runners while its plush midfoam keeps the foot comfortable. With an EVA sockliner that keeps the foot firmly in place and a three-mesh upper that maintains foot position, the Puma Ignite Ultimate is a comfortable shoe. However, this is not specifically a support shoe and is designed for runners with a neutral pronation.
Terrain
Hit the road with confidence in the Ignite Ultimate! Its durable outsole retains its grip and integrity even after many, many miles. Ideal for asphalt, concrete, and track surfaces, the Ignite Ultimate’s dynamic performance is due to its deep cut flex grooves that cover the outsole from heel to forefoot, allowing for excellent surface control. But it is only ideal for these familiar running terrains – this is not a hiking or trail trainer. In addition, this shoe has received criticism for not being particularly versatile outside of dry and temperate conditions.
Price
For all of its strengths, from the comfortable but responsive midsole to its sturdy construction, the Puma Ignite Ultimate is a well-priced trainer. Slightly above the average running shoe price point, it’s also well below higher end lines without skimping on its features. The Puma brand has a solid reputation, but name brand recognition doesn’t have to break the bank and the Ignite Ultimate is proof of that.
Drop
With a 12mm drop from heel-to-toe, the Ignite Ultimate has a slightly higher drop than many contemporary running shoes have. While zero drop shoes are in fashion and a slightly lower drop (between 8mm to 10mm) has become standard, this trainer’s 12mm drop will be comfortable for a heel-first running style.
Stability
A well-balanced shoe, the Ignite Ultimate is wider than the regular running shoe, providing fair stability, while its transition cut promotes a natural gait while on a run. However, this is not a stability shoe. Featuring only neutral arch support, the Ignite Ultimate is made for runners with neutral pronation.
Flexibility
The Puma Ignite Ultimate boasts great flexibility thanks to its deep cut flex grooves on the outsole, allowing for better push-off while also promoting a natural stride. While the upper keeps the foot firmly in place, its flexibility also promotes a comfortable heel-first running style.
Traction
Covered with deep cut flex grooves, the outsole of the Ignite Ultimate is made for flexibility and grip, allowing the runner excellent surface control and providing great traction. In addition, Puma’s durable EverTrack outsole maintains its grip even after its hammered away many hard miles on the road.
Bottom Line
With the endorsement of no less a figure than Usain Bolt, the Puma Ignite Ultimate is a running shoe that’s built to perform while keeping the runner comfortable throughout a training session. Its Ignite Foam midsole provides a plush support while remaining highly responsive, while its outsole’s flex grooves allow for these trainers to be flexible while also providing cushioning from unforgiving hard running surfaces. This leads to another of the Ignite Ultimate’s strengths, which is its durability. As testers have remarked, this is a shoe that can be taken out on numerous hard-charging runs and still not display signs of wear or tear. A breathable shoe, its three-layer mesh upper keeps the foot cool and dry throughout a run, although this also makes it susceptible to inclement weather, so it performs (and protects) best on dry surfaces and in moderate conditions. Moderately priced, the Puma Ignite Ultimate provides a lot of comfort and sturdiness for its cost, and runners will find themselves getting their money’s worth as a result. Its slightly heavier weight may not work best for some runners who are more used to a lightweight trainer, but its sturdy outsole and comfortable midsole make up for this downside. Overall, this trainer is tough, durable, and stylish. Daily runners can go for miles in a pair of Puma Ignite Ultimates without wearing down the shoes–or their feet.
