Details
Brand
Puma
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
10/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Lateral Release Grooves• Molded Eco Orthlite• Heel lockdown system• Air mesh midsole foam• Ignite midsole foam• Redesigned lightweight, engineered mesh upper• EverTrack+ outsole provides durability and protection
Upper
Runners can expect to see the most improvements from the original Puma 600 Ignite to the newer model in the upper of the shoe. The upper of the Speed 600 Ignite 2 now was redesigned and features an engineered mesh. The purpose was to create an upper that was more lightweight, breathable and flexible. After listening to their athletes, Puma realized that these were the key changes that needed to be made in order to bring this shoe to the next level. Puma uses their patented EverFit technology to lock the foot in place and help keep the runner secure through their gait cycle. The upper also features a heel lock down to help keep the foot from moving around which will prevent friction and unwanted blisters and irritation. Puma also uses their patented Air Mesh in the upper for maximum breathability. Runners loved that this shoe also kept them safe, even in low level light zones due to the highly reflective materials used in the design of the upper. For added comfort, Puma also uses their 2 toned wave mesh which conforms to the shape of the foot, creating a personalize, glove like fit and feel. Overall, runners reported being very pleased with the updates to the upper.
Midsole
Puma’s patented Ignite midsole foam is the star of the midsole unit. This midsole foam features responsive cushioning that provides a safe and comfortable landing pad for the foot and also supports the foot’s natural gait cycle. In addition to the Ignite Midsole foam, runners can expect to find a PU foam as well. This is an added layer of comfort and cushioning. All of these cushioned features are pretty low in weight and enable the shoe to keep its relatively lightweight feeling overall. The midsole also comes with a molded Eco Ortholite sock liner that wicks sweat from the foot, provides added support, and eliminates odor and bacteria. Runners were impressed with the lateral release grooves along the side of the shoe to help protect against inward rolling of the foot. This helped the runner with pronation issues improve their gait and reduce their potential for injury.
Outsole
The outsole of the Puma 600 Ignite 2 is made using Puma’s signature Evertrack+ rubber. This is a highly durable, highly grippy rubber that provides a safe and comfortable ride to the runner. It is also reported that this outsole keeps its look and shape for longer than the average midsole foam.
Breathability
One of the key changes to this model compared to its original version is the upper. The upper now features a new engineered mesh that is designed to save ounces and provide the runner with a breathable shoe that provides maximum air flow to the foot. Runners commented that in the new Puma 600 Ignite 2, they had no issues with blister or hot spots and their feet were able to stay extremely dry and cool regardless of the conditions.
Comfort
This shoe is able to provide the runner with a unique combination of speed and cushioning. This translates to a very comfortable ride from the upper to the outsole. The upper provides maximum ventilation to keep the runner comfortable even during long, hot runs. The midsole of the shoe features added support and cushioning features. The Ignite midsole foam is very cushioned but provides amazing responsiveness. The midsole materials in this shoe return the energy to the runner and this helps keep them from prematurely fatiguing. Runners reported that they experienced no foot pain or discomfort while running in these shoes.
Style
The men and women’s model of this shoe each comes in a few different color combinations. The men’s shoe comes in black with shocking orange and white or Lapis blue with turquoise and white. The women’s version comes in bright pink and purple or black and pink. Either way, these shoes have a unique, eye-catching look that runners loved. The only complaint is that runners wish the shoe came in more color combinations and options.
Durability
The EverTrack+ outsole is very durable and keeps the shoe from wearing down prematurely. Runners found the Ignite midsole to also be very durable. Even after extensive use, the foam was still able to keep its springy, responsive nature. Runners reported that they didn’t need to replace this shoe nearly as soon as they did with other similar models in the same class.
Protection
In terms of protection, this shoe features extensive reflective material all over the upper of the shoe to protect the runner in low visibility areas. In addition to this, runners can expect protection for unwanted movement due to the various support features of the shoe like the heel lockdown and the EverFit upper that keeps the foot in place and comfortable.
Responsiveness
Runners were very impressed with the high level of responsiveness in the Speed 600 Ignite 2. The cushioning is ample between the PU foam and the Ignite technology, but these are each responsive cushioning midsole foam materials and runners were pleased with how connected to the road they felt. The responsive cushioning is one of the reasons this shoe is so successful with speedy races and trainings. Even with the slightly higher weight, runners found this shoe be a great option for speed work on the track of tempo runs due to the high level of responsiveness felt in the shoe.
Support
Runners will be pleased with the multiple support features offered in this shoe. For starters, the upper is constructed using Puma’s patented EverFit technology. This technology molds to the shape of the foot, giving the runner a glove-like fit. This material wraps the foot and supports it, but doesn’t restrict its movement so much that the runner felt suffocated in the shoe. Additionally, the upper of the shoe features a heel lockdown to secure the foot in place and eliminate the risk of unwanted movement.
Terrain
This shoe is designed specifically for running on the road. While the Evertrack outsole does provide added durability and some added traction, it does not have the right amount of traction to make this into a trail running shoe. Runners also found this shoe to be a good treadmill companion or a good shoe to use for a speedy workout on the track.
Price
The Puma Speed 600 Ignite 2 is a moderately priced running shoe. Runners reported that the shoe is able to run an extensive amount of miles before needing to be replaced and that made it a very good value and definitely worth the price.
Drop
Runners can expect a drop of 8 mm. A standard drop for a running shoe is 10mm, so most runners should not have a problem with this slightly lower drop.
Stability
This shoe does a good job of supporting runners with overpronation issues. Overpronation is when the foot tends to roll inward during the gait cycle. Due to the shoe’s Lateral Release Grooves along the inside of the foot, the Puma 600 Ignite 2 is able to keep the foot from rolling inward. In the long run, this helps improve the gait of the runner and reduces the risk of injury.
Flexibility
From the upper to the outsole, runners found this shoe to be flexible. The EverFit technology used in the upper adapts to the foot and moves with the foot instead of trying to control the movement of the foot. The outsole is thinner than some on the market, but still provides amazing durability and protection to the runner. Runners liked that this shoe found the right balance between support and stability and also flexibility.
Traction
The outsole on the Speed 600 Ignite 2 is unique in that it is thin for maximum responsiveness, but also very durable with great traction. Runners commented that they felt like although this shoe wasn’t suited for trail running, it did offer a good amount of traction on uneven or slippery conditions while on the road.
Bottom Line
Runners love the Puma Speed 600 Ignite 2 for speed and cushioning. The second iteration of this model comes with a redesigned upper to add more breathability and comfort. The shoe features a handful of technological elements to ensure that the runner has cushioning but that the shoe is able to maintain its responsiveness to take the runner through fast workouts and races. The only downside would be its slightly higher weight, coming in at over 10 oz in the men’s version. However, the responsive cushioning seemed make the shoe feel lighter than it actually was. Overall, the Speed 600 Ignite 2 is a solid choice for a daily runner.
