Details
Brand
Puma
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
10/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Rubber outsole• 10CELL heel cushioning for impact protection• TPU midfoot shank for added stability• Faux-leather upper fits snugly and provides stability as well• Upper is perforated in select areas to help with air circulation• Eco Ortholite sock liner features added padding and wicks sweat• Ankle collar and tongue are well-cushioned• Traditional lacing system• Formstrip design is a style element and enhances stability
Upper
The Puma Cell Surin 2 features a faux leather upper with perforations in the forefoot and rearfoot for air circulation. An EcoOrtholite sock liner adds additional cushioning for the wearer and wicks sweat away from the foot. The shoe’s ankle collar and tongue areas are well-padded and there’s a traditional lacing system to tighten or loosen as needed. The shoe also features a Formstrip on the side (part of the logo) but it’s not just for looks, it also helps to provide stability and ensure the shoe fits securely. Most reviewers said that they needed to size up with the Puma Cell Surin 2 as the fit was very narrow and the instep shallow. The leather upper produces a stiff overall feel for wearers, too. Both the upper and outsole need to be broken in. One advantage of the fake leather upper, however, is how easy it is to clean. But the lacing eyelets do have a tendency to tear, according to reviewers.
Midsole
The midsole of the Puma Cell Surin 2 contains 10CELL cushioning. This special cushioning materia l is located in the heel of the shoe, which is where the bulk of the padding exists. Reviewers felt the heel cushioning did a good job when it came to bear the forces of impact and helped ensure the ride in the shoe was comfortable. The cushioning leans more towards a rigid feel than anything else. Reviewers also pointed out that there was very little midfoot arch support. The midfoot area features a TPU shank which improves overall stability in this neutral cross-trainer.
Outsole
The outsole of the Puma Cell Surin 2 is made of rubber. That’s about all there is to say when it comes to the sole’s construction. Reviewers also mentioned that the sole felt stiff and required a bit of a breaking in period. The feel is firm underfoot and the hard rubber sole contributes to this. The tread of the shoe is basically completely flat and it works better for casual wear and gym wear than it does for outdoor running.
Breathability
The Puma Cell Surin 2 could use a bit of a breathability upgrade. It lacks the ability to circulate air because of the faux-leather upper material. There are perforations to help with ventilation but it’s just not enough to properly cool down the foot. Inside, the EcoOrtholite liner does help a bit with sweat-wicking but some reviewers did complain that they experienced blister issues when wearing the Puma Cell Surin 2 for more vigorous workouts. Heat has nowhere to go which causes excessive sweating and with very little ventilation, drying is slow so friction occurs causing blisters. The tight fit doesn’t help either.
Comfort
The Puma Cell Surin 2 is a fairly comfortable shoe, say most reviewers. It’s not, however, appropriate for daily running or vigorous training activities (for the reasons outlined above). As a casual wear shoe, it’s a perfectly acceptable footwear choice. For gym use, it also works. It’s just not a great shoe to wear for long periods of time since it ventilates poorly. The fit was also a point of contention for many reviewers who found it uncomfortably snug and ill-fitting. The faux-leather upper has a part to play in the poor fit. Leather, even the fake kind, doesn’t stretch, so sizing is seriously important when it comes to this shoe. You should never assume a running shoe will stretch but that’s even truer for this trainer.
Style
The shoe design is well liked by most reviewers. It does seem like a bit of a downgrade compared to the original version of the shoe. The upper looks a lot more plastic-like and has lost some of the authentic leather-look from before. The logo on the side of the shoe is minimalist and is not just attractive but functional as well since it provides extra stability. Additionally, the unisex cross trainer is available is various neutral toned colorways that are perfect for wearing casually.
Durability
This trainer is fairly durable. The outsole, made of rubber, is tough enough to handle casual use and gym wear. It’s not excellent when it comes to outdoor runs, but it’s just not built to handle daily run training. The midsole cushioning is plenty durable, so that’s not an issue at all. The upper, made of strong fake leather is highly resistant. Where the shoe lacks some durability is in the lacing system. The eyelets are made of flimsy material so they tend to rip when stressed a little too much.
Protection
The shoe offers basic protection in the form of midsole 10CELL heel cushioning. The cushioning is concentrated in the rearfoot, so don’t expect to feel protected in the Puma Cell Surin 2 if you’re a forefoot striker. Reviewers did find the padding adequate and were happy with the protection offered. The shoe lacks the ability to properly ventilate so it fails in that area.
Responsiveness
The Puma Cell Surin 2’s 10CELL heel cushioning is made for impact protection, so energy-return isn’t a huge factor in this shoe. Reviewers didn’t focus too much on what they thought of the shoe’s ability to provide bounce, energy-return, and a responsive ride. The big reason for that is because most reviewers found themselves wearing the shoe for casual use, walking around, or at the gym. Very few folks actually used this shoe strictly for running and those that did found it unsuitable for that purpose.
Support
The Puma Cell Surin 2 lacks arch support, say some reviewers. The midfoot simply doesn’t have a pronounced arch to provide support to those who need it.
Terrain
The shoe is probably best used indoors or occasionally outside. The outsole is made of rubber but it’s quite flat, so traction is not the best. The cross trainer’s upper is fairly tough, though, so durability shouldn’t be an issue in that area if taken outside. If you do decide to head outdoors with the Cell Surin 2 and find yourself in a rainstorm or muddy grass, the faux-leather upper is fairly easy to wipe off and keep clean.
Price
The Cell Surin 2 is priced fairly and it’s an average price point for a cross-training shoe. Dedicated runners will be disappointed in the shoe, though, because it’s not meant to handle high mileage of any kind. It’s a great shoe for gym goers who need something that can handle various activities.
Drop
We weren’t able to track down the heel to toe drop of the shoe but it shouldn’t matter too much since it’s a cross trainer. It should be noted, however, that most of the cushioning in the shoe is featured in the heel. This makes the shoe a better choice for runners who heel strike.
Stability
The shoe is a neutral cross trainer but it does offer an average amount of stability for wearers. While the outsole doesn’t have too much of a tread to help stabilize users, the shoe provides a stable ride elsewhere. The midsole cushioning is firm and supportive underfoot and the upper’s faux-leather construction is super snug which ensures a stable fit. The upper also features a Formstrip design which not only provides an aesthetic element, it also enhances stability for wearers.
Flexibility
The Surin 2 is not very flexible. The stiff feel has a lot to do with the faux-leather outsole and the rigid outsole rubber. There are no prominent Flex Grooves in the sole of the shoe and even after a breaking in period, the shoes keep their rigid feel. The cushioning itself is quite firm, as well. This doesn’t affect the comfort of the shoe that much, though, since reviewers didn’t find the lack of flexibility uncomfortable.
Traction
This Puma shoe features a rubber outsole with a very flat profile so it’s really not meant to provide any kind of aggressive traction for wearers. The outsole is so flat that it’s really a shoe best kept for indoor training at the gym and occasional outdoor wear for casual use. Reviewers found the outsole was just not able to handle too much outdoor wear since friction with pavement wore down the outsole quickly.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Puma Cell Surin 2 is a solid cross trainer with a few issues. It’s not the best choice for those who get overheated quickly on their feet or users who will be wearing the shoes in very hot weather because of the stifling upper material. The fit is snug but not appropriate for anyone with a wide foot or shallow instep. The trainer is much better suited to those with narrow feet. For those that find the right fit, the shoe is firmly cushioned but comfortable. The heel cushioning is generous and protective, too. This versatile cross-trainer that works for both gym training and casual wear and reviewers were very pleased with the design and look of the shoe. The pricing, too, is quite affordable. A little breaking in is required but after that, the shoe provides a decent lifespan for wearers.
