Details
Brand
Puma
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
10/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Soft blown rubber covers the rest of the sole• The shoe also features pods underfoot for traction• Ignite Foam in the midsole is lightweight and responsive• EverFit upper provides both support and breathability• EverTrack+ outsole rubber is featured in the rearfoot of the shoe for durability• Also featured in the outsole are Flex Grooves to encourage a smooth heel to toe transition
Upper
This shoe has an EverFit upper. This construction is meant to provide plenty of support whether a runner chooses to race with the shoe or go long. The upper also ventilates efficiently to ensure the wearer is always cool and comfortable. A regular lacing system outfits the upper, too. Reflective portions weren’t forgotten and help runners stay visible even when the sun hides away for the night. The inner liner is specially molded to provide added comfort and even offers its own bit of energy-return. Reviewers felt the shoe provided excellent ventilation and wicked sweat very well.
Midsole
The Puma Speed 500 Ignite looks like a speed demon of a shoe but there’s enough cushioning in that midsole to provide a comfortable, protective ride for longer runs. The midsole cushioning is composed of Ignite Foam which is super lightweight and responsive in turn. Reviewers were quick to point out how responsive the shoe felt and that this quality made it perfect for faster runs and very comfortable to wear for longer ones.
Outsole
The Puma Speed 500 Ignite features EverTrack+ rubber in the rearfoot area of the outsole. Everywhere else, you’ll find soft blown rubber. The outsole also features pods which are there for traction. And, of course, Flex Grooves provide much-needed flexibility encouraging a natural toe-off. The two types of outsole coverings are meant to provide the perfect blend of traction, durability, and comfort for wearers and they definitely manage to do all three. In the forefoot area, the shoe features a unique Propulsion Zone that contains an elastic compound to help propel users forward. It results in a quick toe-off that impressed reviewers.
Breathability
The Puma Speed 500 Ignite features plenty of mesh so that the wearer never feels overly hot inside the shoe. The EverFit upper system is supportive without cutting off circulation. Reviewers were impressed at how well the shoe ventilated, never heating up to a point where their run felt uncomfortable. The shoe also wicks sweat well. The liner helps with this job.
Comfort
The fit of this shoe is nearly perfect. A few reviewers did point out that the shoe felt narrow but other than that, reviewers raved about the great fit. The shoe is comfortable and doesn’t pinch or cut off circulation anywhere. The upper is secure but also allows the foot to move naturally. The breathable upper keeps temperature regulated. But the best part? The Ignite Foam midsole. It’s an exceptionally comfortable cushioning material that adds an extra degree of padding and delivers superior energy-return.
Style
Sure, the Puma Speed 500 Ignite is flashy. But it’ll only to serve to make you feel faster! The shoe is available in a bright orange color for both men and women and a few other brightly designed colorways. The shoe’s design is minimal. Mesh covers the upper which features a subtle logo for branding. The rest of the upper is free from extra detailing which helps with the fit of the shoe, breathability, and gives the Puma Speed 500 Ignite a sleek look.
Durability
The Puma Speed 500 Ignite is fairly durable. It can handle both short distance and long distance training. The EverTrack+ material on the outsole is meant to protect from the friction that comes with running fast or slow and it does a good job at preventing excess wear. The EverFit upper is sturdy enough to prevent unwanted tearing and the Ignite Foam midsole padding is also particularly durable. Reviewers liked that the bouncy foam didn’t feel flat after some time training with the shoe. It retains its qualities over time which is a big bonus.
Protection
There’s enough protection packed into this shoe to suit long-distance runners. It runs fast, but there’s quite a bit of protective midsole cushioning (made of Ignite Foam) to keep runners from feeling too much of the impact as they land while running. The also happens to be durable so the benefits it provides don’t subside with only a few wears. The shoe’s upper also works to protect runners from overheating. It ventilates so heat doesn’t get trapped inside the shoe and buildup to cause uncomfortable blisters.
Responsiveness
The Puma Speed 500 Ignite is super responsive. The cushioning offers plenty of energy-return to wearers. The shoe is lightweight and reviewers liked the snappy feel underfoot as they ran both short and long distances. The toe-off feels super responsive thanks to a special Propulsion Zone. The elasticized area helps runners shoot forward as they move off their toes. The result is a super efficient ride that feels faster than one might expect. Even with this extra bit of propulsion, the ride feels natural.
Support
The Speed 500 Ignite provides a nice amount of support but runners who want a rigid supportive shoe won’t find what they’re looking for with the Puma Speed 500 Ignite. The Ignite Foam is plush rather than hard and is perhaps less supportive than shoes with solid, firm cushioning. The EverFit upper does provide some degree of support, though. And a traditional lacing system allows wearers to customize the fit of the shoe. The upper feels supportive but the support is well-balanced with flexibility for a natural ride.
Terrain
This shoe is targeted towards road runners and racers. The shoe is protective enough but it doesn’t feature the tough elements you’d find in an off-road shoe. There’s no rock plate but that means it’s lightweight. The mesh upper is open enough so that debris can enter easily, but that results in a super-breathable construction. It’s just not built for trail running so look elsewhere if you’re in the market for an off-road shoe.
Price
The Puma Speed 500 Ignite is priced at a nice mid-range price point. Honestly, it offers plenty of features for the price asked. It’s a near perfect shoe from top to bottom. The outsole is durable and grippy. The midsole is well-padded without being too heavy and it delivers exceptional energy-return. The ride feels natural and snappy and the fit is great. The upper is breathable and allows for movement thanks to its flexible nature. It’s a great shoe for the price you pay.
Drop
This shoe features a fairly low 6mm heel to toe drop. The low drop encourages a better connection with the earth which is advantageous for runners looking to use the shoe for race day. The result is a responsive, quick-feeling ride where the runner can feel in tune with each movement forward. The shoe’s construction makes it appropriate even for non-heel strikers which was appreciated by quite a few reviewers.
Stability
There’s not much in terms of real stability with the Speed 500 Ignite. It’s not appropriate for a runner with pronation issues but the upper offers plenty of stability in terms of fit. You won’t find fancy overlays that lock down your foot, but the fit is snug enough to help eliminate any kind of unstable feeling. Naturally, you wouldn’t want to use these on an uneven ground since you might find yourself with a twisted ankle.
Flexibility
The Puma Speed 500 Ignite is plenty flexible. The outsole features Flex Grooves which encourage a natural motion as you run. The flexible nature of the outsole helps with the bouncy toe-off. Heck, there’s even an elastic Propulsion Zone in the front area of the shoe to help you move forward. The upper also flexes a bit to help with a proper fit that’s both comfortable and supportive. Reviewers liked how flexible and snappy the shoe felt on a run.
Traction
This shoe provides plenty of traction thanks to its EverTrack+ and soft blown rubber outsole. You probably won’t find it compares to a trail shoe’s outsole but for running and racing on pavement, the shoe provides plenty of traction. Runners may want to be a bit more cautious when it rains but overall, the Puma Speed 500 Ignite delivers a good bit of traction underfoot.
Bottom Line
The Puma Speed 500 Ignite is a solid shoe that can easily transition between training and racing. It’s both lightweight and durable. It’s hard to point out too many negatives with this shoe. It’s an excellent option for the runner who doesn’t want to swap shoes for speedwork or race day. You can train for whatever distance you like in the Puma Speed 500 Ignite and comfortably run fast on race day. The fit is snug but not overly supportive so overpronators should beware. Even with a snug fit, the shoe breathes effectively eliminating heat build up. The Ignite Foam is the star of the shoe providing long-lasting responsiveness and energy-return as you train. Top it all off with an attractive, bright design.
