Details
Brand
Puma
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
10/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Carbon rubber provides traction and durability• Deep forefoot flex grooves allow the foot to move freely• Guidance line groove offers a smooth ride and improves the gait• Single-layer mesh upper has bonded overlays that provide breathability and a seamless feel• IMEVA midsole is lightweight and has a great energy return• Softfoam sockliner provides a plush feel• Synthetic and textile upper• Designed for performance with a contemporary look
Upper
The upper uses a single layer of mesh, synthetic overlays across the midfoot, and a perforated textile lining. The mesh is very breathable and flexible due to its large ventilation holes. This keeps the foot cool and dry when training or running. The overlays are bonded so they do not cause irritation from stitching, and provide structure and support to the shoe. Along with the interior lining, they provide a smooth, seamless feel. The tongue and ankle collar are padded, and so is the heel. The material in the heel is sturdier than the midfoot to provide stability and support, keeping the heel from slipping inside the shoe. The toe cap prevents injury in case of accidental stubbing. The lacing system creates a snug fit with even pressure around the midfoot.
Midsole
The midsole has three layers that each serve a different purpose. The bottom layer is a guidance line groove that helps create a smooth ride by improving transitions as well as the user’s gait. The middle layer is injection-molded EVA foam, which is lighter than traditional EVA foam and is used to absorb shock and return energy back to the wearer by taking energy in during landings and bouncing the foot back during toe-offs. The top layer is the Softfoam sockliner, which has a soft, plush feel for comfort and support.
Outsole
The outsole is made of durable carbon rubber. It can go for many miles or over rough surfaces without showing signs of wearing. There are horizontal threads in the forefoot and midfoot, with deep forefoot flex grooves that allow the foot to push off easily, transition better, and move freely. The heel is decoupled to better absorb shock, to stabilize landings and to improve transitions. The sole is also textured for better grip when going on roads, light trails, or up and down hills.
Breathability
The Puma Vigor Mono has good breathability. Mesh covers the entire upper, with a honeycomb-like pattern and large holes that allow air to travel in and out of the shoe. The textile lining on the inside of the shoe also has holes for ventilation, keeping the foot cool and dry. The logo-shaped midfoot overlays are bonded rather than stitched on, preventing irritation or blisters underneath.
Comfort
This shoe is rated by testers as comfortable to very comfortable. The fit is true to size and the width is medium, which is fine for most people, although a few reviewers commented that they would have liked a wide size option. The injection-molded EVA foam is very comfortable and cushions landings and absorbs shock well. The Softfoam layer is soft, plush and comfortable. The lower than average drop means the cushioning is pretty evenly distributed, with only slightly more in the heel. The upper is also very comfortable, with the honeycomb-looking mesh providing great ventilation to keep the foot cool and dry, and the bonded overlays keeping the foot irritation-free. A few testers commented that the fit around the midfoot was slightly snug, while most people thought it fit nicely. The tongue, heel and ankle collar are padded for a better fit and to prevent rubbing. The laces create a snug, even fit that is not too tight in any spot. The shoe may require breaking in for some people who are used to a higher drop, although the adjustment is not as big as it would be if this shoe had a zero drop.
Style
The Puma Vigor Mono was designed to be stylish, with a contemporary look that performs well. It comes in three colors: Safety Yellow, Quarry/Puma White, and Puma Black /Quiet Shade. The yellow shoe is bright for those people who like bright colors or want to stay visible, while the grey and black shoes are more neutral. Each shoe has a white outsole with dots that are the main color. The mesh has a honeycomb-like look to it and covers the entire shoe except the outsole. Reviewers really liked the way the shoe looked, noting that it looked good in different outfits and the yellow helped them stay visible when running near streets.
Durability
The Vigor Mono has good durability. The carbon rubber in the outsole is very durable, as it was designed to be able to run for at least a few hundred miles before wearing down, and can even go over rough surfaces without any problems. The midsole also has good durability, with the IMEVA foam being more durable than regular foam, and the Softfoam sockliner has pretty good durability as well, although it may start to lose its softness after a while. The large ventilation holes and perforations in the upper’s mesh and interior lining make it prone to tearing, but the materials themselves are generally sturdy enough to last for 100 miles with no issues.
Protection
This shoe offers some protection in each layer. The outsole protects the shoe against abrasion due to its durability and the foot from slipping due to its grip. The heel has a different pattern and is separated from the shoe to help attenuate shock. The midsole has IMEVA to absorb shock and cushion landings, and the Softfoam makes landings even softer to protect joints in injury -prone runners. The upper protects against overheating and blisters. The toe cap protects against bruising, and the fit around the heel and midfoot prevent sliding. The brightness of the yellow shoe adds protection in low light conditions because it helps the wearer stay visible to cars.
Responsiveness
The Puma Vigor Mono has great responsiveness. The outsole provides a good ground feel and has flex grooves and a separate heel area to improve transitions and allow natural forefoot movement. The midsole’s IMEVA foam has good energy return and the guidance line groove underneath helps transition that energy from the heel when the foot lands to the forefoot when it takes off again. It also helps improve the wearer’s gait. The upper is flexible and has enough room in the toe box to allow the foot to move naturally. The relatively low drop offers better control and helps improve form and strengthen muscles and tendons.
Support
The Vigor Mono has great support according to testers. The midsole offers great support, with the IMEVA providing one layer and the top Softfoam sockliner providing a more custom fit due to its soft, plush feel. The midsole provides a neutral level of support, which is ideal for many runners, but some may want to use a gel insole for additional support. The upper provides a snug fit around the midfoot and the heel due to the lacing system, heel counter and overlays. Additional support is provided by the padded tongue and ankle collar.
Terrain
This is a cross-training shoe. It can go on dirt or paved roads, sidewalks, asphalt, light gravel, tracks, grass, gym floors and even light trails. It can also go over wet terrain that is not too slippery and be worn for short or medium distance running. It was designed to do a variety of activities to help the wearer strengthen muscles to improve their running.
Price
The Puma Vigor Mono has a low price for a running shoe, especially a cross-training shoe that is designed for multiple kinds of activities. The initial price was about 35% below average and the current price is up to 69% below average. The comfortable cushioning, supportive fit, grip, durability and versatility all make this shoe a great deal. Some testers who had never tried a Puma shoe before, said they are only going to wear Puma now because of the good price and quality.
Drop
The drop is 5mm, which is below the average of 10mm to 12mm. This gives the wearer greater control and stability when moving forward, backward, or side to side, which is important in a versatile cross-training shoe. The plush cushioning is more evenly distributed than shoes with a higher drop. It also means that the shoe may require some break-in time for runners who are used to a higher drop, as it may cause sore muscles and tendons during this time.
Stability
The Puma Vigor Mono is a neutral shoe. The outsole is stable due to its carbon rubber material as well as its treads that grip the ground to prevent slipping during toe-offs and landings. The midsole does not have any stability features other than neutral arch support, and does not slow over-pronation. The upper is more flexible than stable due to its mesh, although it does have a snug fit around the midfoot to keep it from sliding, thanks to the overlays and lacing system, and a nice, stabilizing fit around the heel thanks to the heel counter. The lower than average drop also helps with stability.
Flexibility
This shoe has good flexibility that allows the foot to move naturally. The outsole has deep forefoot flex grooves that allow the toes to push off or ascend, although the carbon rubber itself is not overly flexible. The midsole’s IMEVA foam and Softfoam also bend with the foot, especially the Softfoam that forms the shape of the foot as it moves. The upper is completely mesh so it has good flexibility but it still keeps the foot in place because of the overlays and heel counter.
Traction
The Vigor Mono has good traction. The outsole has durable treads that grip well and do not wear down easily. They can grip hard or soft surfaces without slipping, and allow the wearer to ascend or descend when needed while running on roads or trails. Designed as a cross-training shoe, it has a good grip on a variety of surface types so that the wearer can try different activities in addition to daily runs.
Bottom Line
The Puma Vigor Mono is a lightweight cross-training shoe with a lot of cushioning, a stylish look, great performance and a great price. It has a soft and supportive feel and looks good in different workout clothes. The mesh upper, perforated interior and seamless overlay application keep the foot cool and irritation-free. The shoe allows the runner to have a natural gait, improve their form and have smooth transitions. The yellow shoe has great visibility for people who want to stay visible. The fit is true to size, although the fit around the midfoot can be snug for people with wider feet. Its low drop and light stability provide good control. Its durability and traction allow users to run for many miles or train on different kinds of terrain or play different sports. The Vigor Mono is a comfortable and versatile shoe that can be worn by new and experienced runners alike.
