When I was preparing to test these shoes it came as a bit of a surprise when I realised that throughout my time playing and working in golf, I had never before worn a pair of Puma golf shoes.
I've always been a fan of the look and styling of them, and appreciated the fact that they've not been afraid to push the boat out a little when it comes to design and innovation - Rickie Fowler's Hi-Tops spring to mind - so when the new Ignite Pwradapt Caged shoes arrived at Golfalot HQ I was really looking forward to seeing if they lived up to my expectations.
What's It All About?
One of the first things you notice on the new Pwradapt Caged shoe is the the Pwrcage saddle. This is a plastic mould which wraps around the laced section on either side of the shoe, with the laces running through it. Therefore as you tighten them, the saddle is tightened closer for a supported fit, which also brings the Heel Lock Window closer to the foot to keep you 'locked in'.
The Adaptive Fit System provides all-round comfort on the inner section of the shoe thanks to an 'internal bootie', along with added external support thanks to Pwrframe technology in areas of the foot that experience more stress during a round.
Down at the ground, the full-length Ignite foam cushioning and Pwradapt sole provide responsive comfort with 3-dimensional traction that adapts to the way a golfer moves, ensuring plenty of grip throughout the whole swing.
The shoe comes in both a traditional laced model, and one using a Disc closure system similar to BOA. It features an Epic Tour Last shape that Puma say delivers a great fit with plenty of forefoot room, making it comfortable and giving it a sleek look from above.
Puma Says
"Our new Caged footwear will keep you locked in and comfortable all day thanks to our new Adaptive Fit System and Pwrcage saddle unit which provides the perfect fit, and stability like you've never felt before. Best of all, they come in a stylish, lifestyle-inspired, extremely comfortable package."
Andrew Lawson, Footwear Product Line Manager, Puma Golf.
Puma Ignite Pwradapt Caged Shoes Review
Putting the shoes on for the first time, I was immediately impressed by the Pwrcage saddle. I was half-expecting it to be one of those bits of cosmetic, 'visual-tech' that doesn't really do much. But, I found it to be a pretty simple and clever bit of technology.
Essentially the top of the shoe is like a slip-on, sock style which is easy to get in and out of, as well as being very comfortable. But then you use the laces to tighten the 'saddle' around the top of your foot so that you feel really secure.
Puma do say that these shoes fit a little bigger than usual however, so consider going down by half a size to ensure that you get a nice snug fit.
It also works well in conjunction with the Heel Lock Window, as Puma suggest. As you tighten the top part of the shoe, the heel section pushes up slightly to tighten around the heel and provide a really stable fit. It's like the shoe is fitting around your foot so the all-important 'out of the box' comfort is there straight away.
I always think that, when reviewing a golf shoe, it's a pretty good sign if you actually start to forget about it during the round as it suggests that wearing them becomes almost second nature.
My feet felt comfortable, dry, well supported and the right temperature throughout the 18 hole test. I'm sure most of us have experienced one of those rounds where you realise early on that your feet are rubbing or uncomfortable, and you have to go through four hours of misery until you can finally take your golf shoes off at the end. I don't see this being an issue at all with these shoes.
You get the same lightweight mesh material across the toe section of the shoe's upper which Puma has been using their shoes for quite a while.
This is the same kind of material that is used for wetsuits, and so it does a good job of keeping your feet nice and dry whilst staying breathable. I wouldn't like to have to try and get mud out of it though, maybe something to bear in mind when selecting your colourway...
Price-wise, these shoes are going to set you back around £130. This may seem a little expensive when you can get a full-leather ProSL, which many see as the benchmark in golf shoe quality, for around £20 extra. However adidas' Tour360 Primeknit, which are a similar material and also have a spiked sole, are around £30 extra so all in all, they are pretty reasonable.
Puma Ignite Pwradapt Caged Verdict
in summary, I really enjoyed wearing and playing in my first pair of Puma golf shoes. It felt like you were getting the lightweight comfort of a modern, summer, trainer-style shoe, but there's also a little more stability around the heel and the extra traction of the spikes for when you need it.
The best of both worlds?
Well, pretty much. I wouldn't use these shoes for a round in the middle of winter, as I think you'd have to spend another four hours cleaning them once you got home. But for the remaining nine months of the year I think they'd be perfect, and I can particularly see them being ideal for a golf holiday, as I also think they're the type of shoe that would look great with a pair of golf shorts.
If you want the look and feel of a lightweight spikeless shoe, but with the added comfort of extra traction, then these are for you.
Pros
- Great contemporary styling
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Surprisingly stable
Cons
- Fit and 'bootie' may not suit everyone
- Not ideal for winter golf
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