Puma are known for producing some of the best golf shoes on the market and, for this review, I've been testing the Ignite Elevate X, a spikeless, waterproof model.
Out of the gate, I was a big fan of the looks as Puma have made yet another shoe with a modern aesthetic, with pops and flashes of color interspersed throughout.
For some reason, it actually reminded me of a Nike golf shoe, specifically a blend between the Nike Air Zoom Infinity Tour Next% 2 and Free Golf NN, with Puma's ExoShell engineered mesh upper and flatter design providing a clean, smart look.
Available in five different colorways, I tested the white, black and yellow model in autumn and winter conditions. You may think that the mud and wet underfoot conditions would stain but, I'm happy to report, that the mesh upper wipes and cleans well.
Admittedly, being a spikeless model, I would recommend wearing the Ignite Elevate X in spring and summer. The sole does provide eligible grip in wet conditions, but the overall look is more suited towards shorts and joggers.
That's the looks covered then, so how about the performance? Well, when I initially slipped the golf shoes on, I thought they were slightly on the heavier side but, within moments, they provided a very lightweight feel, which has remained ever since.
What I particularly liked, and a common theme among the best Puma golf shoes, the Ignite Elevate X has a really locked-in and secure feel. This comes from the FloatPlate Technology and the ExoShell Upper, which performed superbly to keep my foot secure through the swing and walking the fairways.
Although my feet embedded into them quickly, the only slight qualm is that I would have liked more padding underfoot.
There is the FloatPlate Technology, which helped the stability, as well as Ignite Foam found on other Puma models. Personally, I thought it performed quite well, but walking the fairways I did find the experience slightly harsh on the soles of my feet.
What I will say is that the Ignite Elevate X would suit those with wide feet. It claims to be a regular fit but, because the mesh upper isn't rigid on the sides, it did expand when my feet were inside the shoe.
What's more, the expansion of the tongue and the lacing system in place helped with the overall comfort, as the adjustability on the shoe was a personal highlight.
Overall, there is a lot to like about the Puma Ignite Elevate X, with the looks and comfort making this a very viable option for the spring and summer conditions. If there was slightly more cushioning underfoot, it would take this from a good golf shoe, to a great one.
