TRIED & TESTED
NEXT LEVEL LACING
When I saw the PR release about the PUMA Speed IGNITE NETFIT, saying PUMA has reinvented lacing with this design, my first thought was OK, let’ s see what the latest gimmick is trying to replace good old laces, but this one really does look like it will stick around. – BY SEAN FALCONER
In the 20-plus years that I have been running, I’ ve seen a number of so-called revolutionary new lacing systems come, and I’ ve seen most of them go again nearly as quickly, but good old laces are still found on most running shoes. It seems runners like the tried and tested. However, even my somewhat jaded eyes – about lacing, at least – have been opened by PUMA’ s new NETFIT technology, released a few months ago in the Speed IGNITE NETFIT model.
PUMA hits the mark when they describe it as“ One shoe, infinite customisable fits,” because this lacing system allows you to try what must be hundreds of different setups and combinations of lacing, to fit any foot! They even give you a handy starting point on the underside of the shoe box lid, with diagrams of five lacing options to start with, namely standard, stability, wide foot, narrow foot and heel support. And a second pair of longer laces, should your lacing set-up need more length.
Basically, the shoe upper features a full-length evoKNIT compression sleeve bootie that hugs the foot for a really smooth, comfortable fit, and then overlaid on that is the NETFIT system. It looks like a net, hence the name, and this is where the lacing fun begins, because each hole in the net is a potential eyelet for a lace to go through. It’ s made from a high-grade nylon material that I have found to be very durable in my wear-testing thus far, with no signs of fraying or tearing.
PUTTING IT TO THE TEST
Now, I have a neutral foot, and have always used the standard cross-over lacing system in standard eyelets for more than 20 years of running, but I was intrigued by the options on the box diagram, so I sat down to play with my laces. First I copied the wide foot option, because I have ever so slightly wider feet, hence I have always worn a half-size shoe for extra width. My one foot is ever so slightly bigger than the other, too( which is quite normal, I hasten to add). I could immediately feel the difference when I took the shoes for a loop around the block. Out of interest, I then tried the narrow foot system. I could feel the tighter fit across my foot … and my feet hated it. So it works.
The stability option also looked intriguing, with the lacing on the medial( inner) side going much further down towards the midsole, so I gave that a try. Now my feet do not overpronate, so I am obviously not going to feel the full effect of this lacing option, but I could nevertheless perceive the extra support in that area thanks to the tighter fit on that side. I also tried the heel support option, but went further than just the suggested double-loop on the top eyelet shown in the box diagram – I actually threaded the laces further back towards the ankle to see how it would feel, and it definitely grips the ankle tighter. Also, keep in mind that the heel cup is connected to the NETFIT, so the heel fit can really be made snug.
I’ M A FAN OF THIS SHOE
With all the focus on the upper, it is easy to forget about the actual ride of the shoe. The IGNITE PU foam midsole offers great cushioning to combat the impact of the foot-strike, but this model actually offers better bounce back than some previous PUMA models, because they’ ve reduced the volume of Ignite. Perhaps it’ s the lower overall ride and 6mm heel to forefoot drop that makes the shoe feel faster, because it promotes midfoot / forefoot running, but I actually find this shoe‘ faster’ than other Puma models I have tested.
My last word is that while other shoe companies have models with variable lacing systems, this design takes things to a new level, and as one of my running friends said,“ If you can’ t get the right fit in this shoe, you’ re just not trying!”
GET THEM HERE: The PUMA Ignite NETFIT is available in men’ s and women’ s versions at PUMA stockists nationwide, at a recommended price point of R2799( men’ s) and R2599( women’ s). Note that prices may vary from one stockist to another.
Images: Courtesy PUMA
36 ISSUE 100 NOVEMBER 2017 / www. modernathlete. co. za