Review: Puma Bolt evoSPEED Runner
When it comes to running shoes, I’m a creature of habit. I’ve bought the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11 three times in a row, switching up only the colors.
The only problem with my Brooks is that even though they are deemed “lightweight," I sometimes feel like I’m hauling around a little too much shoe. For this reason, I was pretty psyched when a pair of Puma’s Bolt evoSPEED Runner shoes arrived at my desk. evoSPEED is Puma’s latest line lightweight athletic shoes, which was inspired by sprinter Usain Bolt. It’s meant to be a line of men’s shoes, but I made one of the smallest sizes work. I took the evoSPEEDs out for a couple of three- to four-mile runs this week.
Pros: I run for fun, and don’t get hung up on speed. Still, because this shoe is so lightweight, you can go faster, naturally. While I was a little concerned that the “light, fit, flex” design would be a little too flexible, the evoSPEED has a snug fit and its single-layer mesh upper is there more for breathability than stretch, which I like. Plus, the colors are fun—perfect for the 5-K that I’m signed up for on the Fourth of July.
Cons: The only problem I ran into was a lack of arch and ankle support. A bit of an overpronator and the victim of years of ankle sprains and twists, I’m all about shoes that keep everything in place. With the evoSPEED there was a gap between the top of my foot’s arch and the bottom of the shoe that I wasn't used to. It seemed as though I was landing more flat-footed against the pavement than I typically do.
Bottom Line: The evoSPEED would likely help a runner with normal arches, who doesn’t need a lot of support in a shoe, chip away at a PR. I’ll wear them on hot days since they’re so breathable, but I probably can’t make these snazzy sneaks my everyday running shoes.
-Hollis Templeton is an associate editor at Fitbie
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