Puma IGNITE NXT Crafted Golf Shoe
Puma Golf took one of their latest shoe platforms, the IGNITE NXT, and added premium leather saddles to capture a vibe of elegance while still delivering a modern high-performance golf shoe. The leather will naturally patina and wear over time to give each Puma IGNITE NXT Crafted a truly unique look. These shoes are about more than premium leather looks, however, as they are a comfortable and strong performing spikeless golf shoe.
The Looks
Currently, the Puma IGNITE NXT Crafted is available in four different colorways. Navy, black, and white come with brown leather saddles while Puma also offers white with a grey saddle. The white/grey combo is pretty sharp for the summer season if you ask me. These saddles we’re talking about also serve a functional purpose. They are what Puma calls the “PWRCAGE” which creates a firm wrap around your foot for more stability. In my opinion, the NXT Crafted is a great all-purpose shoe around the club. Looks great on the course and appropriate around the clubhouse as well.
It’s worth noting that Puma used a thin film called SOLESHIELD on the midsole that makes cleaning it off easy. Nothing’s worse than when your white midsole eventually stains from all the dirt, mud, grass, and sand. So far, it’s worked as advertised for me.
Comfort Level
Much like the other Puma IGNITE NXT shoes, the Crafted are an extremely comfortable spikeless golf shoe. The IGNITE foam of the midsole makes for an extremely comfortable walk over the whole day. Adding to the comfort is the Crafted’s waterproof upper. There’s a one year waterproof guarantee to assure you that your feet will stay dry. This isn’t super common for a softer golf shoe like this so that’s a nice bonus.
The NXT Crafted is super light and also supportive. The PWRCAGE wraps the shoe snuggly around your foot without making it rigid. As a result, you get the support you need in your swing while also having the flexibility you need at the right times. From a comfort perspective, you won’t regret wearing these shoes for a full day of golf.
Quick note about fit: Puma mentions that these shoes fit slightly long and it may be worth going a half size down. I would agree with this recommendation.
On-Course Performance
I’ve already mentioned that the Puma IGNITE NXT Crafted is comfortable, keeps your feet dry, and provides stability. That addresses a large portion of shoe performance right there so let’s focus on the spikeless traction system. Like other NXT spikeless shoes, Puma used “more than 100 strategically placed directional hexagon lugs in proper zones for increased traction throughout the swing delivering even more grip and power”. In my review for the NXT Solelace, I mentioned my expectations for traction with this system were low. Naturally, I was proven wrong and found the hexagonal lugs to have plenty of grip during the swing as well as walking. Though maybe a small detail, they are also fine walking through parking lots as well. If you know, you know. Last but not least, there is strong ground feedback through the sole so you will feel well connected and balanced in most lies.
Final Thoughts – Puma IGNITE NXT Crafted
Puma has made a lot of great shoes in recent years, but their style is generally more modern. Though some of Rickie’s shoe models are closer to traditional in terms of a golf shoe, they still have a more modern and youthful look. The IGNITE NXT Crafted has a classic look that will be more appealing to traditionalist golfers without losing Puma’s contemporary aesthetic. With incredible comfort and good on-course performance, the IGNITE NXT Crafted is a dependable shoe with an added touch of elegance.
