REVIEW: PUMA Ultraride

The PUMA Ultraride is their lightweight trainer with a snappy feel and cool look. The shoe, which weighs only 243 grams, is designed for fast workouts – it’s an ideal trainer for the track or for a hard road session. If you’re not sold on the maximal shoe movement, then this minimal trainer is for you. 

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Weight: 243 g (8.6 oz.) for men’s size 9
Drop: 12 mm
MSRP: $120 CAD
Available: Now

The upper

The fit of this shoe is impressive and reminiscent of the Adidas Adios. It boasts a very light mesh upper, with traditional lacing system and a foot bed that runs narrow. Personally, I’m a real sucker for traditional laces (and I’ve got a narrow foot), so the Ultraride fit was appealing. On top of running a little narrow, the midfoot feel was particularly comfortable thanks to the airy mesh covering most of the shoe, with a little extra around the arch. This additional layer around the midfoot and a TPU heel counter at the back of the shoe gave the foot support where I needed it, but not where I didn’t.

The midsole

The midsole of the Ultraride has an EVA foam called PROFOAMLITE for cushioning, which is coupled with a plastic propulsion plate for rigidity and stability. This combination provided a smooth ride, while also allowing me to feel the ground. To keep the shoe light, PUMA created some negative space, leaving a cutout between the midsole and plate.

Another bonus of the Ultraride is the lower stack height. For speed work, the high stack heights of maximal shoes can feel unstable, especially on the track, but the Ultraride’s low-to-the-ground feel helped me run faster and remain confident in the shoe underfoot. 

The outsole

The outsole is rubber with several cutaways (where you can see right through to the midsole plate) to save on weight. Even though the outsole is minimal, I found the shoe still performed well doing strides on loose gravel, but it was especially strong on the roads. On top of a light but reliable tread, the minimal rocker allows for natural movement, making the Ultraride a great shoe for the gym as well. 

Final thoughts

As a track runner, I found this shoe a welcome addition to my lineup, as many of the shoes released lately are more maximal. While this shoe isn’t for an easy day or a long run, its minimal approach to speed feels wonderful on the track, roads and even loose gravel. This shoe runs a little narrow and certainly has a firm feel, so if you prefer something plush, give the Speed 600 a try. However, if you’re looking to do anything from a tempo effort to some quick 200s, this ultralight trainer is a great choice. 

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