Puma Fuse 2.0 Review

Puma Fuse 2.0 Pros

Over the course of my training sessions with the Puma Fuse 2.0, I’ve found multiple things to like about this model.

1. Well-Rounded Cross-Training Shoe for a Fair Price
2. Upper Seems More Durable for Rope Climbs
3. Reworked Last Construction Will Be More Sizing Inclusive

The first thing to like about the Puma Fuse 2.0 is that it’s a good well-rounded cross-training shoe for a budget-friendly price. This model’s price point has been increased from $90 to $100 USD, but compared to other premium shoes, it’s still on the lower end.

Not everyone wants to or can spend $150 USD on training shoes like the RAD ONE and STR/KE MVMNT Haze Trainer. If you need a model that can hold its own in the gym for some tougher CrossFit, lifting, and cross-training sessions, the Fuse 2.0 is a good option.

The Puma Fuse 2.0 did an exceptional job for most of my strength sessions and I think its stability will be more than enough for most lifters. For athletic-style training, I also really enjoyed this shoe’s PUMAGrip outsole and its forefoot flexibility.

I felt springy in this shoe and for sessions where I was doing sprints and plyometrics, I really enjoyed the “springiness” of the Puma Fuse 2.0. In the context of CrossFit, this model also performed strongly and it did a much better job with j-wrap rope climbing.

Speaking of CrossFit and rope climbing, the second thing to enjoy with the Puma Fuse 2.0 is that its reworked upper construction feels better for long-term durability compared to its predecessor.

This model has ditched the plastic-synthetic overlay on the lateral side of the shoe, which is a good move for preventing materials from peeling and coming off, a problem that the Puma Fuse had.

Additionally, I like the upper construction in this model for overall security and abrasion resistance. This shoe features overlays around the toe box and midfoot, and I have yet to have issues with the upper stretching or fraying.

The last aspect to like about the Puma Fuse 2.0 is its updates last construction. In the Puma Fuse, the midfoot and forefoot were pretty narrow and uncomfortable, and a lot of athletes and lifters didn’t really enjoy the fit of this shoe.

In the Puma Fuse 2.0, it appears Puma increased the width of the forefoot and midfoot while giving this shoe a bit more upper volume. I think this model will be a lot more inclusive sizing-wise for different athletes and lifters. I have a neutral-width foot and find this model to be plenty spacious.

Puma Fuse 2.0 Cons

While I like the Puma Fuse 2.0 and think it’s a stronger model compared to the original Fuse, there are a couple of cons to note about this shoe.

1. May Still Lack for Serious Niche Training
2. Midfoot Could Still Lack Width for Super Flat/Wide Feet

The first drawback with the Puma Fuse 2.0 is that I don’t think it’s going to be the best training shoe for those needing a model for more serious niche training, and more specifically heavy barbell work and competitive CrossFit.

For barbell training, I think the thicker insole in the Puma Fuse 2.0 will be the downfall for this shoe’s stability. When walking back squats over 315 lbs and deadlifts over 455 lbs, you feel the insole compress a bit which could bother some lifters.

I didn’t think this impacted performance to a huge degree, but if you are very specific with your heavy strength work or just like much more dense and stable trainers, then I think you’ll want a more stable training shoe. 

For serious CrossFit, I could see the upper durability on the Puma Fuse 2.0 being an issue for long-term durability. This model’s durability is much better than the Puma Fuse, but I still think there could be some issues with the mesh around the midfoot on this shoe.

Another potential drawback that I could see others having with the Puma Fuse 2.0 is that it’s still not going to be your trainer for super wide and flat feet. Despite the sizing of this shoe being improved, I still think it may lack for those with specific shoe fit needs.

The thicker insole in this shoe also gives this model a lower profile feel with its upper construction. If you have to use custom inserts or orthotics, you’ll want to be conscious of this before investing in this shoe.

For example, if you have super thin insoles, then you’ll want to make sure you won’t mind the more minimalist feel you’ll then get due to the sole being really thin when the insole is removed. Conversely, thicker insoles may limit your upper volume.

Performance

To break down the performance of the Puma Fuse 2.0, I’ll discuss how these shoes perform in various training settings. I’ll talk about their performance for lifting, CrossFit, versatile training, short runs, and daily wear.

If you’re on the fence about the Puma Fuse 2.0, hopefully, this section below helps you cross-reference this model’s performance for your overall training needs.

Testing the Puma Fuse 2.0 for Lifting and CrossFit

For lifting, I’ve enjoyed the performance of the Puma Fuse 2.0 for three key reasons. First, the stability of this shoe does a pretty good job across the board. For squats over 315 lbs and deadlifts up to 455 lbs, this model did an okay job.

You feel the insole compress a bit for lifts at these intensities, but not to a degree that completely takes away from this shoe’s performance. I think if you’re training around those numbers or below them, then you’ll enjoy the stability of the Fuse 2.0.

Second, this shoe’s sole has a nice level of articulation and it moves well with more dynamic lifts. For example, I like how the forefoot moves and grips the floor when doing unilateral leg exercises like walking lunges and I like the mobility for cleans.

Third and lastly, the PUMAGrip outsole provides a nice level of traction on different surfaces. Whether you’re lifting on rubber gym floors, turf, or wood platforms, outsole grip shouldn’t be an issue with this model.

For CrossFit, I enjoyed the performance of the Fuse 2.0 and you can tell it’s a better model than the original. When rope climbing, this shoe’s midfoot provides a decent level of traction and the upper has also done a good job from a durability point of view.

The thicker insole also feeds well into box jumps and jump rope (double-unders) where you want more responsiveness in the forefoot. For these contexts, the insole felt lively and springy, which I personally enjoyed.

I am curious to see how this shoe’s upper fairs for long-term wear for serious CrossFit because it is pretty light in nature, but for my testing, the Puma Fuse 2.0 has done a pretty good job for CrossFit.

Testing the Puma Fuse 2.0 for Versatile Training

In the context of versatile training, I thought the Puma Fuse 2.0 delivered a pretty strong performance. I’ve enjoyed this shoe for my athletic-style workouts where I was blending lifting, jumping, and sprinting all into one session.

The FUSEFLEX grooves in the forefoot allow you to really dig into the ground and it allows the forefoot of this shoe to move with the foot. For multi-directional exercises and plyometrics, this feature was great for improving performance.

The upper in this shoe is also a plus for versatile training, as it does a good job locking down the foot and promoting security. I never had issues with spillover in this model and the upper breaths well in hotter training settings.

I think if you’re wanting this shoe for casual HIIT workouts and athletic-style sessions, then you’ll enjoy the performance of the Fuse 2.0. They feel athletic and lightweight, and the internal midsole provides a nice “bounce” when training.

Testing the Puma Fuse 2.0 for Short Runs and Daily Wear

The Puma Fuse 2.0 is best for short runs between 1 and 2 miles and sprints. The thicker insole in this model helps this shoe perform well for runs where you’ll be primarily on the forefoot, like sprints.

I also like how “athletic” this shoe feels for short runs and I think it will work fine for most runs programmed in WODs. For long runs, I’d pass on this shoe due to its comfort and I’d suggest looking for something more specific for long-distance runs. 

On a daily wear basis, I like the Puma Fuse 2.0 for the most part. It’s a bit more comfortable than other trainers due to its flexible sole and thicker insole construction.

I could see this shoe being good for those who are on their feet for most of the day and want a shoe that they can also wear to the gym to train in. My only complaint with this shoe for daily wear is that the upper volume can feel a little limiting for some foot anatomies.

Puma Fuse 2.0 Sizing

For the Puma Fuse 2.0, most lifters and athletes should be safe going true to size in this shoe. This shoe’s last construction has been updated from the Puma Fuse, so I think the sizing of this shoe will be better for a wider range of foot anatomies.

For example, the Puma Fuse ran super narrow through the midfoot and the forefoot wasn’t the widest despite it being marketed as a “wider” toe box. On top of this, the upper in the Fuse had a pretty low volume which was limiting for inserts.

In the Puma Fuse 2.0, you now have a bit more upper volume, the forefoot is slightly wider, and the midfoot feels much more neutral. Basically, all of the sizing issues from the Puma Fuse have been improved slightly in the Puma Fuse 2.0.

• Puma Fuse 2.0 Sizing Thoughts: Go true to size.

If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the Puma Fuse 2.0 or how they compare to other cross-training shoes, drop a comment below.

Price Breakdown

For the Puma Fuse 2.0, you can expect to pay $100 USD. I think this price point is really fair for what this shoe has to offer, especially considering its construction and performance.

Compared to other CrossFit shoes that are often priced between $130-150 USD, the Puma Fuse 2.0’s price is a breath of fresh air. Generally, when you have CrossFit and cross-training-focused models that have lower prices you lose out on performance.

Overall, I never felt like the Puma Fuse 2.0 couldn’t handle the tasks I threw at them. They’re durable enough for general CrossFit workouts and should be plenty stable for most recreational lifters.

Construction Details

The Puma Fuse 2.0 has some updated construction features and some that have carried over from the original Fuse. Below are the key construction details to know for the Puma Fuse 2.0.

• Heel-to-Toe Drop: 4mm
• Weight: 13.30 oz (for my size 10 model)
• Removable Insole: Yes
• PUMAGrip Outsole Tread
• TPU Heel Clip
• FUSEFLEX Vertical Grooves for Toe Splay
• Updated Last Construction
• Extended Outsole Wrap Around Midfoot and Forefoot
• Internal Midsole, AKA Thick Insole
• 6 Core Eyelets

Takeaway Thoughts

Across the board, the Puma Fuse 2.0 has been a solid budget-friendly training shoe. I like that Puma made multiple notable upgrades on this model based on the feedback they received on the original Puma Fuse.

The Puma Fuse 2.0 feels more durable long-term and it has a reworked last construction to be a bit more inclusive with its sizing and fit.

There are some areas where I think the Fuse 2.0 will fall short, but for the most part, I think this shoe will work for many athletes and lifters, especially those who want to save.

If you have additional questions on the Puma Fuse 2.0, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend).