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The PUMA Fuse Training Shoes are definitely one of the more surprising pairs of shoes I’ve tested recently. When you think cross-training shoes, PUMA is never really a brand that comes to mind. However, with their first-ever PUMA FUSE shoes hitting the cross-training shoe market, I think that mindset will soon change.
Personally, I’ve been really enjoying training in the PUMA Fuse Training Shoes. I was skeptical going into this model because I haven’t worn PUMA shoes since high school, but overall, this model has held its own across all of my training tests. Plus, for the money, you can’t really fault how this shoe performs across the board.
In this PUMA FUSE Training Shoe review, I break down all of the key details that you should know before you invest in this model.
- Who Should Buy the PUMA FUSE Training Shoes?
- PUMA FUSE Pros
- PUMA FUSE Cons
- PUMA FUSE Performance
- Sizing and Fit
- Price
- Construction Details
- FAQs
As always, I’ve also put together a PUMA FUSE video review, check it out below. Also, check out the TF2 cross-training shoe calculator for help finding your perfect pair of training shoes.
Who Should Buy the PUMA FUSE Training Shoes?
After testing these shoes in a variety of training settings, I’ve come to really enjoy their fit and feel. Plus, for the price, I think they’re tough to beat on that front.
If you are someone on the market for a new pair of budget-friendly cross-trainers and stability is at the forefront of your needs, then I think the PUMA FUSE Training Shoes are worth it.
PUMA FUSE
Best For
- Heavy Training
- Agility Workouts
- HIIT Training
- Sprints
Falls Short
- For All-Day Comfort
- For Longer Runs
PUMA FUSE Pros
I like the PUMA FUSE Training Shoes for three particular reasons.
- Cost-Efficient Model
- Stable Midsole and Outsole
- Decent Construction
The first aspect that I really like about this model is the cost. For $90 USD, this cross-training shoe is tough to beat especially as a new model. Most popular cross-trainers sit around $130.00-$150.00 USD, so to have a pair for $40-$60 less than its peers, that’s not a bad deal. I love the budget-friendliness of this model.
Another aspect that I like about this shoe is its overall stability. I’m not going to lie, this was a characteristic that I doubted the FUSE would perform well in, however, I stand corrected. The midsole and outsole on this shoe ground the feel really well and provide stability under a variety of loads. Plus, the 4mm heel-to-toe offset provides a nice low-to-the-ground feeling.
The final characteristic that I like about the PUMA FUSE Training Shoes is their overall construction. When we think of serious cross-trainers, generally, we’ll consider plastic heel clips, rope climbing add-ons, durable uppers, and stable outsole and midsole construction. The PUMA FUSE does a good job at ticking most of these boxes, and mind you, this is the first model in this shoe line.
- SHOP THIS MODEL ON PUMA ($90)
- SHOP THIS MODEL ON AMAZON ($65-90)
PUMA FUSE Cons
Despite having multiple aspects going for it, the PUMA FUSE Training Shoes do come with two cons I could others having with this model.
- Sizing
- Responsiveness
To PUMA’s credit, they do an okay job at disclosing on their site that this model runs small, but that doesn’t take away from how narrow the mid-foot is. If you have a wider foot, then I’d suggest either going up a .5-1 size or looking at other models. The mid-foot in this model is fairly tight, so that is an aspect one should consider before buying.
The second potential con I could see other lifters and athletes having is the shoe’s responsiveness. They perform well in agility and plyometric workouts, but with how stable they are, they do lack a little responsiveness. If you’re someone who’s buying this model primarily for bounding activities, then keep in mind that you likely won’t get the same responsiveness that you’re used to.
PUMA FUSE Performance
Across the board, I thought this shoe held its own really well. When I review cross-training shoes, I’m constantly comparing how a model performs to other top players in the market. For being in its first pass, the PUMA FUSE did a pretty job in all of my tests.
Lifting
Under the barbell and when managing load, I thought the PUMA FUSE was one of the more stable cross-training shoes I’ve reviewed in 2021. It has a minimalist type midsole and the outsole provides a nice flat base to splay the toes on and grip the floor with.
In addition, the model features a 4mm heel-to-toe offset which is pretty standard in most big cross-training shoe models. Overall, I thought this model ticked the box really well for stability.
Agility and Plyometrics
With agility and plyometrics, I liked this model, but there are definitely areas where PUMA can improve. I like the wider toe box and PUMAGRIP outsole for multi-directional traction. Also, I like the medial and lateral mid-foot construction for rope climbing support.
The only caveat about this model with agility and plyometrics is its responsiveness. I think the overall stability does take away slightly from this shoe’s ability to provide a responsive feeling when jumping and doing other bounding activities.
Day-to-Day and Shorter Runs
On a day-to-day basis, this model is what you’d expect from a stable cross-training shoe. It’s not the most comfortable for longer durations, but it will work when throwing them on for a couple of hours. I will say though, if you have a wider foot, then you might find this model uncomfortable for long periods due to its narrow mid-foot.
With shorter runs, this model will work. It’s not my favorite shoe to run in, but if the task is in a workout in the form of a shorter run, then you can rock them to get the job done. For longer runs (over 3 miles), I would skip this model.
Suggested Read: The insane history and 10+ year transformation of the Reebok Nano.
Sizing and Fit
If you’re investing in a pair of PUMA FUSE Training Shoes, then pay close attention to their sizing. PUMA recommends going up a half size, but I’d suggest going up potentially a full size for lifters and athletes with wider feet due to this model’s narrow mid-foot construction.
- Narrower Feet: Go up a half size.
- Wider Feet: Go up a full size.
Price
I’ve touched on the price already, but for the PUMA FUSE Training Shoes, you can expect to pay $90 USD. Honestly, I think this is a really fair price especially when you compare this model to its competitors.
Note, if you have a smaller shoe size, then you can actually find this model for less than $90 USD on Amazon right now.
PUMA FUSE
Best For
- Heavy Training
- Agility Workouts
- HIIT Training
- Sprints
Falls Short
- For All-Day Comfort
- For Longer Runs
Construction Details
To provide a quick synopsis of the construction specs for the PUMA FUSE Training Shoes, I’m going to drop the info that PUMA provided on their site below.
If you want a visual and in-depth construction analysis, then skip to 7:25 in my video above!
- New training silhouette
- High tensile mesh upper built to withstand the toughest workouts, abrasion and tension
- Wide toe box for enhanced toe strength and support
- Full lace closure with thin suede tongue structure
- Internal midsole for low-to-ground shock absorption
- PUMAGRIP outsole with rubber wrap-ups for stability and support
- Vertical flex lines for improved metatarsal foot splay
- TPU clip wrapped around back heel for additional support
- Inverted PUMA Formstrip at lateral side
Overall, the construction of this model is pretty solid. The PUMA FUSE tick a lot of the cross-training boxes that many look for in more serious models for training.
PUMA FUSE Training Shoes FAQs
You can run shorter distances in the PUMA Fuse Training Shoes. However, I would cap your running in this model to about three miles or less. The narrow mid-foot and stable outsole construction make this model not the most comfortable for longer runs.
Absolutely. The PUMA Fuse Training Shoes have a 4mm heel-to-toe offset and a midsole and outsole that are designed to promote stability. Additionally, the toe box is designed to be slightly wider to accommodate for toe play.
For men, it’s a good idea to size up a half size of full size with the PUMA FUSE Training Shoes. If you have a wider foot, then lean towards going a full size up. For women, PUMA recommends going 1.5 sizes down from your normal shoe size.
