Puma has done spikeless golf shoes before, but the Ignite Spikeless is the first time they have put a lot of marketing weight behind one and it is not hard to see why.
The styling is classic Puma with a nice mix of subtlety and bold colours. The 'Surf The Web/Green Gecko' design you see here is one of two white based designs that probably suit more on course wear.
However the three other colour schemes of Black, Chipmunk and Drizzle, or black, brown and grey in English, will have more appeal for non-golf occasions and I like the way the logo stripe is blended into the background to give it the more casual, everyday look.
The key to the Ignite Spikeless range is the construction of the sole that features the Ignite rebounding foam to absorb impact and store energy as it is compressed and then return it as you lift off to make life easier as you walk.
This technology has been successfully used in Puma running shoes and like the other major sports shoe manufacturers, Puma has decided to bring this type of material over into golf.
It is the same material that is in the heel area of the Puma TitanTour Ignite shoe that I reviewed, but in the Ignite Spikeless it is down the full length of the shoe.
When I discussed this with Head of Footwear Grant Knudson he said that as a more classic golf shoe, the TitanTour Ignite puts you in a more athletic position on your toes so they did not want to put the Ignite Foam down the full length.
This implies that the Ignite Spikeless is more of a crossover or recreational golf shoe and I would probably go along with that.
The Ignite sole is very comfortable indeed and the substantial 39 hexagonal and 24 chevron shaped lugs in the 'Gripzone' provide a good level of grip whilst also being flexible enough to maintain comfort.
The upper is made from full grain leather that is light, thin and quite robust at the same time. It felt a little firmer than some of the more supple leathers that you tend to get on these types of shoes and as a result took a bit of breaking in.
On the plus side, this means the Ignite Spikeless shoes hold their looks and shape a lot longer so that is a positive trade off.
The mid section around the laces is a little more robust and I liked the ability to change the colour of the laces between the two options supplied as it really changes the character of the shoe.
The rear section around the heel features a breathable mesh that provides a high level of comfort around your ankle, but does not provide quite the same level of support as a more structured shoes like the TitanTour Ignite.
Whilst there is a 2 year waterproof guarantee with the Ignite Spikeless upper, I am not sure the mesh part will be able to keep much moisture out and it illustrates really why this is more of a casual shoe for recreational golf, going to the range or wearing casually.
The heel design will hold your foot steady, but like some other less structured, more mobile shoes it will also allow your foot to move more during the swing, so that may or may not suit your swing.
The textile inner lining, lightweight foam tongue and removable insole are all very good and contribute to the all round comfort of a shoe that is lighter than most spikeless shoes.
Comfort is really the world that sums the Puma Ignite Spikeless shoe up as it scores highly for that in an understated, yet classy style. Whilst it will do a good job on the course, it is really around and off the course that the Ignite Spikeless lights up.