Puma & Reebok: Two for the run

The author weighs in on the 'lockable' Puma Ignite Disc and the uber flexible Reebok ZPrint Run

I can still remember it as if it was yesterday. I had crept up the left flank, unnoticed, to the penalty box when the ball was passed to me; only the goalkeeper stood between me and glory. I paused, took aim and kicked the ball. Then it happened. My shoe flew off with the ball, taking the arc I had intended for the ball. Since then, I've stayed away from non-lace-up shoes for all activities. Till I got to review Puma's Ignite Disc.

The Ignite Disc looks like a regular Ignite for all practical purposes, but features lace-less system - turn the disc clockwise to tighten the wires in the frame and secure the shoe; and a single turn anti-clockwise to take it off .

The Disc features a 12mm drop from heel to toe, thus the cushioning was good, with great support and rebound. In fact, as I am a mid-sole striker, I felt the Disc gave me more support and rebound than the original Ignite. I also did a series of exercises involving squats and jumps, and I felt no fatigue.

Over gravel, grass and dirt tracks, I ran and swerved to the right and left at speed, but the outsole stayed true, while the insole gave good cushioning to the foot. I also kicked around a few footballs on one occasion and no, it didn't fly off my foot.

Price: Rs 11,999

When Reebok came out with the ZPrint Run, what I found interesting were the 3D foot scans used to design the shoe and make it adaptable. When I first saw the pair, it looked like any other all-mesh shoe - till I turned it over.

The sole of the shoe is "decoupled", that is, the centre of the sole and the outer portion are made of two different sections. While the outer section is firm and provides support, the softer inner section provides flexibility. The shoe felt like a glove after I put it on; Normally, I prefer more space for my toes, but while this one provides a snug fit, it didn't feel uncomfortable at that moment. The first time I walked in the pair, the sole seemed too stiff for my liking. But after walking for close to two hours at a shopping mall, they felt more natural.

On concrete and metalled roads, the ZPrint Run felt natural, with good grip and moderate cushioning. There seemed a tad less grip when I hit the dirt track, but it wasn't worrisome. Over gravel it was a bit painful.

I decided to try a bit of training in this pair, though it wasn't the training version. Not only did I not slip on the concrete surface, the pair offered a lot of flexibility. In fact, it is so flexible that I could practically roll up the shoe.

Price: Rs 7,999