FourFourTwo Verdict
Puma might just have broken the Nike and Adidas duopoly on the football boot market, by creating something that not only looks fantastic, but is also backed by science. While the Puma Ultra 5 Carbon may be on the pricey side, they're worth every penny.
Pros
- +
Very responsive soleplate
- +
Great traction
- +
Good comfort
Cons
- -
Awkward sizing
The release of the Puma Ultra 5 Carbon could see the German brand overtake the competition in the speed boot department.
A boot that has taken fully four years to design and manufacture, Puma are hoping this innovative model will not only blow away the competition in the speed boot market, but become one of the best options available in general.
So, we got our hands on the Puma Ultra 5 Carbon and put them through their paces. Here's how we found them...
Puma Ultra 5 Carbon Review
Usually, brands make a compromise between comfort and responsiveness, more so with the stiffness that comes with the use of carbon fibre, but Puma have done an excellent job ensuring that comfort is not an issue in this boot.
The upper is remarkably soft and pliable straight out of the box and the Pwrtape SQD support frame helps provide a more custom moulded fit when broken-in. Ultra-thin and super lightweight, the upper provides a barefoot feel on the ball, while the GripControl Pro skin texturing feels very gritty to touch and helps provide extra grip when dribbling – great for wingers looking to jink past their opponents. All striking actions in this boot feel very responsive and natural, too, whether it’s passing, dribbling or shooting, so midfielders and strikers would definitely feel the benefit of these boots.
Underfoot, though, is where the magic happens. The Speedsystm outsole is comprised entirely of carbon fibre, helping provide a more responsive experience when sprinting, twisting and turning. I certainly noticed a lot more feedback than the best football boots available, with the aggressive stud configuration also helping.
Featuring FastTrax studs which Puma designed based on academic research and traction studies, the outsole doesn't only look impressive, it also performs extremely well. While playing you constantly feel stable and ready to adapt to any situation developing on the pitch, with the springiness of the soleplate making it feel like you're propelled forwards when sprinting.
Honestly, it's the most explosive soleplate I've ever experienced. When it comes to sizing, I found they have a narrower fit so I'd recommend players with wider feet stay away from these – or at least try them on before committing to a purchase.
There aren't any issues with lockdown in the heel area, though, which features Ortholite cushioning for superior comfort, too.
They may have taken four years to become a reality, but the Puma Ultra 5 Carbon is one of the best pieces of innovation and engineering that the brand has produced in a very long time, and certainly a massive upgrade on the previous Puma Ultra 1.4 model.
In this boot you will experience an outsole that truly stands apart from everything else currently on the market, along with a barefoot, responsive touch on the ball. The best way I can sum these boots up is by comparing them to a pair of track spikes - they are that specifically engineered for speed.
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