Puma Tsugi Netfit Batman - sneaker review

Dec 12, 2017
5 min read

"Tsugi" is a Japanese word for "next". Wearing the Puma Tsugi Netfit Batman Shoe Palace x Justice League makes one feel that he/she will be the NEXT Batman.

Puma Tsugi were launched during the latter parts of the year 2016. It was made to compete with Adidas' NMDs and Nike's Huaraches by making cloud-like cushion affordable to the general public. Puma Tsugi is equipped with "Netfit" and "Ignite," both of which have already revolutionized the sneaker market.

SOLE

There's nothing much to talk about its sole. Basically, the Puma Tsugi Netfit Batman is a runner shoe, so traction isn't a focal point. Nonetheless, I've tried walking on slopes with this shoes and I gotta admit, its grip on the surface is pretty impressive. Its ridges provides substantial amount of grip and boost that makes walking a little less taxing. I also tried walking on smooth tiles, and as expected, I couldn't feel that much grip.

The sole comes with an outrigger at the outer side of it. Considering that the shoe runs narrow and that its midsole is a bit high, lack of an outrigger is an automatic deal breaker, at least for me. Like I said, the shoe is a little bit high, an outrigger is essential to prevent ankle rolls and unwanted injuries. While the Puma Tsugi Netfit Batman is not a performance shoe, it is nonetheless a runner.

One of my favorite feature of this shoe is the design of the sole. Yes, its an ordinary sole BUT, it glows in the dark. At first, I thought that they used cheap glow materials but apparently, it comes with a solid glow when you enter a dark room.

MIDSOLE

Puma Tsugi Netfit Batman is equipped with Puma's innovative cushioning called "Ignite". Ignite is made out of springy TPUs (thermoplastic polyurethane), the very same materials used for Boost and Ultra Boost. From what I've learned, the Ignite cushion are created by the same company that created Boost. The only difference between the two is that Boost is melted to perfection.

Having said that, Puma Ignite is a comfortable ride. With Ignite, Puma Tsugi Netfit Batman provides a high rebound cushion set-up. In sneakerhead parlance, it means that the faster or harder you run/walk, the more you will feel the ignite foam and its return of energy. This return of energy is beneficial to the knees as it lessens impact while walking or running and prevents stress while standing for a long time.

UPPER

The materials they used for this shoe is plush and premium. The upper seems like a cross between mesh, knit, and synthetic overlays. It is soft and flexible like mesh, stretchable like knit, and provides adequate support around the foot like synthetic overlays. Not only are the materials premium but it also feels durable. It is a one-piece upper with Netfits on both sides.

The more intriguing feature of the shoe is Puma's latest technology called "Netfit". Basically, it is a net with multiple perforations where the laces can go through. The flexibility of different lace set-ups provide for a flexible fit. It can accommodate narrow foot lacing, wide foot lacing, and lacing to provide better heel support.

The heel counter looks very similar to the Nike Huaraches but unlike the Huaraches, it didn't pull or kept my heel in place. While my heel wasn't secure, I have yet to understand how Netfit works and how I can adjust it to get the heel lockdown that I prefer.

DESIGN

Aesthetically, Puma Tsugi silhouette looks familiar to Nike Huaraches. Its not that bad since it gives a whole different vibe to it. The design on the midsoles provides that grit and urban-like feel. The Netfit doesn't look good at the beginning, but its starting to grow on me.

There are a couple of subtle Batman hints on the shoe. The right tongue supports a Batman logo while the heel counters have "Bat" and "Man" embroidered over it. Other than those two subtle hints, no other visible Batman logos on the shoe. I'm not mad that they used subtle Batman design and called this a Batman shoe. But more than those subtle Batman design, I really love its glow-in-the-dark soles.

SIZING

Puma Tsugi Netfit Batman runs narrow but as already mentioned, the Netfit technology accommodates wide-footers like me. Also consider that Puma's sizing is different from Nike and Adidas. I'm usually a size 8 or 8.5 on Nike, but I had to go up a full size for this shoe. Despite that, I was still able to get that true-to-fit size. Considering that the Puma Tsugi Netfit Batman are only available abroad, I suggest you try a same model in any of the Puma stores. There's one in Greenbelt 5 and another in Bonifacio High Street. Better to check your size at those stores before ordering online.

OVERALL

I didn't expect much from this shoe other than its Batman design. I spent $105 for it and it felt like I've bought a new pair of Adidas Ultra Boosts. At the very least, Ultra Boosts costs $180, and while the discrepancy of price is huge, Ignite is hardly distinguishable from that of Ultra Boosts. Surprisingly, the difference between the two is barely noticeable.

Netfit has a lot of potential. But for a person who has so little time to spare, I don't appreciate how I have to tinker with it first before I can get that heel lockdown that I like. There are also some faux type leather on the tongue of the shoes so it might require little to medium maintenance. Better to keep this shoe with dehumidifiers to prevent the leather from peeling off.

The plush upper, while great on its own, does not compliment the stiffness of the rubber outsole. The stiff outsole serves as a cage to prevent the midsole from having that mushy cushion feel. So, pretty much, its a trade-off and I think it would have been better if Puma used synthetic overlays or fused the soft upper to make it a more responsive.

Talking about a responsive shoe, Puma has the perfect set-up for high-cushioned shoes without compensating its response to push-offs. Most "cloudy" cushions suffer from a mushy feel after long runs/walks. This means that the more you push, the cushion absorbs the force and molds itself to adapt to the shape of your foot. Hence, in most cases, there would be a delay in push-offs. Puma Tsugi Netfit Batman doesn't suffer from that. While it provides a cloudy cushion, it is very responsive and easy to walk with.

Other than those, I really enjoyed this shoe. With a price tag of $105, you wouldn't go wrong in copping the PUMA TSUGI NETFIT BATMAN. It probably is my best shoe purchase for 2017. Puma and Shoe Palace perfectly used one of its top model to come up with a shoe that is fit for the Dark Knight. While Batman design of the shoe is limited, It really felt like walking in the shoes if the greatest hero in DC Universe--The Batman!

An easy 8.5/10 for me.

Paolo Ollero, 28, working law student, a comicbook enthusiast and a Batman historian, is one of the co-founder of The Dark Knight Philippines -- the premier Batman group in the country. He also contributes reviews and write-ups in Geekend Gladiator and Flipgeeks.