PUMA Ignite Elevate Golf Shoes Review: The Budget King of Spikeless Golf

Overall Score: 8.4/10 | Price: $129.99 MSRP ($50-70 street) | Category: Spikeless Golf Shoes | ASIN: B0D92XZ85P

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The Bottom Line

The PUMA Ignite Elevate has become one of the best-selling spikeless golf shoes in the game — and for good reason. With Ignite foam cushioning that reviewers consistently describe as "walking on clouds," a stylish sneaker-like design, and a street price that regularly dips below $60, it offers arguably the best value proposition in golf footwear today. It's not perfect — traction in wet conditions and long-term durability are legitimate concerns — but for the money, nothing else comes close.

Across 620+ reviews from Amazon, Reddit, GolfWRX, Golf Monthly, GolfMagic, and retail sites, the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive: 80% positive, 12% neutral, 8% negative.

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Score Breakdown

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What People Love

Comfort is King (9.2/10)

This is where the Ignite Elevate truly earns its reputation. The IGNITE foam midsole has become something of a legend in golf circles, and the praise is nearly universal.

On Amazon, 55 out of 55 reviewers who mentioned comfort rated it positively — a 100% positive sentiment rate. That's almost unheard of for any product category.

"Like walking on clouds. Right out of box these were very comfortable. I exchanged a more expensive pair of Puma's for these." — Amazon reviewer

"I tried some of their shoes on after having never glanced twice at them for like 20 years…c o m f y as fuck. Like, more so than my Footjoys." — Reddit u/anonymous_puma_fan

"At 72 years old, comfort is everything. The Ignite foam makes a noticeable difference when walking 18 holes. My knees and lower back feel better after a round in these compared to my old spiked shoes." — Amazon reviewer

GolfMagic's Andy Roberts called them "the comfiest and most cushioned pair of spikeless shoes you will find all season" — their top spikeless shoe of 2023.

One Amazon buyer was so impressed they bought two pairs in different colors after the first round, and another reported recommending them to all their golf partners, who then ditched their FootJoys for Ignite Elevates.

Incredible Value (9.5/10)

The MSRP is $129.99, which is already competitive. But the Ignite Elevate regularly sells for $50-70 on Amazon and can be found as low as $35 at PUMA outlet stores. At these prices, it's essentially in a category of one.

"At the sale price of $52, these are unbeatable. Are they as good as my old $180 FootJoys? No. But at 1/3 the price they're 80% as good. No brainer purchase." — Amazon reviewer (14 helpful votes)

"Found these at my local Puma outlet for $35. At that price, it's criminal not to buy them." — Reddit user (25 upvotes)

Amazon data shows 18 out of 19 reviewers who mentioned value rated it positively (95%).

Sneaker-Like Style (8.8/10)

The Ignite Elevate doesn't look like a traditional golf shoe, and that's a feature, not a bug. 16 out of 16 Amazon reviewers who mentioned style were positive.

"I get more compliments on these shoes than any other piece of golf equipment I own. The white/black colorway is clean and modern. They look just as good with jeans at the bar after the round." — Amazon reviewer

Golf Monthly noted: "They don't scream 'golf shoe' like a classic FootJoy Premiere Series... they look at home with a pair of joggers on as they do with a standard pair of golf trousers."

National Club Golfer echoed this: "I've been looking for a pair of shoes I can play golf in and then go to the pub in, and I think I may have found them."

Available in multiple colorways including all-black, white/black/silver, white/navy, gray/gum, and seasonal colors.

Lightweight for Walking (9.0/10)

Walkers particularly love this shoe. The lightweight construction combined with the cushioned midsole makes it one of the best options for golfers who prefer to walk rather than ride.

"I walk 4-5 rounds a week and the Ignite Elevate is the only shoe that doesn't leave my feet screaming by hole 14." — Reddit user (22 upvotes)

Golf Digest highlighted the integrated shank plate at the midfoot, noting it "creates more stability" without adding weight.

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What People Hate

Wet Weather Traction (6.8/10)

If there's a consistent criticism of the Ignite Elevate, this is it. The concentric traction pattern works well on dry turf but struggles when conditions get damp.

"Played an early morning round with heavy dew and slipped twice on hilly lies. Never had that issue with spiked shoes." — PGA Tour Superstore reviewer

"These shoes are fantastic on a dry summer day. But I played in morning dew and my feet were sliding around on hilly lies. The traction pattern just doesn't bite in wet grass." — Amazon reviewer (12 helpful votes)

Golf Monthly's Dan Parker specifically flagged this: "While in dry conditions it's an excellent, low-profile platform offering plenty of grip, I was less confident about it in wet conditions... especially when compared to the spikeless outsoles on shoes like the Payntr X 003 F, adidas Codechaos 22, FootJoy Pro SL, or Under Armour HOVR Tour SL."

However, some defenders push back: "People complaining about traction are probably playing in monsoon conditions or swinging 120mph. For the average golfer playing in normal conditions, the traction is perfectly adequate." — Reddit user

Durability Concerns (7.0/10)

The second most common complaint. Several reviewers report the outsole wearing smooth after 40-50 rounds and the upper separating from the sole.

"Love the comfort so much I keep buying them, but they last about 40-50 rounds before the outsole is worn smooth and the upper starts separating. For a $50 shoe that's acceptable. For $130 MSRP? Not great." — Reddit user (16 upvotes)

"Seams started coming apart after about a year of usage. Specifically on the front of the flap that has the Puma logo on it." — Reddit u/opiate82

"The glue on the side panels started coming apart after about 15 rounds. The upper is separating from the sole near the toe on both shoes." — Amazon reviewer (11 helpful votes)

The counterargument: at $50-60 street price, many buyers simply view them as a consumable and repurchase. Several reviewers noted they're on their 2nd or 3rd pair.

Narrow Fit (7.8/10)

The Ignite Elevate runs notably narrow, which is great for narrow-footed golfers but problematic for anyone with wider feet. Even the wide version gets complaints.

"If you have wide feet, try these on in-store first. I'm a 10.5 EE and even the wide version pinched my pinky toes." — Reddit user

MyGolfSpy's review of the wide version confirmed this: "After pulling these on, I felt that all-too-familiar pinching of my pinky toes."

GolfWRX users consistently note: "Pumas have not fit me great over the years for two reasons. 1, they run narrow. 2, the toe box is small."

Amazon data shows 5 out of 30 fit-related reviews were negative (17%), primarily citing narrow width. Sizing inconsistency is also noted, with some finding them half a size small and others saying they run large.

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Common Complaints (Summary)

Wet traction is mediocre — the #1 complaint across all sources

Durability is below average — outsole wears, glue/seams can fail within a year

Runs narrow — wide-footed golfers need to try on in-store first

Sizing inconsistency — some say true to size, others say half-size small or large

Off-course traction — the outsole lugs can be slippery on smooth surfaces like tile or concrete

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Comparison to Competitors

The FootJoy Pro SL is the obvious upgrade for those willing to spend more — better traction, better durability, but significantly more expensive. The Ecco Biom is the premium pick that will last years. Within PUMA's own line, the Alphacat offers better traction but less comfort, while the spiked Ignite Articulate is the choice for wet-weather players.

As one GolfWRX reviewer put it: "Comfort: Puma > Ecco > adidas. Traction: adidas > Ecco > Puma. Durability: Ecco > adidas > Puma. For the money, Puma wins if comfort is your priority."

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Who It's Best For

Budget-conscious golfers who want great comfort without spending $150+

Walkers who prioritize cushioning over traction

Golfers who play primarily in dry conditions (spring/summer/fall)

Style-conscious players who want a shoe that transitions from course to casual

Narrow-footed golfers — the fit is actually a positive for them

Beginners who want a quality first golf shoe without the investment

Seniors who need maximum comfort and cushioning

Who Should Avoid It

Wide-footed golfers (unless you try them on first; even the "wide" runs narrow)

Golfers who play in wet/rainy conditions regularly — get spiked shoes or the FootJoy Pro SL

Players who need maximum traction for aggressive swings

Golfers wanting a 2+ year shoe — durability doesn't match premium brands

Competitive/tournament players who can't risk slipping on hilly lies

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Price Context

MSRP: $129.99

Typical Amazon price: $50-75

PUMA Outlet: $35-50

Dick's/Golf Galaxy: $60-80

Sale events: Can drop below $40

At the $50-70 range where most people buy them, the Ignite Elevate offers the best value-to-performance ratio in golf footwear. Even at full MSRP ($129.99), they're competitive. Below $60, they're a no-brainer for any golfer who prioritizes comfort.

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Key Technologies

IGNITE Foam Midsole: PUMA's proprietary foam delivering cushioning, energy return, and step-in comfort

EXOShell Upper: Engineered mesh with fused TPU film for support and waterproofing

PWRCAGE/PWRSADDLE: Lightweight TPU saddle providing lateral stability through the swing

Concentric Traction: Circular outsole pattern providing multi-directional grip

Floatplate Technology (Elevate X/2): Integrated midfoot shank for torsional rigidity

1-Year Waterproof Warranty: PUMA backs the waterproofing with a full year guarantee

Ignite Versatile Last: Anatomical shape with ample forefoot volume

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The Lineup: Ignite Elevate Family

Ignite Elevate (Original): The budget best-seller reviewed here

Ignite Elevate Wide: Same shoe in wider fit (still narrow by industry standards)

Ignite Elevate Disc: BOA-style disc closure system

Ignite Elevate X (2025): Updated version with Floatplate technology and 100+ angular lugs

Ignite Elevate 2 Tour (2025): Spiked version for maximum traction

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Final Verdict

The PUMA Ignite Elevate is the quintessential "best budget golf shoe" — a title it has earned through genuinely excellent comfort, modern styling, and a price point that makes it accessible to everyone. It's not trying to be the best golf shoe ever made; it's trying to be the best golf shoe most people can afford, and it succeeds brilliantly at that mission.

The comfort is legitimate. The value is undeniable. The wet traction and durability are real compromises. Know what you're buying: a supremely comfortable, great-looking shoe that performs well 80% of the time and may need replacing after a season of heavy use.

For the casual golfer who plays 20-40 rounds a year in mostly dry conditions, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better shoe at any price. For the serious player who plays year-round in all conditions, this is a great second shoe for summer days — but keep your spiked shoes for the dewy mornings and rainy rounds.

Rating: 8.4/10 — Highly recommended as a budget pick. Best spikeless value in golf.