Puma Ultra Ultimate Review
In the 2023 version of the Ultra Ultimate, Puma has fully reengineered their lightweight ULTRAWEAVE, providing an ultra-thin upper with a lightweight construction. The newly designed upper features the application of PWRTAPE to provide support and lockdown with quick changes of direction. The stud pattern is unchanged from the previous generation and meant for use on firm or artificial grass pitches.
Touch
The newly designed ULTRAWEAVE upper provides a thin, barefoot feel with a slightly textured surface for improved grip.
The PWRTAPE provides much more structure than the previous model.
The upper is very thin, but feels somewhat stiff and plastic-y, and is not the most comfortable when putting on the cleats for the first time.
The upper did soften up after a few wears and I really enjoyed the upper texture in both dry and wet conditions.
Fit - Comfort
The previous generation Ultras fit my feet almost perfectly, but Puma has made a few changes in this model.
The heel area is a little shallow, but they are snug across the midfoot, especially with the addition of the power tape. However, the toe box is fairly wide and tall.
I went true to size with my normal mens 8.5, and I would say they fit about ¼ size long. I might prefer to go down a half size for the length, but they would definitely be too narrow along the midfoot. For most people, I recommend sticking true to size.
If you have narrow to regular width feet and are looking for a boot with more space in the toe-box, I would certainly give these a try. If you have wide feet you will probably want to try another model.
I did start getting some hotspots on my heel within about 15 minutes.
Weight
My Puma Ultra Ultimates weigh in at 7.0 oz (198g), which is heavier than the previous models.
For comparison:
My 2022 Ultra Ultimates weigh 6.4 oz.
Ultra 1.4s weigh 5.5 oz.
Interestingly, this version of the Ultra actually weighs the exact same amount as the Puma King Ultimate. It may be worth trying on both to see which upper and stud pattern you prefer.
Traction
The 2023 version of the Ultra Ultimate has the same stud pattern as the previous model. I think the soleplate is pretty comfortable and the studs provide really good traction on natural grass.
Puma markets these as an FG/AG boot, but I personally shy away from wearing the more aggressive stud patterns on artificial grass (AG). However, I know there are plenty of players who wear them on AG without issue.
Durability
The cleats feel really solid and I have no concerns about the durability. I will give an update in a few months if I notice any changes.
Pros
Thin, textured upper
The stud pattern is very good for firm ground
Pretty good lockdown
Durable
Cons
Not as light as previous generations
Stiff upper takes awhile to break in
May not be suited for wide feet
Too much volume in toe box (This may be a Pro for some)
Personally, I prefer the previous model of Ultra Ultimate as they fit my feet better overall. But if you like the more structured upper and a more roomy toe box I would definitely check these out!
