Our verdict

The best way we can describe the PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки is it's like a friend who looks small and fragile but is actually a skilled fighter. This shoe's very unassuming slender build and very minimal looks actually hide tremendous potential. We find it a pleasure to play in, and we think this is best for athletes who like to explosively sprint their way to the basket. If it wasn't for its frail outsole and upper, the Puma Hard кроссовки would've made it to our top charts.

Кроссовки ◾puma hst20 Pros

  • Excellent grip for quick movements
  • Joggers verdes Amplified de PUMA
  • Amazing in-shoe comfort
  • Dependable foot containment
  • Smooth ride
  • True-to-size fit
  • Pretty light
  • Slender appearance

Кроссовки ◾puma hst20 Cons

  • Cheap materials and poor durability
  • Dulled by dust
  • Reduced court feel
  • Lacks breathability

Audience verdict

74
Decent!

Who should buy

We believe that this basketball shoe from PUMA is ideally suited for players who:

  • are lighter and faster like point or shooting guards
  • mostly play their games indoors
  • want a sleek performance shoe that doubles as a lifestyle sneaker

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки review

Who should NOT buy

The PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки is a disaster on outdoor courts as it breaks down way too easily. If you want a lasting hoop shoe for that purpose, we recommend the Jordan Zion 2 instead.

And if you need a shoe that's more resistant to dust, the Кросівки puma р and the Женская тренировочная футболка puma proved to be better options.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки lab test

Breathability

Based on our breathability test, the PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки doesn't let the heat escape so easily. Pumping smoke through the shoe's upper, it was barely passing through. On a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the most breathable, we rated this PUMA shoe as only 2/5.

We also put the shoe against a bright light and found that it has ventilation panels on the sides. This is the most transparent part of the shoe's upper. But apparently, these are not enough to help with better aeration.

In addition, the toebox material is woven extra-tightly on this PUMA shoe.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки microscope

Looking at it through our microscope, we saw that it leaves no loops to breathe through.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки microscope upper

If you would like to see a more breathable hoop shoe from PUMA, consider the Rise Nitro.

Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 2
Average 2.5
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Outsole hardness

With a durometer reading of only 69.4 HC (16% softer than average), this is one of the softest outsoles we've seen in our lab!

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки Outsole hardness

Кроссовки ◾puma hst20.

It took us a single playtest to find out that the shoe's soft rubber and thin treads melt when contacting a harsh surface.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки outdoor

Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 69.4 HC
Average 81.8 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
59.5 HC
Outsole hardness
91.0 HC

Outsole thickness

PUMA did try to compensate for the softness with a super thick outsole. Using a caliper, we measured the rubber thickness at 5.8 mm (waaay thicker than average!).

While it helps with the shoe's overall longevity, it still doesn't help the thin treading lines last longer.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки Outsole thickness
Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 5.8 mm
Average 4.0 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
0.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.9 mm

Upper materials

In our opinion, PUMA went for some really cheap upper materials, even for a $120 shoe.

Not only do they look cheap, they are in fact extremely frail. The laces look as if they were taken out of a $20 Walmart sneaker!

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки laces

We actually think that the "quality" of materials on the Puma Hard кроссовки can be a deal-breaker that undermines all the other things that this basketball shoe does so well!

Weight

The PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки is a great pick for fast and explosive movements. At 13.1 oz (372g) per shoe, it turns out to be 0.5 oz (15g) lighter than our lab-tested basketball shoes on average.

But when on the court, it feels even lighter than that! This PUMA shoe allowed us to accelerate without being held back.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки jump

Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 13.12 oz (372g)
Average 14.18 oz (402g)
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
11.29 oz (320g)
Weight
17.46 oz (495g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

Measuring the shoe's midsole with a caliper, we got 29 mm of stack height in the heel.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки Heel stack

And while that's exactly the same as the average, the PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки feels thicker because of all the impact protection that it provides. It actually felt as if our feet were standing on a pedestal which did result in having less court feel.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки heel cushioning

Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 29.0 mm
Average 30.1 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
25.2 mm
Heel stack
38.4 mm

Forefoot stack

In the forefoot, the stack height gets naturally lower. We got a caliper reading of 20.1 mm which is even a couple of millimeters less than the average.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки Forefoot stack
Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 20.1 mm
Average 21.7 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
18.2 mm
Forefoot stack
25.2 mm

Drop

The PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки has a slightly higher than average drop of 8.9 mm. Having more abundant cushioning under the heel made us feel very safe and supported, no matter how hard our landings were.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки Drop
Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 8.9 mm
Average 8.4 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
4.4 mm
Drop
14.8 mm

Кроссовки ◾puma hst20 | Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer Bukser equals a soft material, whereas a high Bukser performer it's firm.

The PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки has a firmer type of cushioning. Our durometer shows a reading of 32 HA. This is 15% firmer than the average of our tested basketball shoes. However, the shoe doesn't feel dull at all!

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки Midsole softness

On the court, the TRC Blaze behaved exceptionally bouncy and responsive. We attribute that to the unique design of the midsole which features a stiff shank and a series of wavy hollows. Apparently, it helps to create a springboard-like effect.

It all made jumping in this PUMA shoe super easy and almost effortless.

Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 32.0 HA
Average 26.2 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
11.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
35.9 HA

Insole thickness

A padded insole amplifies the underfoot comfort of the Puma Hard кроссовки. At 4.7 mm, it is about as thick as the average.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки Insole thickness
Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 4.7 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
0.0 mm
Insole thickness
8.6 mm

Stability

Женские кроссовки sneakers puma basket heart 363073 02

This PUMA basketball shoe boasts a high level of support and stability. There is plenty of sturdiness in the shoe's sole and the upper is reinforced with rubber overlays as well.

As a result, lateral movements were all well supported in the Puma Hard кроссовки.

Кроссовки ◾puma hst20 | Torsional rigidity

Testing the shoe's torsional rigidity in our manual test, it feels very unforgiving. Attempting to twist the shoe sideways, we rated its level of stiffness as 4/5.

The stiff shank, firm cushioning, and raised sidewalls all work to create a highly stable base for various movements. Never once did we feel as if our ankles were going to roll.

Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 4
Average 4.5
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

The heel counter is just as mighty stiff as the sole. On a 1-5 scale, we gave it a rating of 4. Our heels and ankles were held firmly all throughout the game. Not a sight of heel slippage.

Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 4
Average 3.5
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

Puma Hang Thong 2 Einheiten.

In the widest part of the forefoot, we measured the shoe at 111.4 mm. This is an average width for basketball shoes but it made us feel surefooted all throughout the test.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 111.4 mm
Average 113.9 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
106.2 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
122.2 mm

Midsole width in the heel

In the widest part of the heel, the sole width reaches 90.4 mm. This is also an average width but a reliable one for sure.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 90.4 mm
Average 91.6 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
82.4 mm
Midsole width in the heel
105.1 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

The heel-to-toe transitions feel very smooth in the PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки. We believe that's because of the midsole curvatures as well as the shoe's forefoot flexibility.

We tested the latter with the help of a force gauge. It took 31.2N to bend the shoe to a 90-degree angle. This is 34% less than it takes on average.

Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 31.2N
Average 40.8N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
29.9N
Stiffness
67.2N

Grip / Traction

Even though the shoe's outsole is too frail for the outdoors, its performance is phenomenal indoors!

The multidirectional treads form a very efficient pattern for stopping on a dime and changing directions quickly. No matter where we took our next step, there were a number of tread lines facing that direction.

But like many basketball shoes, the PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки is sensitive to dust. Because of its soft and sticky rubber, the shoe's outsole picks up quite a lot of dust easily.

Size and fit

Toebox width at the widest part

Measuring the widest part of the shoe's toebox, our caliper shows 95.7 mm. This is a few millimeters narrower than average but it still fits our medium-width feet well.

But we did find it to be more of a one-to-one fit rather than a roomy one. So, players with wide feet are recommended to get at least half-a-size bigger.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 95.7 mm
Average 100.9 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
92.6 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
108.2 mm

Кроссовки ◾puma hst20

We also made sure that the Puma Hard кроссовки doesn't get too tapered by measuring the toebox width at the big-toe mark.

At 76.4 mm, it is only a millimeter narrower than average.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки Кроссовки ◾puma hst20
Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 76.4 mm
Average 76.8 mm
Compared to 30 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
71.2 mm
Кроссовки ◾puma hst20
85.1 mm

Куртки для мальчиков Puma

Discovering a semi-gusseted, or partially attached, tongue was a nice surprise. That doesn't usually happen in more affordable shoes.

We received plenty of foot containment from the PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки and that is in part thanks to the gussets.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки Куртки для мальчиков Puma
Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки Both sides (semi)

Comfort

Tongue padding

The tongue of the Puma Hard кроссовки is among the thickest we've seen! Our caliper shows 12.9 mm which is (wow!) 3.5 mm thicker than average!

That's one of the features that makes the shoe's interiors feel so extremely comfortable.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки Tongue padding
Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки 12.9 mm
Average 9.2 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Women's Puma x Maggie Stephenson Run XX Nitro
1.3 mm
Tongue padding
14.9 mm

Heel tab

There are no heel tabs on this PUMA shoe, but it's not that big of a deal. It is quite easy to get the shoe on and off.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки Heel tab
Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки None

Removable insole

If you need to use a different insole or custom orthotics with the Puma Hard кроссовки, it is not a problem. The shoe's native insole is easy to remove.

PUMA Puma Hard кроссовки Removable insole
Test results
Puma Hard кроссовки Yes