There’s a whole lot of cool gear within the golf tools world that doesn’t all the time match neatly into Most Wished Exams or Purchaser’s Guides. You continue to need to know the way it performs. In our We Tried It collection, we put gear to the take a look at and allow you to know if it really works as marketed. 

What We Tried:

The PUMA ALPHACAT NITRO spikeless golf sneakers, Puma’s newest spikeless golf shoe with a nitrogen-infused midsole. 

Who Tried It:

Connor. Director of Gentle Items Testing and resident sneakerhead. I imagine golf is healthier with a pair of cool sneakers and cozy joggers. 

PUMA ALPHACAT NITRO Golf Footwear: Tech Talokay

PUMA’s ALPHACAT golf shoe has been round for some time. However now PUMA’s upgrading their mainline ALPHACAT spikeless golf sneakers with the introduction of NITRO foam. 

We’ll take a more in-depth take a look at the advantages (if any) of this design change. You’ll additionally discover a brand new heel cup amongst different beauty adjustments. The true query stays: Do these adjustments create a greater golf shoe? 

Let’s discover out.

NITRO Foam: A Welcome Addition 

I discussed that the most important change to the ALPHACAT NITRO is the addition of PUMA’s flagship NITRO foam. Typically discovered on the model’s operating line, NITRO is an extraordinarily light-weight however steady foam. 

Its highest quality, nevertheless, is its skill to return vitality. The nitrogen-infused foam midsole is exceptionally bouncy whereas strolling but steady via the swing. Name me a fan. 

Is the ALPHACAT NITRO and its nitrogen-infused midsole essentially the most comfy PUMA golf shoe I’ve ever worn? I’d say so. This assertion should be taken with a grain of salt as a result of I can’t say I’ve worn each PUMA golf shoe. That mentioned, of the PUMA sneakers examined in 2023, the ALPHACAT NITRO supplies essentially the most comfy underfoot cushion. 

The unique PUMA ALPHACAT had nice traction, therefore the excessive marks for traction in our Finest Spikeless Golf Footwear 2023 testing. The brand new PUMA ALPHACAT NITRO makes use of a number of the identical toolings with the addition of a brand new radial traction sample close to the ball of the foot.

The ensuing traction is grippy in all instructions. I’ve no actual complaints right here. So far as spikeless traction is anxious, the PUMA ALPHACAT NITRO is a strong performer. 

Useful and Trendy Heel Cup

As somebody who spends his day knee-deep in piles of golf sneakers, I have a tendency to note the little issues that others could not. Certainly one of my largest takeaways concerning the golf shoe business as an entire is their propensity to sacrifice perform within the title of branding. 

Let me attempt to clarify. 

Some manufacturers strive too onerous to place their very own twist on the golf shoe with no regard for efficiency. Typically this reveals up in what I consult with as “storytelling”, the place a model makes an attempt to inform a “story” with its design as an alternative of designing round efficiency. 

The PUMA ALPHACAT NITRO is the antithesis of this notion. See that enormous PUMA stripe brand close to the heel? I used to be fearful that this was merely a beauty change to boost the branding and storytelling of the shoe. As a substitute, PUMA made this a totally purposeful heel counter that aids in lateral stability. 

Cool branding and nice perform? I’ll name {that a} win-win. The ALPHACAT NITRO isn’t essentially the most steady spikeless golf shoe on the market. It nonetheless lacks that inflexible midsection that I typically search for in a steady shoe. However the lateral stability offered by the heel cup is sufficient to hold your foot from sliding over the footbed. 

One factor it appears PUMA has but to determine is the shaping of the toe field space on their golf sneakers. From the highest down, the PUMA ALPHACAT NITRO has a particularly slender and pointed toe. The ensuing match would undoubtedly trigger somebody with a wider foot than mine ache and discomfort. 

The general shaping simply appears to scrunch the toes moderately than allow them to naturally unfold. 

PUMA ALPHACAT NITRO Spikeless Golf Footwear: Marked Enchancment

How does the PUMA ALPHCAT NITRO stack up in opposition to the most effective spikeless golf sneakers on the market? We received’t know till our 2024 testing. That mentioned, I’m prepared to declare the ALPHACAT NITRO to be the most effective spikeless golf shoe I’ve tried from PUMA. I’m optimistic concerning the progress that PUMA has proven within the golf house. If something, it is a good step in the appropriate path as they attempt to tackle the large boys.

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