REVIEW: Puma
As winter slowly creeps into the back end of the year, that means only one thing to runners – the XC season HERE!
Yes, the questionable weather, a cold snap and the beautiful scenic routes make their welcomed return for local leagues and National Championships to tackle the bogs and unforgiving hills.
It’s the perfect inclusion for winter training as well as a weekend run out to clock in the miles, volume and also, take on the chilly conditions (along with getting a bit muddy!).
With that said, the hunt to update the XC footwear is, almost, a must to make sure that all bases are covered when donning the club vest and XC traditions, that’s where Puma caught our eye.
The Puma evoSPEED Haraka XCS V3 spikes are a fantastic and quite popular running shoe to get a hold of.
Not only is it loaded with positive features, but also, for the price, it’s ideal for those on a budget with footwear at $75.
What is noticeable, is the attractive upper on the shoe, laced with breathable mesh for positive airflow to the foot, even when traversing through difficult terrain.
This is accompanied with a PU Skin Overlay (material on top of material), this is purely added to provide better protection and support for the foot, especially when it comes with the unstable sections of courses or routes – you also have the cushioning compression-moulded EVA midsole, which makes comfort of the shoe ideal, you don’t won’t something that’s going to feel strange or not right, do you?
You’ve also got the sock-like fit the minute you place the shoe on, providing a snug feel on the foot, something key when it comes to the bogs and testing puddles when running.
Coming in at the weight set slightly less than 200g, it is a bit heavy and ever so slightly chunky compared to some XC spikes, hence we recommend these for beginners or intermediate runners to get used to first before making the upgrade to lighter footwear.
Saying that, however, the abrasion-resistant outsole on the shoe works in its favour. There will be dry to rough territory which may cause other shoes to tear or struggle to support the ankle, with the Hakara V3, there is less of a chance of this taking place. It’s coupled with lugs on the outsole also, making climbs and descends simpler to complete, along with the traditional spike pin sockets for additional grip.
All in all, Puma have put together another fantastic XC spike for their third generation of the evoSPEED Haraka’s. They’ve put all the fundamental ingredients needed to tackle the winter-themed races, together, and more, to create a shoe ideal for those as mentioned, looking to get a feel for the event with a budget at mind.
The Puma evoSPEED Haraka XCS V3 Cross Country Running Spikes are available for $75 and available in men’s and ladies sizing
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