PUMA PowerCat 1.12 Review

The Good: The Puma PowerCat 1.12 is a mixture of control and power. Weighing in at 10.4 oz the boot is built to last and offers superior comfort similar to that of its competitor the CTR360 from Nike. It also features a kangaroo upper and off center lacing which are keys to a great fit. The boot features 3D power shooting technology in the strike zone. The technology is two densities of TPU which aids in responsiveness and rebound/power when striking the ball. Boot currently retails for $180 which is a steal because with this boot you get all of the tools that you might find in a premium boot that would cost you around $220.

The Bad: Depending on your position the boot might seem heavy at 10.4 oz. However, I would recommend these boots to a center mid or a defender due to its protection and comfort. In addition, during testing I noticed that the k-leather wears easily and after a short period of time the boots were no longer pearl white. So if you are a neat freak this color way may not be for you. Overall negatives are the weight and the white upper which takes/shows a beating right off the bat.

The Bottom Line: One of the most underrated boots on the market. With this release you get a hybrid boot mixed with power and control that offers supreme comfort. From the moment I put these boots on it felt like a boot I had owned and broke in for six months. This boot is one of the most underrated boots because for what you get in terms of its overall value. At $180 you get a k-leather upper, extreme comfort, technology which aids in power/control. In addition, this boot runs a little wider so it allows that midfielder or defender with fat feet an opportunity to be comfortable on the pitch.

Comfort/FIT: 9/10

Out of the box these fit like a glove. I have a short and fat foot so during testing I wore a US size 9. The PowerCat has two main features that I think are vital to the fit and comfort of a boot. The upper is made of k leather and the lacing is off center which hugs your foot much like your girl would during happy time. With the Cat I needed little to no break in time because of the upper and the shape of the boot. I wore them the first time doing an individual training session and throughout the session I never once thought about the boots which is weird because usually I need to get used to a boot. If you have a wider foot and seek a comfortable boot then I think the PowerCat would would for you and your game.

Another part of a boot that can either make or break it is the outsole. The outsole on a boot is much like that of a mattress that you would sleep on. You can sit on a bed and be comfortable but sleeping is a whole other issue, kind of like running or playing footy. Some boots offer a great upper or light weight but when you try to sprint or run in the boot the outsole can seem stiff and uncomfortable. Perfect example of this right now is the Vapor…

However, with the PowerCat the outsole flexes in just the right spots and also offers stability and a lot of comfort. Comfort is one of the most underrated aspects in a boot nowadays it seems like, and if I am buying a boot I want to be comfortable and not sacrifice weight for comfort. WHY? Because at the end of the day the boot does not make the player nor does it make you faster. If you are fast you are fast and if you are slow you are slow. It is that simple.

Performance: 8/10

The PowerCat is a mixture of control and power. The boot is marketed as a power boot and at the end of the day as a consumer you need to ask yourself what kind of boot suits your needs. Your options are classic/heritage, power, speed and the newest category that has emerged is control.

If you want power this might be the boot for you. I have always been a fan of power boots because there is just something orgasmic about hitting a shot and getting that unexplainable feeling when you hit that shot that makes you think did that really just happen. That moment of disbelief where you ask yourself was that all me or did the boots maybe help too. Everyone loves a laser and with these boots you can make that possible if you hit a decent ball/shot.

On the Cats Puma uses a PST also known as a Power Shooting Technology. It is made up of two separate regions of TPU overlays that have two different densities made for both control and power. One is slightly thicker and softer aka the (blue TPU) while the other is thinner and harder aka the (gold TPU). Furthermore, both elements combined together allows for an awesome rebound power/sweet spot feeling. When I say rebound power I am referring to the power generated between your foot speed and the ball will be increased. With this extra technology I enjoyed hitting shots and hitting long balls in these boots and many times I found it easier and believed the technology aided in my ability to spray the ball across the field. I must admit that before I tested these boots along with other power boots I am always doubtful about the possible gimmicks that many of the boot companies come up with. They promise power, curve and control but you never know until you personally test the boots out.

In the end, I found that the Puma Power Shooting Technology does add another dimension to your game if you have the tools. I noticed that the TPU overlays aided in control and gave me a little extra burst/amp when I shot the ball. The technology does in fact work and after wearing the boots for a couple of weeks I have noticed compared to other boots it adds confidence in my ability to the long ball. Maybe it is a mental thing but I did notice the TPU overlays during my tests.

Value: 8/10

In terms of value you cannot go wrong with the PowerCat 1.12. The boot offers excellent comfort, K leather upper, and fits anyone with a medium to wide foot. Not to mention, with this boot you get the power element that aids in power/control. At $180 this boot has all the tools you could ever want in a boot and after testing I can now say that I am a big fan. In addition, now that Puma has signed Fabregas I think many consumers will begin to accept Puma as an option when they get their next pair of boots. In the end, the Puma power element on the PowerCat1.12 rivals that of the Predator and also gives the CTR360 a run for its money in terms of its underrated control/comfort.

Footy Guru Rating:

Comfort/fit: 9/10

Performance: 8/10

Value: 8/10

Overall Score: 8.3

(Good) This boot gets a 4/5 star rating from FOOTY GURU

(Boots supplied for review by Puma)