Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Quality, durability, comfort . |
| Disadvantages: |
Nothiing, but try to get a lower price online . |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
I should stress before starting this review that I am not, by any stretch of the imagination, a bowler, so what follows is written very much from the point of view of a batsman/wicket keeper.
BASIC INFORMATION
The Puma Signature Full Spike is a lace up cricket shoe, and, as the name suggests, is spiked both at the toe and heel end of the shoe.
It is predominantly white, with a red, black & grey trim and retails at between £40 and £60 (as usual, you'll pick up some better deals online if you search it out).
The heel has 4 spikes, the toe 6, but it is possible to fit fakes to keep just the toe half spiked or to fit pimple spikes, but there are plenty of
shoes out there that offer this as a basic anyway, and it would make sense that, were you looking to buy a 'full spike' shoe, you'd be looking to keep them all in!
I purchased in a size 10, but it appears that all sizes are available, including those for children.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The shoe is soft, full grain leather, with the following features:
- iCELL in the heel
- idCELL in the forefoot
- ArchTec support
- Removable sockliner (I have always kept this in as after taking out the shoe didn't seem as 'snug')
- Internal torsion stability bar
INITIAL FEEL
When putting this shoe on for the first time, it becomes obvious that the product is of high quality. First wears in practises outdoors resulted in a very comfortable 'breaking-in' period and no blisters or stubbing. The support provided to my heel was particularly pleasing as I do a lot of jogging outside of cricket - it seems to work well.
THE FIRST SIX WEEKS
After playing in a variety of conditions, the shoe provided excellent grip on wet surfaces, and I have to admit I did take the spikes off and try them indoors on an artificial surface which worked just fine, although probably isn't recommended by Puma themselves!
I was particularly impressed by the level of comfort, and both lateral and forward/back movement was easy; the best compliment to pay the shoe is that I didn't 'feel' it on. I've bought cheaper shoes in the past and these can sometimes be a little unwieldy.
Because the initial period was so pleasing, I took more care of the boots than usual and made sure the spikes were thoroughly clear of muck after every wear.
A YEAR IN
These Puma shoes are of a very high quality and I would hope they will last me for many years to come. I have looked after them, but the leather still appears to be in excellent shape and has become like a second skin to the feet. I've replaced a couple of spikes, which were worn down by coming into contact with concrete (walking from pavilions etc.) but no more than normal.
I have had no problems at all with these shoes, and if you can find them for less than £50, I'd thoroughly recommend as an absolute bargain for a hard weraing, comfortable cricket shoe.
