Introducing The PUMA Ignite

Puma flew media from across the world and into the heart of Manhattan to debut their latest running innovation above the iconic Times Square. At the press event, the German athletic company introduced the Ignite, the first model to sport the innovative midsole foam technology Puma has developed, dubbed the IGNITE foam; an new polyurethane sole that provides responsive cushioning, maximises energy return and is stable whether in hot or cold conditions.

Nine years in the making, the wizards at the Puma lab have created a new, more flexible and lightweight PU that gives the runner that extra rebound and comfort compared to current EVA soles commonly found in performance sneakers. With the help of six-time Olympic gold medalist and longtime Puma athlete Usain Bolt, they refined this new sole technology, and with an initial roll out with this first sneaker, the IGNITE foam will eventually be incorporated in other models across the company's range of performance footwear.

The IGNITE trainer features a perforated mesh upper with overlays made from this newly engineered PU plastic that locks in the midfoot down, and combined with the heel counter, ensures that stability is maintained to maximise performance for the runner. Underneath the IGNITE midsole, ForEverFoam is placed underneath the heel of the outsole, an ultra durable compound enhance durability to make sure you'll get plenty of mileage from these sneakers.

Already being used by Usain as he warms up to begin his 2015 season in Camperdown later this weekend, the Puma IGNITE will be available worldwide in both mens and womens styles this March. It'll be very interesting to see how the sneaker will perform in our testing sessions tomorrow, but from what we've been told about the sneaker thus far, it's no doubt that Puma has stayed true to their mantra of "Forever Faster".