A classic twist on a modern golf shoe: Puma Avant Golf Shoe Review
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
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Pros
- Traditional style, but with sufficient comfort
- Great support, especially in the heal.
- Good quality leather which makes the shoe easy to clean.
- Waterproof
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Cons
- Leather takes some time to adjust to feet
What we say...
Testing the Puma Avant, is this the perfect shoe for golfers who want modern tech and sophistication in one neat package?
Puma have always strived to innovate and push the boundaries of their golf shoes and year after year they keep doing just that, developing many of the best golf shoes on the market. They not only have a presence on tour but have a big share in the amateur game.
The Avant is yet another addition to their illustrious lineup for 2024. Your typical brogue-style golf shoe is often spiked and less casual-looking than the Avant. With golf shoes going more toward spikeless in the modern game and being something you can wear both on and off the course, there is most definitely a place for this style of golf shoe on the market.
Pros
- Traditional style, but with sufficient comfort
- Great support, especially in the heal
- Good quality leather which makes the shoe easy to clean
- Waterproof
Cons
- Leather takes some time to adjust to feet
At this price point, the Avant is certainly a more budget-friendly option than some of its competitors. I’ve found Puma have always done a good job at offering premium golf shoes at a more friendly price for the consumer. Although this shoe still isn’t cheap, the quality of what you’re buying certainly matches up to, if not exceeds the price you pay.
When I first opened the box I loved the look of the shoe. The traditional brogue style is certainly for an acquired taste, as the shoe blends both classic and modern, often people will like one or the other. Not many manufacturers go for this style due to its niche appeal but nowadays we are seeing it much more. Last year fellow German sportswear giant, adidas, released something similar with the MC80 golf shoe which is amongst one of the best spikeless golf shoes you can buy
When I put the Avant’s on for the first time the fit was great, I found them to be really comfortable and lightweight. They do fit true to size but due to my slightly wider foot, the first time I wore them, I did find that they got a little tight across the top of my foot. As I’ve worn the shoe more and more I’ve found that this has become less of an issue but is something to be aware of if you have wider feet.
With this style of shoe, it is vital to check how the heel performs after being on the course all day. After a few rounds now, I can say with confidence that I had no issues at all. The support in the rear of the shoe was great, it hugged your foot well but not too much it became uncomfortable. This support helped me feel like I could rotate and get through the ball properly.
Another key factor I like to keep an eye out for is how easy they are to clean. Thanks to the soft grain leather on these shoes they’re a breeze to wipe down, I’ve played a few rounds in them now and they still look as good as new.
With it being rather wet underfoot for the past few weeks I can easily say I had more grip than I expected. The Avant’s handled the wet well and considering how many times I’ve been caught in the rain recently I can vouch that they’re fully waterproof as well.
Overall, the golf shoes exceeded expectations. With a combination of traditional style and modern comfort technologies, the Avant is exactly what most golfers are looking for. Style, traction, comfort, and stability! It’s hard for a shoe to tick all these boxes at once so I think that says a lot about the product itself.
Alternative options
If you’re a fan of Puma but the Avant hasn’t quite taken your fancy, there are both cheaper and more expensive options available. The Puma Ignite Elevate is a superb budget-friendly shoe and it offers a lot the Avant does including the one-year waterproof warranty. If you want a more expensive tour-proven option then the Puma Ignite Articulate is a good choice and is worn by Ryder Cup star Viktor Hovland. You can also check out our guide to the best Puma golf shoes.
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About the author
Will Shreeve-Peacock – Golf Equipment Writer
Will is an expert in golf shoes, GPS watches, rangefinders, and training aids.
He has a degree in journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and four years’ experience working in golf retail with American Golf where he was trained by a host of the big-name manufacturers.
A six-handicapper, Will has played golf for more than a decade and is a member at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincolnshire.
