Summary
The Puma Safety Xelerate Knit Comp Toe Shoe lets you enjoy the most important features of high-quality work footwear but doesn’t come with the severe appearance that can be expected from conventional work shoes. It looks like a regular sneaker so it can be surprising to find out that it actually comes with safety toes. The exclusive SAFETY KNIT fabric upper offers superior flexibility that effortlessly adapts to your steps while delivering maximum comfort as it hugs the foot with a sock-like feel. The fabric allows more air to pass through the shoe to maintain a high level of breathability so the foot will always feel cool and fresh no matter how humid and hot the work setting becomes. The composite toe caps work nonstop to form a protective barrier over the foot to keep it safe from being seriously injured if ever you encounter compression and impact threats in the workplace.
This shoe uses the proprietary idCELL component in the heel area to absorb the impact of continuous walking so you can avoid foot fatigue while maintaining a soft structure for increased comfort. The sole is incorporated with a special rotation point to reinforce the critical inner metatarsal zone from severe pain as it bears most of the brunt of your regular walking activities. The ergonomically shaped footbed provides nonstop cushioning as it molds to the shape of your foot while resisting long-lasting impressions so you can enjoy the ample padding for a long time without worrying about the structure being prematurely damaged. Below we’ll detail the shoe’s attributes to showcase the ones that provide the biggest benefits and the ones that can still be improved with a few tweaks.
Built with flexible fabric upper and fiberglass toe caps, the Puma Safety Xelerate Knit Comp Toe Shoe provides continuous protection against safety hazards without compromising your safety.
Performance Analysis
Comfort
The Puma Safety Xelerate Knit Comp Toe Shoe aims to deliver a comfortable experience to keep you moving naturally without being bothered by restrictive materials.
The knit textile upper moves effortlessly with my steps with a flexibility that allows me to walk more freely without being hampered by uncomfortably rigid materials digging painfully on top of my foot. This knit upper hugs the foot like a sock so walking with this shoe on won’t result in discomfort, although there is a bit of inflexibility on the top portion where the composite toe cap is positioned for supreme protection.
The composite toe caps offer nonstop protection that won’t be affected by temperature changes, enabling you to continue your activities without your toes feeling extremely cold or hot regardless of the weather conditions. The work shoe comes with a special rotation point feature that strengthens the forefoot area, which bears most of the impact of regular walking activities. This reinforcement significantly decreases friction on the area so you can more easily avoid foot fatigue even when you’ve already been on your feet for a couple of hours. The ergonomically structured footbed is made with a resilient foam material that conforms to the shape of your foot for impressive comfort that lasts the whole day while working twice as hard to maintain breathability within the shoe. This footbed doesn’t stay compressed even with long hours of wearing, so the material will be able to maintain a high level of comfortable cushioning for a long time. The EVA midsole offers impressive cushioning for a bouncy feel that can help keep you going for longer while maintaining a flexible structure that won’t hinder your efficient steps.
Weight
This shoes comes with a lightweight to a regular weight level that makes it a lot more comfortable compared to work shoes made with thick, full-grain leather. It should be noted, however, that there are still other sporty work shoes that are more lightweight than this option, mainly because the composite toe caps also add a bit of extra weight to the shoe’s overall structure. The fabric upper significantly contributes to the weight reduction as it offers breathability and protection in a lightweight profile. The midsole also maintains a lightweight structure while working hard to stop foot fatigue for lasting foot comfort.
Traction
The oil- and slip-resistant outsole works hard to maintain your stable footing while also keeping your foot cool when working in extremely warm environments with its heat-resistant feature. However, in reality, the outsole delivers only limited traction. Walking on slippery or uneven ground conditions was a bit difficult for me because the sole didn’t feel like it had a firm grip. The flexibility of the sole helped me adapt accordingly to the tricky surfaces, though, so walking became easier once I became more familiar with the shoe’s limited traction.
Fit and Sizing
This shoe is true to size, so I easily got a comfortable fit when I chose my usual shoe size. It comes with a snug fit that helped increase the feeling of stability from within as my foot was held securely in place with no space for slipping with every step.
It should be noted that this snug fit may feel uncomfortable for people who want a spacious shoe that allows the foot to move when needed so toe cramps can be prevented, especially when extreme exhaustion starts to creep in when you’ve been standing or walking for the better part of the day.
Waterproofing
The knit upper of this shoe doesn’t offer much in terms of water resistance. Air and liquids will be able to penetrate effortlessly into the shoe, making it unsuitable for use in environments exposed to extreme wetness, such as outdoors when it’s raining hard or in areas where you’ll need to wade in water or mud.
Breathability
This shoe offers maximum breathability as it’s built with an exclusive knit upper that allows generous airflow to continuously move throughout the shoe’s interior. This helps maintain proper ventilation inside the shoe, so you’ll be able to enjoy lasting coolness even during physically demanding activities in hot settings. Even the footbed helps in preserving the breathability within the shoe with its open-cell structure that quickly dissipates pent-up heat outwards before it can cause overheating. A unique lining also works hard to maintain lasting foot dryness to preserve the comfortable experience even with extended hours of shoe use.
Quality and Durability
The Puma Safety Xelerate Knit Comp Toe Shoe is constructed with the exclusive SAFETY KNIT textile upper that effortlessly adjusts to the foot’s movements with flexibility that won’t hamper your comfort and natural mobility. This knit fabric permits a generous amount of air to get into the shoe’s interior to maintain a well-ventilated atmosphere, enabling your foot to enjoy the comfortably cool setting even when the exterior conditions become much warmer throughout the day. This shoe stands out with its light grey and red color combination that blends well with the white sole for an athletic appeal that doesn’t look like your regular work shoe. The fiberglass toe caps offer maximum protection against heavy objects that can accidentally roll or drop onto the boot from an elevated position in the workplace, so you can avoid being seriously injured if ever you encounter these safety hazards. These composite toe caps maintain low-profile structures that don’t take up too much space inside the shoe to prevent a bulky feel and don’t contribute a lot to the total footwear weight, so you can enjoy the protective features’ benefits without extreme shoe heaviness. The composite toe protection is crafted to result in a bit more room in the toe box, allowing the toes to budge a bit when needed to stop foot cramps from developing out of exhaustion. The toe area is reinforced with a direct-injected material that protects this zone from abrasion to prolong the high-quality aesthetics and functionality even when the shoe is used in challenging conditions. The midsole is enhanced with Flexible Anti Penetration technology using ceramic-coated fibers that form a puncture-resistant barrier to protect the foot from being pierced if you accidentally step on sharp objects that may have been left on the floor of your work area. This shoe features a special Rotation Point System that strengthens the forefoot area, which has the highest exposure to the impact coming from every step, so that painful friction and foot fatigue can be prevented over long hours of continuous shoe-wearing.
The heel comes with a comfortably foamy feel with the idCELL element technology in place that works as a reliable shock absorber to stop foot pain from building up, especially when you’ve been on your feet for the better part of the day without a chance for rest.
The anatomically engineered footbed offers maximum cushioning to cradle your foot comfortably and to relieve pressure spots before they can develop into blisters. This footbed is made with a durable open-celled foam that doesn’t stay compressed even with extended use, so you’ll be able to take full advantage of this feature’s benefits for a long time as the material stays resilient even with frequent or heavy use. This open-cell foam also helps to keep the shoe’s interior as breathable as possible by dissipating accumulated heat and moisture before the inside turns too warm for comfort, especially in hot or humid areas. Your toes won’t be affected negatively by sudden temperature changes in the environment, thanks to the non-metallic fiberglass toe caps that don’t conduct cold or heat the way protective steel toes do. This shoe offers a secondary level of protection against electrical safety hazards in case you encounter live currents in dry conditions. The heat and abrasion-resistant outsole makes the shoe safe for use on hot surfaces such as pavements and offers lasting durability to withstand tough work settings.
However, the outsole offers only a limited amount of traction, so this work shoe may not be able to provide superior stability and safety when you’re walking on uneven or slippery surfaces.
Other Versions
The Puma Safety Xelerate Knit Comp Toe Shoe is available in a light grey and red color combination that works wonderfully with the white sole to deliver a sporty vibe. It doesn’t come in other versions.
The Challengers
Caterpillar Men’s Streamline Comp Toe
The Caterpillar Men’s Streamline Comp Toe Work Shoe doesn’t look like your usual work shoe but still has the toughness to keep up with demanding work settings. The robustly sporty design can be enjoyed on and off the job site as it pairs well with different workwear and casual attire choices without looking out of place. The composite toe caps help keep the foot safe from crushing injuries in case you encounter heavy objects that may accidentally drop onto the shoe from a high location. The shoe’s construction offers remarkable flexibility to keep you moving as fluidly as possible since there aren’t rigid materials underfoot to get in the way of your quick movements. The PU foam footbed cushions the foot for a comfortable experience that will last for hours even as it works hard to ease friction on pressure-sensitive spots on the foot so blisters can be stopped from forming. The nylon mesh lining and sock liner work together to maintain continuous breathability inside the shoe and dissipate heat before it can build up and overheat the shoe’s interior.
Skechers Work Bulklin – Lyndale Composite
The Skechers Work Bulklin – Lyndale Composite Toe Shoe is another great alternative with a sporty silhouette that doesn’t skimp on high-performance features. The composite safety toes maintain a protective barrier against impact and compression threats that you may be exposed to in the workplace. The memory foam insole molds to the contours of the foot to give you a customized level of comfort that also works to relieve pressure on specific portions of the foot so that blisters can be avoided. The padded tongue and collar offer welcome cushioning to protect the foot from painful friction and help maintain a snug fit for increased stability on various surfaces. This shoe comes with a relaxed that gives the foot and toes the necessary room to shift in place to stop cramps from fully developing over the course of an exhausting day. The midsole is designed to absorb most of the force coming from the repetitive movements of your steps for hours to protect the calf and foot muscles from foot fatigue. The upper is made with synthetic and mesh materials that permit more air to flow in to maintain proper ventilation that will help preserve a cool and fresh foot feeling for longer.
Timberland PRO Reaxion Work Shoe
The Timberland PRO Reaxion Work Shoe looks like a stylish sports sneaker but comes with features that will rival the top work shoe choices. The exclusive Aerocore Energy System uses lightweight PU foam to deliver superior cushioning while providing a high energy return to help you walk and stand for longer without suffering from extreme discomfort. The composite toe caps offer nonstop foot protection against compression and impact dangers that can cause serious injuries if they suddenly drop on shoes that don’t have safety features. These toe caps are built with CarbonShield technology for durability that you can rely on for long-term use while maintaining low-profile structures that don’t add a lot to the total shoe weight. The thick all-weather outsole will help stabilize your steps over various floor and ground conditions so you can move as confidently as possible without compromising your safety. This shoe is enhanced with an antimicrobial treatment to stop odor-causing bacteria from disrupting the comfort and freshness of your shoe-wearing experience.
Wolverine Men’s Jetstream CarbonMAX
The Wolverine Men’s Jetstream CarbonMAX Work Shoe is a remarkable pick if you’re on the lookout for a lightweight work shoe that won’t sacrifice functionality. It’s built with a mesh and TPU upper that let in a generous amount of air to keep the interior continuously ventilated so that built-up heat and moisture can be dispersed quickly before the shoe’s interior becomes overheated. The memory foam footbed follows the curves of your foot so you can enjoy a personalized level of comfort for hours, while pressure spots are relieved to stop blister formation. The EVA and rubber blended midsole delivers a high-energy return to keep you moving as fluidly as possible while preventing foot pain from interrupting your focus on the tasks at hand. The slip-resistant rubber outsole comes with deep lugs that strongly grip the ground to maintain your stability over different indoor and outdoor surfaces so you can continue to walk confidently without risking your safety.
Dunlop Maine Steel Toe Work Shoe
The Dunlop Maine Steel Toe Work Shoe offers a sleek sneaker silhouette that can easily be paired with workwear as well as more casual attire. The mesh-style upper forms a lightweight barrier against the elements and doesn’t add a lot to the total weight, so the shoe easily maintains its lightweight profile. The steel toes offer continuous protection for your foot against impact and compression threats that can accidentally drop or roll on the boot while you’re busy with tasks in your workplace. The heel is designed to absorb the impact coming from continuous walking or standing all day long to protect your foot and calf muscles from foot fatigue. The outsole is resistant to slipping so you can walk around more confidently even on challenging ground conditions without worrying too much about slipping accidents.
Conclusion & Verdict
The Puma Safety Xelerate Knit Comp Toe Shoe is a good choice for those on the lookout for good comp toe work shoes with a striking and sporty look. It’s a comfy shoe that has a foamy feel, especially on the heel area where the shock-absorbing idCELL feature is located. The knit fabric upper allows generous airflow to enter the shoe for maximum breathability but doesn’t offer much in terms of water resistance, making this shoe unsuitable for use in extremely wet settings and in inclement weather.
