Up Close – Puma evoSPEED 1.3 Dragon, Next Level Graphic

Right after their release a few weeks back, I knew I just had to get my hands on a pair of the Puma evoSPEED 1.3 Graphic. From a design perspective, these boots have something extra special going on. We have seen plenty of deeply detailed boots released in the past, but what Puma has done with this “Enter the Dragon” is absolutely exquisite. There is an advanced level of detailing like we haven’t seen before, with the entire boot wrapped in a meticulously selected Game of Thrones style pattern.

So, we managed to get our hands on a pair from Puma. And they are everything you would expect and more in person!

For those that want a pair of this special edition release, find them at soccer.com.

And then there is that Dragon that sits right across the upper of each boot. Puma has mirrored the design, so what you get on one side you get flipped on the other. The focal area sits along the instep and strike zone, where you can see the Dragon head and large talon claws. From simple aspects like the teeth right down to those claws, the entire design looks extremely clear and graphic. His tail sweeps from the top lace back down and around across the forefoot, so it covers a lot of area.

This is the type of boot intended for players that want to stand out in the most intricate fashion. Rather than a traditional printed pattern, Puma actually use texture to illustrate key areas of the boot, like for example the heel region. In the same fashion as a Japanese tiled roof, semi circular ridges are placed right around the heel creating a highly effective design element.

The same is very true about the synthetic upper and Grip-Tex coating, where the White/Sea Pine/High Risk Red colorway is covered in a scale like texture. Without being over dramatic, it is set to provide a slightly different type of feel on the ball compared to the mainstream evoSPEED 1.3 release. The extra definition produces a little extra surface area to connect with the ball. Personally, I prefer that little extra level of texture, so these immediately get upgraded review scores!

As you’d expect, these are all about speed and that thin microfiber upper allows Puma to keep these toned to a minimum. They are not the lightest evoSPEED to ever hit the market (the original evoSPEED was 6.4oz), but they still rank among the lightest boots currently on the market. Matched with that conical stud configuration, they make an ideal option for play on FG surfaces and some AG. It will have to be the newer version turfs, as the studs are slightly longer in length compared to something like the Asics DS Light X-Fly, so keep that in consideration.

There is a tight fitting nature about the evoSPEED that really doesn’t change too much during wear. They fit pretty much true to size in length, but right across the forefoot, they are very, very snug. When it comes to width, they are going to fit a medium width best.

Where the Limited Edition CAN release had fans shrugging their shoulders at that design, Puma has completely redeemed with these and I’ve got high expectations that they sell out pretty quickly. There are enough Dragon fans out there after all, to ensure they won’t sit on shelves too long!

If you want a pair, find them listed at soccer.com (along with everything else evoDRAGON) for $189.99.