Puma Softride Carson 2 review

Full review

Not every Puma buyer wants to run, and the Softride Carson 2 is the brand's comfortable lifestyle option at a low price. Puma says SOFTRIDE styles combine running-inspired looks with SOFTRIDE foam for cushioned comfort you can wear all day. This pair adds a low-profile silhouette and a grippy outsole intended to keep you stable.

The Irish page lists it as a Lifestyle by Puma product with laces, regular width, a flat heel type and a rounded toe, and says the upper contains at least 30% recycled material. It does not publish weight, stack height or drop, and it does not give a running-distance rating as the running shoes do.

That tells you what it is: a casual sneaker for commuting, errands, school, travel and gentle walks rather than a performance running shoe. If you want to do mileage, choose the Deviate Pure Nitro or Flyer Lite 4. If you mainly want a comfortable trainer-style shoe for everyday outfits, this is the cheaper and more fitting option.

As with all lifestyle shoes, expect the cushioning to be softer and the support less technical than a running shoe, which is fine for walking but not ideal for long sessions on the road.