There is a lot of cool gear in the golf equipment world that doesn’t always fit neatly into Most Wanted Tests or Buyer’s Guides. You still want to know how it performs. In our We Tried It series, we put gear to the test and let you know if it works as advertised.
What We Tried:
The PUMA ELECTROCAT NITRO. Perhaps the reason the name is all caps is because it’s the brightest shade of orange I’ve ever seen. Never fear, it’s also available in white.
Who Tried It:
Connor. Director of Content and resident sneakerhead. PUMA golf shoes have been hit or miss for me in the past. This pair might have changed my perception.
About the ELECTROCAT NITRO
There’s one reason the ELECTROCAT NITRO caught my eye from the jump. No, it wasn’t the bodacious color palette fittingly dubbed “Fire Glow.”
It’s the massive rear end … I mean “cushion.” The stack height on this pair of shoes is huge. Some might call it “thicc.” In any case, the ELECTROCAT NITRO is designed to be a max cushion golf shoe. This trend of prioritizing comfort above all else is something more brands have started to do, even in the past few months.
The ELECTROCAT NITRO relies on a heavy dose of PUMA’s flagship NITROFOAM to provide an exquisite (yes, I mean it) walking experience.
Why should you care about NITROFOAM?
Simply put, you should care about NITROFOAM because it’s what PUMA uses on their flagship running shoes, including their wacky super shoe, the FAST-RB NITRO. If NITROFOAM is good enough for a shoe that’s borderline illegal for running competition, then NITROFOAM is plenty good for a golf shoe.
What makes NITROFOAM feel so good? It’s in the name. The foam is injected with nitrogen to provide a smooth, responsive and plush ride.
From my first steps in the ELECTROCAT NITRO, I knew it was going to be a comfortable shoe. After just two holes, I confidently decreed it to be the most comfortable PUMA golf shoe I’ve ever worn.
Now, after spending hours and hours in the shoe, I can confidently say it’s the most comfortable shoe I’ve worn this year.
That’s high praise coming from someone that’s worn well over 125 golf shoes, including more than 50 this year alone. But I mean it. The ELECTROCAT NITRO is the most comfortable golf shoe (so far) in 2024.
So, if it’s that comfortable, is it worth picking up? Maybe. It’s not so cut-and-dried.
Overshadowed
As a professional shoe tester, I can’t let the overwhelming comfort of the ELECTROCAT NITRO overshadow its few glaring weaknesses. It’s my sworn duty to give it to you straight. The spikeless traction is good in dry conditions but not in wet. And the shoe suffers in the stability department in order to accommodate the big stack of Goldilocks’ NITROFOAM and the knit upper.
There’s no real torsion support (though there is an integrated heel counter) and the stack height itself is not for those with weak ankles. Couldn’t be me! In everything but comfort, the shoe is so-so. At least passable.
Is that enough to stop me from recommending it? Nope. Seriously, it’s that comfortable.
If you prioritize comfort above all, the ELECTROCAT NITRO is worth serious consideration. I’ve worn it to the course, the range and even the mall. In each and every scenario, I find myself impressed with the fit and feel.
It really boils down to this: the ELECTROCAT NITRO isn’t designed to be an “all-around” great golf shoe. It’s meant to be a wildly comfortable golf shoe that does just enough in terms of traction and stability to survive on the golf course.
BC
5 months ago
I’ve had these shoes for about five months and they are now rockhard and my feet ache after 18 holes of carrying a bag.
There is zero cushion remaining. I’m trying to replace the insoles for short-term relief, but I would not buy these again