The Puma King 20 is built for players who want the ball to arrive softened, not sharpened.
Within Puma’s range, the Ultra is urgency, the Future is freedom and the King is composure. It is the heritage silo: a dampened touch, a cosy fit and a synthetic upper doing its best impression of leather.
See where Puma sits against everyone else in our most popular football boots ranking, or compare it with its siblings on our Puma football boots page.
My quick verdict
The King 20 is the boot for a dampened touch and a cosy, relaxed fit. It does that through a padded, soft TOTALTOUCH+ upper, one of the better synthetic interpretations of leather I have played in, complemented by OrthoLite CustomFit memory foam around the heel.
Rain or shine, natural pitch or artificial, I have trained and played in them. What I find is a boot that is buttery soft and comfortable, easily a better choice for wide-footed players than most of the modern silos, and one that stays predictable in wet conditions. It certainly is not for everyone. Puma has chosen its lane with the King 20, and I think that focus is the boot’s biggest strength.
TOTALTOUCH+ is the reason. It replaces K-BETTER and feels genuinely soft straight out of the box, with more pliability building in within the first few minutes. It does not fully replicate the sensation of natural leather, and it filters out some ball feedback, but comfort and touch are clearly the priorities here, and it delivers both.
The soleplate is a no-nonsense, neutral platform rather than anything sharp or responsive, and I remain a little sceptical of the FG/AG label given the rounded triangular stud layout. Heel lockdown is genuinely good thanks to the OrthoLite CustomFit padding, though I would still prefer a traditional U-throat and floating tongue over the integrated knitted one for extra adjustability.
It isn’t a speed boot, and it isn’t the sharpest touch on the market. It is the boot I would choose for shielding the ball, building from the back and staying comfortable for the full ninety.
Check the King 20 at Puma
Genuine OrthoLite CustomFit and the best execution of TOTALTOUCH+, the build this review is based on.
Check the Ultimate at Puma ↗
The King’s comfort and fit for less, with slightly less texture and a microfibre heel.
Check the Pro at Puma ↗
Only worth it discounted, given the slick heel’s effect on lockdown.
Check the Match at Puma ↗Puma King 20: pros and cons
Pros
- TOTALTOUCH+ feels genuinely soft from the first wear, with almost no break-in needed.
- Wide toe box and roomy midfoot make it one of the more accommodating premium boots for wide feet.
- Stays predictable in wet conditions, holding its shape and cushioned character.
Cons
- Heavy padding noticeably mutes feedback from the ball.
- Integrated knitted tongue gives less adjustability than a traditional U-throat lacing system.
- The FG/AG rating is questionable given the rounded triangular stud layout.
FootballBoots.co.uk is an independent, unaffiliated review site, and all opinions in this review are our own. This page contains affiliate links, which may earn us a commission if you choose to purchase, but this does not influence our reviews. This review is by Ian Ebbs, founder of FootballBoots.co.uk, host of the site’s YouTube channel and author of the Boot Secrets guide.
| Football identity | Composure and comfort: a dampened touch and a protective, cosy fit |
|---|---|
| Best for | Deep-lying midfielders, ball-playing centre-backs and target forwards who value cushioning and security over an ultra-thin connection with the ball |
| Fit | Wide-fitting, with a roomy toe box and midfoot. Officially regular width, but genuinely accommodating for wide feet |
| Sizing | Runs short. Go half a size up |
| Surface | Officially rated FG/AG, best on natural grass. Sceptical of the AG rating given the stud layout |
| Range | Ultimate, Pro and Match |
| Worn by | Xavi Simons, following the line of Cruyff, Maradona and Eusebio in the King’s long history |
| Where it sits | Puma’s heritage silo, alongside the Ultra and the Future |
Football identity: what the King 20 is for
Within Puma’s range, the Ultra is urgency, the Future is freedom and the King is composure. It is the boot for players who value cushioning, comfort and security above an ultra-thin connection with the ball. It is less about any particular position and more about wanting the boot to soften each contact and stay comfortable throughout the match.
Attempts have been made to bring the King in line with modern taste over recent years, through the King Platinum era and the early synthetic King models, with results that were below average. Puma has now changed both the shape and the composition of the King, and the result is the most convincing synthetic King yet.
Puma King 20: buy it or not
- You want a soft, padded touch over a barefoot connection
- You have wide or flat feet and want a genuinely accommodating fit
- Your game is composed possession, distribution and shielding the ball
- You play regularly in wet conditions and want predictable performance
- You want a boot that feels comfortable across a full ninety minutes
- You want the sharpest, most direct touch on the ball
- You have narrow feet and want a close, wrapped fit
- You prioritise lightness and explosive responsiveness
- You want a traditional K-leather sensation, not a synthetic one
- You play mainly on artificial grass
Who the King 20 is for
The King 20 suits a composed, possession-minded player who values cushioning, comfort and security above an ultra-thin connection with the ball.
A dampened first touch and a predictable passing surface when receiving under pressure and controlling the tempo of a match.
The same comfort during build-up and physical duels, with the padded upper taking the sting out of firm passes.
The substantial upper helps when shielding possession, controlling direct passes and bringing teammates into the game.
A relaxed, accommodating shape makes the King 20 particularly attractive for wider feet, with the OrthoLite heel padding creating a more personalised hold.
Players prioritising minimum weight, explosive responsiveness or the sharpest possible touch may prefer the Ultra Nitro 7 or another thinner speed boot. Players with narrow feet, or those who demand an aggressively wrapped, highly responsive fit, should try it carefully before committing. The King 20 is for someone willing to trade some feedback and immediacy for cushioning, forgiveness and lasting comfort.
What it feels like on the pitch
Receiving firm passes under pressure
The thick TOTALTOUCH+ padding takes some of the sting out of firmly played passes, helping cushion the ball when receiving between opponents or with your back to goal. The sensation is dampened rather than highly detailed, favouring a calm first touch over maximum feedback.
Shielding and retaining possession
The cosy fit and substantial upper work particularly well protecting the ball through contact. The padding provides an extra buffer around the foot, while the stable feel lets you plant, turn and move possession away from pressure with confidence.
Measured passing and controlled build-up
The consistent upper gives a predictable contact surface for short combinations, switches of play and passes through midfield. It suits players who value smooth, controlled distribution more than those wanting an especially crisp or barefoot striking sensation.
Wet or physically demanding matches
The King 20 stays impressively predictable in wet conditions, with the synthetic upper retaining its shape and cushioned character. That dependable feel, combined with the generous heel and upper padding, also makes it a comfortable choice across a full 90 minutes when protection and consistency matter more than outright lightness.
Fit and feel
| Length | Runs short. Go half a size up. |
|---|---|
| Width | Wide-fitting. A wider toe box, more height on the forefoot and more room through the midfoot than previous King generations. |
| Best foot shape | Wide or flat feet, who fill the extra volume easily. |
| Narrow feet | Consider the extra lace hole and a pair of grip socks if trying the King 20; the fit will feel roomy without them. |
| Break-in | Almost none needed. The upper is soft and pliable straight out of the box and moulds to the foot from the first few minutes. |
| Heel lockdown | Genuinely impressive, thanks to the OrthoLite CustomFit padding, which has a memory-foam quality that settles around the heel shape. |
| Lacing | Integrated knitted tongue adapts well to wide feet, but a traditional U-throat with a floating tongue would allow more adjustability for those who find it roomy. |
Puma does a good job complementing the comfortable upper with the shape of the King 20. The boot has a wider toe box and more height on the forefoot, and even the midfoot has more space than previous King generations. That is good news for wide-feet players, who will not have a hard time filling the volume of the boot. Narrow-footed players should take advantage of the extra lace hole, and perhaps a pair of grip socks, if trying the King 20. Length-wise, the boot runs small, so go up half a size.
The give in the upper that helps comfort also has an effect on lockdown, particularly for players who already find it a touch roomy. The integrated knitted tongue adapts nicely to wide feet, but a traditional U-throat with a floating tongue would give more adjustability to secure the foot in. Heel lockdown and comfort, by contrast, are genuinely impressive: the OrthoLite CustomFit pinch is firm enough to hold the heel without feeling tight, settling around the heel shape and working well with the softness of TOTALTOUCH+.
The technology, translated
Puma’s new synthetic leather replaces K-BETTER, and it feels beautifully soft straight out of the box, with more pliability building in during the first few minutes of wear. A healthy layer of foam lining behind the material adds to the overall comfort. It is not on Predator or Phantom levels of grip, but there is enough tack on the surface to give a touch more control on the ball.
- Receiving a firm pass
- Shielding the ball under contact
- Playing in wet conditions
- Wearing them for the first time, with almost no break-in
A memory-foam quality that settles around the individual heel shape, giving a firm-but-comfortable pinch. It works well with the softness of TOTALTOUCH+ to make the King 20 feel as comfortable as possible, and is the clearest upgrade over previous King generations.
- Wearing the boot for the first time
- Sprinting or making sharp changes of direction
- Playing a full ninety minutes
- Comparing it against the Pro’s microfibre heel
A no-nonsense, neutral soleplate that sits low and close to the ground, with functional midfoot rigidity and a bit of flex and snap in the forefoot. The semi-conical stud layout gives a good balance between traction and ease of rotation.
- Turning and pivoting under control
- Playing on firm, drier natural grass
- Building from the back with time on the ball
- Wearing grip socks with the Nanogrip-textured insole
My relationship with the King
I have followed the King through its wobblier synthetic years, the King Platinum era included, and the 20 is the first version where Puma’s synthetic leather idea genuinely convinces me. TOTALTOUCH+ is a real step forward from K-BETTER, and it is a huge upgrade coming from the King 2023 and King 2024.
What has not changed is what the King asks of you. It has never tried to be a boot for everyone, and the 20 continues that: a wide fit, a padded, dampened touch, and a soleplate that does its job without trying to impress. I remain sceptical of the FG/AG rating, and I would still prefer a proper U-throat lacing system over the integrated tongue. But for what it sets out to do, comfort, protection and composure, it is the most complete King I have played in.
Weaknesses and tradeoffs
King 20 vs other control and comfort boots
|
King 20
|
Tiempo Maestro
|
Copa Pure 4
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Job on the pitch | Composure through cushioning: a dampened, protected touch | Refined softness with a clearer sense of the ball | Natural touch with modern lockdown |
| Upper | TOTALTOUCH+ synthetic leather, heavily padded | TechLeather, naturally pliable | Fusionskin leather forefoot with a structured mesh midfoot |
| Fit width | Wide, relaxed, accommodating | Wide, generous toe box | Adjustable, closer midfoot wrap |
| Feedback | Most muted of the three | Clearer sense of the ball | More definition, especially changing direction |
| Choose it for | Uninterrupted padding, wet-weather consistency, laid-back comfort | Comparable comfort with a cleaner, more precise connection | A more natural forefoot touch and better balance of softness and response |
King 20 vs Nike Tiempo Maestro
Both boots give a soft, consistent feel from heel to toe, but that softness comes from different places. The Maestro’s TechLeather feels naturally pliable and keeps a clearer sense of the ball, whereas the King relies more heavily on cushioning to create its buttery feel. That makes the King more protective and forgiving, but also noticeably more muted. Choose the King 20 for deeper cushioning, a relaxed fit and greater accommodation for wider feet. Choose the Tiempo Maestro for comparable comfort with a cleaner, more precise connection to the ball. Read the full Tiempo Maestro review.
King 20 vs adidas Copa Pure 4
The Copa Pure 4 combines a soft Fusionskin leather forefoot with a structured mesh midfoot, giving it stronger lockdown and a more responsive sensation than the King. That material transition means the Copa doesn’t feel quite as uniform across the entire foot, but it gives more definition when controlling, passing and changing direction. Choose the King 20 for uninterrupted padding, wet-weather consistency and laid-back comfort. Choose the Copa Pure 4 for a more natural forefoot touch, a closer midfoot wrap and a better overall balance between softness and responsiveness. See our Copa Pure 4 review.
Overall, the King 20 is the most cushioned and forgiving of the three, the Tiempo Maestro offers the most refined softness, and the Copa Pure 4 delivers the strongest combination of traditional touch and modern lockdown.
Where the other two take you
Ultimate, Pro or Match: which King 20 should you buy?
The full experience and the version this review is based on. Genuine OrthoLite CustomFit heel memory foam and the best execution of the TOTALTOUCH+ upper.
For almost half the price of the Ultimate, the Pro maintains the core identity of the top tier: a slightly more plasticky, less leather-like surface with less microtexturing, but a synthetic upper that is still as pliable as TOTALTOUCH+, keeping comfort front and centre. It has more weight due to a different soleplate plastic, and a microfibre heel in place of OrthoLite CustomFit, which still holds the heel down well. Go up half a size, or a full size for very wide feet.
Above-average comfort and pliability for this level, with the same tooling as the Pro. The one real problem is a slick synthetic leather heel that noticeably affects lockdown; the Pro’s microfibre heel padding still holds the foot far better. Unless the Match is genuinely on sale, the Pro is the better buy.
Genuine OrthoLite CustomFit and the best execution of TOTALTOUCH+, the build this review is based on.
Check the Ultimate at Puma ↗The King’s comfort and fit for less, with slightly less texture and a microfibre heel.
Check the Pro at Puma ↗Only worth it discounted, given the slick heel’s effect on lockdown.
Check the Match at Puma ↗Puma King 20 questions answered
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Puma King 20 Ultimate made from leather? | No. It uses a synthetic and textile TOTALTOUCH+ upper designed to recreate a soft, leather-like sensation. It is a convincing interpretation, though much of that softness comes from generous cushioning rather than the natural pliability of leather. |
| Is the King 20 suitable for wide feet? | Yes. Despite officially being described as regular width, its relaxed shaping and forgiving upper make it one of the more accommodating premium boots for wider and flatter feet. |
| Does the King 20 perform well in wet conditions? | Yes. The synthetic upper retains its shape and cushioned feel well in the rain, while the laser-cut grip zones provide a modest amount of assistance. It stays more predictable than traditional untreated leather when wet. |
| Can the King 20 be worn on artificial grass? | The standard outsole is officially rated FG/AG and can be used on firm natural grass and suitable artificial pitches. Players who spend all their time on shorter or particularly firm synthetic surfaces may still prefer a dedicated AG soleplate. |
| Is the King 20 a lightweight boot? | It is not intended to feel like a speed boot. Although the outsole remains reasonably agile, the heavily padded upper gives the overall boot a more substantial and protected sensation. |
| How does it compare with the Tiempo Maestro and Copa Pure 4? | The King 20 is the most padded and forgiving of the three. The Tiempo Maestro combines softness with clearer ball feedback, while the Copa Pure 4 gives stronger midfoot lockdown and a more responsive fit. |
| Who should buy the Puma King 20 Ultimate? | Choose it if you want exceptional comfort, a wide-foot-friendly shape and a protected, dampened touch. Look elsewhere if you prefer close compression, minimal padding or the sharpest possible connection with the ball. |
Final verdict
Puma King 20: FootballBoots Verdict
Buy it if
- You want a soft, padded touch over a barefoot connection
- You have wide or flat feet
- Your game is composed possession and shielding the ball
- You play regularly in wet conditions
- You want all-match comfort more than outright lightness
Avoid it if
- You want the sharpest, most direct touch
- You have narrow feet
- You prioritise lightness and explosiveness
- You want a true K-leather sensation
- You play mainly on artificial grass
Read the full final verdict
What is it trying to be? A heritage boot that trades outright feedback for cushioning, comfort and a wide, forgiving fit.
Does it succeed? Yes. TOTALTOUCH+ and OrthoLite CustomFit are genuine steps forward from the King’s recent synthetic generations, and the boot delivers exactly the comfort and protection it promises.
Who benefits most? Deep-lying midfielders, ball-playing centre-backs and target forwards who value comfort and security over feedback, especially with wide or flat feet.
Who should avoid it? Players who want the sharpest possible touch, narrow feet, and anyone buying for lightness or explosiveness.
Where does it sit in the silo’s history? After the disappointing King Platinum 21 and a run of stiffer, narrower synthetic Kings, the 20 is the version that finally gets the balance right between synthetic practicality and the comfort the King has always stood for.
The story of the Puma King
Born in 1968, the Puma King has been laced up by several legends of the game, beginning with Eusebio, Pele, Maradona and Cruyff. Before the Nike Mercurial and adidas Predator arrived, the Puma King was already part of memorable football moments. Watch our Football Boots UK special video about the history of the iconic Puma silo, from its beginnings and heyday to its period of intense competition from today’s dominant football boot brands.
King 2023 and King 2024
King 2023 and King 2024 phased out K-leather in favour of a synthetic material called K-BETTER. As synthetic boots they were solid and held their own, an upgrade on the disappointing King Platinum 21, though still short of replicating the natural mouldability of leather. Fit-wise, they had a pointed shape for a sleeker, speed-boot vibe, appealing more to narrow-footed players.
King 2024 gave everyone a scare when it added ridges along the medial side for texturing, recalling the divisive Kingform technology of the King Platinum 21. Fortunately the ridges did not reverse whatever pliability K-BETTER had achieved.
King Platinum and King Platinum 21
Before the King Ultimate, one of the more recent attempts at a contemporary King came in 2019. The Puma King Platinum was underrated: quality K-leather packaged into a thin, streamlined fit much like a speed boot, appealing to traditionalists while feeling in touch with modern boots. It got a boost when Neymar switched to Puma and chose the King Platinum before headlining the Future silo.
Puma then changed the Platinum for the worse with the King Platinum 21. It was arguably the stiffest K-leather boot of all time, and whatever touch benefits the ribbed Kingform technology brought, if any, were outweighed by that rigid leather upper. It ended up uncomfortable not just by leather standards, but even against modern synthetic boots.
