The Ultra 6 is Puma’s definition of a speed boot. The upper uses a thin textile mesh as the base material, which it then coats it with Grip Control Pro for added ball grip and backs it with PWRTAPE SQD internal frame to keep your foot in place during cuts. Tooling-wise, it has a snappy Pebax soleplate and an even wilder carbon fibre version.

After going with them in few training games and actual matches, and playing with them on a variety of pitches, I immediately notice that the outsole really gives you an energy return sensation. It is lightweight but not as light as its main competitors, but that ball grip coating is something that performs even in wet conditions. I just need to address some issues surrounding heel fit in order for me to make the boots work to its fullest.

Ultra 6 Page Content Summary:

About the authors: This review was co-written by Dean Ariola, FootballBoots.co.uk’s Chief Writer, and Ian Ebbs, founder of FootballBoots.co.uk, host of the site’s YouTube channel and author of the Boot Secrets guide. Ian bought these boots himself to provide an independent review.

What’s New with the Ultra 6

• Coming from the Ultra Ultimate in 2023, the Puma Ultra 6 has a knitted textile mesh upper with a Gripcontrol Pro Skin.
• It also comes with an updated outsole in the form of the Speed System, which is comprised of FastTrax studs and is available in regular Pebax and Carbon-based options.

FAQs about the Puma Ultra 6:

1. Are they suitable for wide feet?
   • Shape-wise, the boot falls on the narrow side. But the stretch from the tongue and the give from the upper makes it amenable to wider foot shapes.
2. What type of player are they for?
   • The Puma Ultra has speedy merchants at heart, and generally caters to the ever-evolving, faster nature of the modern game.
3. What is the Speed System outsole?
   • Speed System takes its cue from Puma’s track-running history and their high-profile ambassador Usain Bolt. As such, the outsole’s inclusion of a carbon-based version is meant to increase energy return while the FastTrax studs are based on Bolt’s running shoe spikes.

Is the Puma Ultra 6 worth it?

Yes — if you want a snappy tooling, grippy upper and aggressive traction.
The Puma Ultra 6 and its Grip Control Pro can take on, and perhaps even best the grip technologies of other speed boots. The snap back of the soleplate is observable even with just the Pebax-based version, while the T-shaped FastTrax studs penetrates the ground with ease.

My Puma Ultra 6 Ultimate Review

• Release Year: 2025
• Generation Number: 6th
• Purpose: Speed Boot
• Competitor/s: Nike Mercurials, adidas F50
• Notable Players: Christian Pulisic, Memphis Depay

I fully believe that the new PUMA Ultra fits my style perfectly — fast, light and comfortable.

Christian Pulisic, Forward

Testing Conditions

• Surfaces: Firm ground and artificial grass
• Weather: Dry and damp sessions
• Sessions: 2 Competitive Matches, 3 Training Sessions
• Foot Type: Medium Width (EU 43 1/3)
• Playing Position: Out and Out Winger
• Playing Style: Wide positioning, uses pace to exploit space
• Break-in Time: Approximately 30–45 minutes

SPEEDSYSTEM Soleplate

The highlight of the Ultra 6 is the full-length carbon fibre soleplate. I think SPEEDSYSTEM is the best application so far of carbon fibre on outsoles, even better perhaps than the Carbitex Speedframe of the adidas X. The snapback is relatively off-the-charts, and the overall plate feels solid and dense under your feet. Then there’s the toe lift that keeps you on your toes and gets you ready to accelerate. For certain, the SPEEDSYSTEM is not for everyone, and I believe those who are not fans of this tooling are those that might prefer a lighter, more flexible soleplate.

The stud configuration is pretty much unique. FastTrax are these long, web-shaped studs that are aggressive in design. Besides the shape, it’s also distinct because of the three-stud setup rather than the usual four on the heel. For years Puma has labelled their top-end boots FG/AG, so I think the decision to stick with the FG assignment for the Ultra 6 is definitely warranted. The harder the pitch is, the more that you’ll get pushback and pressure from the FastTrax configuration.

Now there’s the Ultra 6 Ultimate with a Pebax Speedsystem instead of Carbon. I believe Puma have made this option available for those who will find the Carbon soleplate a bit taxing and heavy on their feet, without giving away too much of that snap back effect. Pebax Speedsystem still has the Fast Trax studs, meaning that I just can’t use them in AG unless I’m looking to trip on that aggressive cling.

Mesh Upper with PWRTAPE SQD and Grip Control Pro

What we get for the upper is a mesh-based material with thin film of sticky coating on top and a cut-out frame backing. The material itself is definitely pliable and allows the boot to have a comfort aspect and some give to accommodate additional width despite its relatively narrow shaping. The Grip Control Pro Skin, which is a combination of a texturing and a sticky coating, really works in gripping the ball. Just take note that you might need some time getting used to it as the stick can definitely trip you up at times. Combine that sticky coating though with the direct, barefoot ball sensation, and you have a boot that is a perfect match for the dribblers of the game.

PWRTAPE SQD I would say is a silent hero here. It’s not immediately noticeable like the grip factor of the upper or the snap of the outsole, and simply does it magic once you start pushing off from side to side. It acts like a strap or a seatbelt that locks your feet in place and prevents them from sliding too much during lateral movements, so from the forefoot and midfoot at least, the lockdown and responsiveness is top notch.

Fit, Feel and Sizing

Whereas the Ultra 6 has gone hardcore speed when it comes to the outsole and weight (still lightweight but might just be a bit behind the other mainstream speed boots), I believe Puma has decided to become conservative when it comes to fit. For my narrow feet, the boot still wraps my them closely, though I can feel some space around the bottom part of my midfoot. If you have a bit more width or flat-footed, that will certainly address the issue. It’s easy to stretch it sideways to open it up and take in more width thanks to the stretchy integrated knitted tongue.

There’s also this minimal heel padding, which is noticeable less than what you’ll find in other boots. This causes the heel and the quarter to have a somewhat relaxed wrap around that part of my foot. I think you can remedy this by taking advantage of the extra lace holes and doing a runner’s loop, as well as wearing grip socks that have anti-slip elements extending towards the heel. This also significantly increases the lockdown for me. There’s also these pressure points from the counter, an issue that is more pronounced with the carbon version.

The sizing is where it gets tricky as the length runs a bit long, a quarter to half-a-size even. The toe box is a bit pointy though, and so you should only go half-a-size down if the tighter fit wouldn’t crush your feet.

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How We Tested And Reviewed The Puma Ultra

For our ways and means when it comes to boot testing, you can check them out here. Puma views the Ultra as its top speed boot option, and so I involved the Puma Ultra in actual training and matches to see how it really performs in practice. This way, we could also see the Puma Ultra for what it is and what it provides on its own. Because it is a speed boot, I wanted to see how it performs in straight-up runs, as well as during cuts and zig-zag lateral movements.

Which Ultra model should you pick?

Choose the Ultimate if you want the best implementation of the Ultra technologies at the lightest possible setting.

Choose the Pro if you don’t mind the additional weight in favour of maintaining the exact upper features and fit of the Elite.

Choose the Match if you can live with the hard transition between a cushioned, pliable forefoot and a thin, structured midfoot, leading to a less streamlined upper sensation.

Key Facts about the Puma Ultra 6

Boot type: Speed

Generation: 6th

Upper: Textile mesh upper that softens up and breaks down from the get go

Grip: Grip Control Pro Coating with forefoot texturing

Stability: Speedsystem, available in carbon fibre and Pebax versions

Fit: Narrow fitting but with a give to accommodate wider foot shapes

Best surface: Natural grass

>> Check out the Latest Ultra Available *affiliate link to Puma

Puma Ultra 6 Pro

With the Pro you get a textile mesh that does not really deviate from the upper sensation of the flagship models. Fit and shape is also almost the same, and the only thing that is a noticeable change is that the Pro significantly weighs more due to a different sole construction. I would think there are some that would prefer to have their boots feel solid and full especially underfoot to create that sense of stability.

But one of the things you are after for a speed boot is that nimble, lightweight feeling. On that regard, the Ultra 6 Pro is a bit of a disappointment. It could have been one of those 1st level takedown boots that provide extreme value-for-money due to their indistinguishable nature to the Elite models. It’s as if Puma has intentionally made the Pro lean on the heavier side for the sake of just being different (or may be even less desirable).

Puma Ultra 6 Match

You can always go for the Ultra 6 Match if you’re a fan of the Puma silo and need a budget option. With that said, there’s still a lot of positives at this level, one of which is that you get almost the same upper pliability as that of the Elite, though the material does feel relatively thicker on the forefoot because of the additional of an internal foam liner. The liner though gives way to a midfoot caging system meant to replicate PWRTAPE SQD, and so while it does a good job of locking you foot in place, it also creates a disjointed ball touch feeling where it is dampened on the forefoot and barefoot-like on the midfoot. No Grip Control Pro is applied but the Ultra Match makes it up for it with tons of microtexturing. At least when it comes to Match you get to choose whether you want a high-cut finish or to stick with the lows. Soleplate-wise, it feels like it has the same plastic outsole as the PRO, which means it is weighs significantly more than the Elite tier but also one of the most stable at this price point.

Final Thoughts Regarding the Puma Ultra 6

The Puma Ultra 6 certainly has its own competitive advantage as a speed boot. Grip is ever present, upper is comfortably pliable, tooling is responsive and fit is adaptive. More or less you can find the same qualities in other Elite speed boots, but these qualities stand out even more because of the Ultra’s competitive pricing. Speaking of pricing, you can get even more value by going for the Pro and just getting used to its heavier build. And if you can also live with a less streamlined upper, where the forefoot feels pliable and cushioned while the midfoot is structured and thin, you can get the best price point with the Ultra Match.

Development of the Puma Ultra Speed Boot

Puma introduced the Ultra in 2020, replacing the versatile ONE with a line dedicated to speed. As you’ll see below, much has already happened with the Ultra line in that short span of time.

Ultra 5 Ultimate

Except for very minor changes like the removal of the collar tab on the front and the increased height of the heel counter, Ultra 6 was pretty much the same boot as the Ultra 5. Ultra 5 was where we saw the iteration of a lightweight mesh upper coupled with PWRTAPE SQD support frame that was well-received for how adaptive the material was on-feet. This was also the generation to give us a full carbon-fibre outsole model and the FastTrax stud layout.

Ultra Ultimate (2022 and 2023)

The makeup of the Puma Ultra Ultimate began in 2022. It had the PWRTAPE as a structural support wrapped around the heel and the ULTRAWEAVE upper contained PWRPRINT texturing on the forefoot. It was also the first time we got to see the dual density SPEEDPLATE. Puma reconfigured the boot in 2023 where the PWRTAPE served as an internal cage support for the ULTRAWEAVE.

Ultra 1.3 and 1.4

Before the ULTRAWEAVE made its way to the Ultra, the Puma speed boot, in its 1.3 and 1.4 generations, sported a highly-technical  ULTRACUT upper comprised of MATRYXEVO carbon yarns backed by an internal microfibre Speedcage.

The combination produced a seatbelt-like effect during motions, whereas the Ultra Ultimate has a simpler, no-nonsense snug fit. As such, most of the comfort of the current Ultra is derived from the softness and pliability of the ULTRAWEAVE itself, while the 1.3 and 1.4 relied more on having a slight breathing space because of its plain synthetic nature (despite being soft and pliable themselves). Specifically on the 1.4, the Grip Control Pro added a sticky surface finish for ball grip.

Ultra 1.1 and 1.2

When the Ultra started, it had a knitted finish that was pretty much the standard for speed boots back then. The sock-like material, foam liner, and relatively roomy volume meant that the Ultra began as a speed boot with comfort in mind.

Since the Future Z has already excelled on that point, it’s only logical that the Ultra turns to being more competitive on the performance side. The OG Ultra had the same Peba Speedunit outsole that carried over up until the 1.4. The Speedunit already had some snapback, but the addition of the outer TPU structure adds a level of energy return to the current Speedplate that puts the Ultimate on-par with the responsive outsoles like the adidas Carbitex Speedframe and Nike Aerotrak.