Our verdict

Stemming from the '70s/'80s terrace sneaker culture, the PUMA Palermo successfully channels that era through its low-profile silhouette, gum sole, and leather/suede upper. We adore the simple elegance of this kick which makes it a solid competitor to the ever-present Adidas Sambas and Gazelles. Even though we wouldn't recommend the Palermo as a daily beater, we believe that it is money well spent if you need a clean sporty sneaker for an occasional night out. 

Pros

  • Real leather and suede at a moderate price
  • Clean terrace sneaker vibe
  • Surprisingly durable materials
  • Flexible and easy on foot
  • Excellent value for money
  • Feels grounded and stable
  • Stylish alternative to Adidas Samba

Cons

  • Lacks comfort and cushioning for all-day wear
  • Non-removable insole
  • Very minimal in-shoe padding

Audience verdict

92
Great!

Who should buy

Tired of walking into a room full of Sambas? Then it's time to consider this beautiful alternative from PUMA! We believe that the Palermo sneaker is right for you if:

Puma Palermo review

  • you want the sporty vibe of a '70s/'80s terrace sneaker (gum sole and all)
  • you prefer light, minimal, and low-to-the-ground sneakers
  • you are after a stylish suede/leather silhouette at an affordable price

Who should NOT buy

If you are chasing comfortable footwear above all else, we don't think you will be happy with the PUMA Palermo. Its midsole is so thin and firm that you won't be getting the necessary cushioning for a day full of walking.

A more suitable PUMA sneaker would be the RS-X and if you are up for exploring other brands, New Balance and Nike have some pretty comfy sneakers too.

Puma Palermo lab test

Breathability

The Palermo is available in many different upper variations but they all feature either leather or suede as the primary material. And none of these are famous for their breathability.

Even though some of the smoke we pumped into the shoe's upper escaped through the tongue gaps, it wasn't enough to bump up the kick's breathability score above 3 out of 5.

No secret perforations or ventilation holes showed up in our transparency test either.

Thus, we believe that the best time to rock this PUMA sneaker would be a mildly warm spring or fall weather or a cool summer evening.

Test results
Palermo 3
Average 3.1
Compared to 69 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Leather/Suede quality

The Palermo's affordable price point is likely to raise questions about its quality. But luckily we have some good news on that front.

Using a butane torch, we found that neither the shoe's primary leather panel nor its suede patches caught fire like fake material would.

Also, none of the upper parts melted or became gooey like the eyestay in the video above (that's an indication of fake synthetic leather).

Puma Palermo Suede microscope test

Zooming in on the shoe's suede T-toe through our microscope, we also found that it has a shaggy texture of genuine material.

Puma Palermo Suede under microscope

All in all, we are happy that PUMA did not compromise the quality of its upper materials even at such a budget-friendly price.

Test results
Palermo Real leather

Toebox durability

Soft to the touch, the Palermo's suede T-toe is not so soft in substance.

Unlike mesh or textile, it hardly gave in to our Dremel. Even after 12 seconds of drilling the material at a 5K RPM speed, the sandpaper failed to burn even halfway through the suede layer.

Puma Palermo Toebox durability comparison

Considering the cosmetic damage, we didn't hesitate to rate the PUMA Palermo's toebox durability with the highest score - 5 out of 5!

Test results
Palermo 5
Average 3.9
Compared to 69 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

The interiors of this PUMA sneaker are lined with pretty basic synthetic leather. Our Dremel test showed that it can hardly sustain prolonged abrasion.

After only 4 seconds of sandpaper exposure, we saw a tear in the contact area. Compared to the results we got in other sneakers, the Palermo's heel padding durability deserves only a moderate score of 3 out of 5.

Puma Palermo Heel padding durability comparison
Test results
Palermo 3
Average 3.4
Compared to 69 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

Assessing the gum rubber outsole of the PUMA Palermo, we didn't expect much wear resistance from this soft material. Especially since it proved to be softer than average with a durometer reading of 79.5 HC.

Puma Palermo Outsole hardness

And yet, the gum caught us off guard when we subjected it to our Dremel test... 

Test results
Palermo 79.5 HC
Average 85.2 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 69 sneakers
Number of shoes
72.9 HC
Outsole hardness
90.5 HC

Outsole durability

The material proved to be just as sturdy as the black rubber! We were impressed to see a tiny 1.1 mm scuff on the outsole after 22 seconds of drilling it at 10K RPM speed.

This is the same amount of wear as we see on most sneaker outsoles after this durability test.

Puma Palermo Outsole durability test
Test results
Palermo 1.1 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 69 sneakers
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

That's why we are not particularly worried about the fact that the Palermo's outsole is 1 mm thinner than average.

Puma Palermo Outsole thickness

With 4.5 mm of wear-resistant rubber, we expect an average outsole lifespan from this PUMA sneaker.

Test results
Palermo 4.5 mm
Average 5.5 mm
Compared to 70 sneakers
Number of shoes
3.1 mm
Outsole thickness
12.5 mm

Weight

Even though the PUMA Palermo has a minimal silhouette and feels light on foot, the number on the scale did not drop much lower than average.

Puma Palermo Weight

At 13.1 oz (371g) in a men's US size 9, we found that the shoe's weight is on par with the Adidas Gazelle but is about an ounce heavier than the Samba.

Test results
Palermo 13.09 oz (371g)
Average 13.83 oz (392g)
Compared to 70 sneakers
Number of shoes
8.50 oz (241g)
Weight
22.61 oz (641g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

Choosing the Palermo for day-to-day wear, expect to feel VERY close to the ground in this low-profile sneaker.

Puma Palermo Heel stack

We measured its heel stack at only 22.6 mm which is a solid 7 mm lower than the average lifestyle sneaker. It is, however, equally grounded as the famous Samba and the Gazelle.

Test results
Palermo 22.6 mm
Average 29.6 mm
Compared to 70 sneakers
Number of shoes
16.9 mm
Heel stack
50.5 mm

Forefoot stack

The sole gets even thinner in the forefoot with only 15.6 mm of material separating the ball of foot from the ground.

Puma Palermo Forefoot stack

Cushioning is practically non-existent here which makes the Palermo less than ideal for long hours of walking and standing.

Test results
Palermo 15.6 mm
Average 18.6 mm
Compared to 70 sneakers
Number of shoes
10.6 mm
Forefoot stack
28.3 mm

Drop

The Palermo has a moderate heel-to-toe incline of 7.0 mm. This means that the heel is slightly elevated above the toes putting the foot in a less flat position.

Puma Palermo Drop
Test results
Palermo 7.0 mm
Average 10.9 mm
Compared to 70 sneakers
Number of shoes
4.6 mm
Drop
22.6 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

The primary midsole material of the Palermo is made of a pretty dense EVA foam. Pressing a Shore A durometer against it returned a notably higher-than-average reading of 37.5 HA. For reference, this is 28% firmer than the typical lifestyle sneaker!

Puma Palermo Midsole softness

There is hardly any give to the shoe's platform resulting in very little comfort and impact protection in this PUMA sneaker. Not our top choice for hours of walking for sure!

Test results
Palermo 37.5 HA
Average 29.2 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 55 sneakers
Number of shoes
15.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
60.0 HA

Insole thickness

To save the day, a padded insole makes the Palermo feel a little less like a brick underfoot.

Puma Palermo Insole thickness

Measuring its thickness with a caliper returned a regular reading of 4.0 mm.

Test results
Palermo 4.0 mm
Average 5.2 mm
Compared to 70 sneakers
Number of shoes
3.1 mm
Insole thickness
14.2 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

The PUMA Palermo is not a supportive sneaker per se but its low-set build and firm sole naturally make it feel quite stable.

You would need to try hard to roll the ankle in this low-to-the-ground shoe.

Torsional rigidity

As a classic terrace sneaker, the Palermo's minimal construction makes it highly flexible.

See how effortlessly we were able to twist the shoe in our manual test above. On a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the stiffest, we rated its torsional rigidity with a low score of 2.

This is not the kind of kick that would make your movements feel restricted.

Test results
Palermo 2
Average 3.4
Compared to 69 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

We found that the heel hold of this PUMA sneaker was moderate but sufficient. For a minimal shoe like that, a highly stiff and padded heel counter is simply not needed.

Pushing and squeezing the back portion of the Palermo, we assessed its heel counter stiffness with an average score of 3 out of 5. It is not entirely floppy either!

Test results
Palermo 3
Average 3.2
Compared to 69 sneakers
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width - forefoot

Flipping the shoe upside down, we found its footprint slightly broader than that of the Samba or Gazelle.

Puma Palermo Midsole width in the forefoot

Our caliper recorded 105.9 mm between the widest points of the shoe's sole.

We think that the slightly wider contact area of the PUMA Palermo would be more beneficial for people with flat feet as opposed to the slimmer Adidas kicks.

Test results
Palermo 105.9 mm
Average 108.4 mm
Compared to 70 sneakers
Number of shoes
95.1 mm
Midsole width - forefoot
121.0 mm

Midsole width - heel

Checking the widest area of the shoe's heel, we got 81.9 mm.

Puma Palermo Midsole width in the heel

For context, the same measurement showed 72.0 mm on the Adidas Gazelle and 75.4 mm on the Samba.

Test results
Palermo 81.9 mm
Average 82.9 mm
Compared to 70 sneakers
Number of shoes
67.7 mm
Midsole width - heel
103.1 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

Completely unrestricted steps are guaranteed in the PUMA Palermo. Its thin and flexible sole needed very little effort to bend as our feet transitioned from heels to toes.

How flexible is it exactly? Just like an average casual sneaker, according to our force gauge.

It took only 20.0N to bend the Palermo to a 90-degree angle - just the same as most kicks.

Test results
Palermo 20.0N
Average 22.9N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 70 sneakers
Number of shoes
5.8N
Stiffness
60.5N

Size and fit

Toebox width - widest part

The PUMA Palermo may seem like a narrow sneaker because of its visually streamlined design but it turns out to have an average amount of toebox space.

Puma Palermo Toebox width at the widest part

Measuring the widest part of its forefoot, our caliper showed 98.8 mm which is exactly the same as the average.

It's not enough to accommodate a wide foot or a bunion but it offers just enough room for a D-medium foot.

Test results
Palermo 98.8 mm
Average 98.8 mm
Compared to 70 sneakers
Number of shoes
91.6 mm
Toebox width - widest part
107.7 mm

Toebox width - big toe

The tapering is not so aggressive in this PUMA sneaker either. We measured a standard width of 74.4 mm near the big toe. 

Puma Palermo Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
Palermo 74.4 mm
Average 74.7 mm
Compared to 69 sneakers
Number of shoes
63.7 mm
Toebox width - big toe
83.0 mm

Comfort

Tongue padding

The in-shoe padding is practically non-existent in the PUMA Palermo. Its paper-thin tongue returned as little as 1.3 mm on our caliper.

Puma Palermo Tongue padding

It is some of the thinnest tongues we've seen on a sneaker, similar to the one in the Converse Chuck 70.

Test results
Palermo 1.3 mm
Average 9.0 mm
Compared to 70 sneakers
Number of shoes
0.7 mm
Tongue padding
38.4 mm

Heel tab

The Palermo doesn't have any finger loops or pull tabs attached.

Puma Palermo Heel tab
Test results
Palermo None

Removable insole

The entire insole of the PUMA Palermo is glued to the strobel. This makes it tricky to insert any custom orthotics to elevate the sneaker's comfort and step-in feel.

Puma Palermo Removable insole
Test results
Palermo No

Price

We consider the PUMA Palermo's price to be fair for what the kick has to offer. It is on par with the other popular terrace sneakers from Adidas (Samba and Gazelle) and is fairly easy to cop at a discount.

Puma Palermo Price

The use of real leather and suede on the upper is a bonus for sure.

Test results
Palermo $90
Average $118
Compared to 97 sneakers
Number of shoes
$50
Price
$220

Misc

Reflective elements

None of the upper elements on the Palermo are made of reflective material. No shining in the dark with this sneaker.

Puma Palermo Reflective elements
Test results
Palermo No