Our verdict

The best way we can describe the PUMA TRC Blaze Court is it's like a friend who looks small and fragile but is actually a skilled fighter. This shoe's very unassuming slender build and very minimal looks actually hide tremendous potential. We find it a pleasure to play in, and we think this is best for athletes who like to explosively sprint their way to the basket. If it wasn't for its frail outsole and upper, the TRC Blaze Court would've made it to our top charts.

Pros

  • Excellent grip for quick movements
  • Incredible bounce and impact protection
  • Amazing in-shoe comfort
  • Dependable foot containment
  • Smooth ride
  • True-to-size fit
  • Pretty light
  • Slender appearance

Cons

  • Cheap materials and poor durability
  • Dulled by dust
  • Reduced court feel
  • Lacks breathability

Audience verdict

76
Good!

Who should buy

We believe that this basketball shoe from PUMA is ideally suited for players who:

  • are lighter and faster like point or shooting guards
  • mostly play their games indoors
  • want a sleek performance shoe that doubles as a lifestyle sneaker

PUMA TRC Blaze Court review

Who should NOT buy

The PUMA TRC Blaze Court is a disaster on outdoor courts as it breaks down way too easily. If you want a lasting hoop shoe for that purpose, we recommend the Jordan Zion 2 instead.

And if you need a shoe that's more resistant to dust, the Adidas D.O.N Issue#4 and the Nike Zoom Freak 4 proved to be better options.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court lab test

Breathability

Based on our breathability test, the PUMA TRC Blaze Court doesn't let the heat escape so easily. Pumping smoke through the shoe's upper, it was barely passing through. On a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the most breathable, we rated this PUMA shoe as only 2/5.

We also put the shoe against a bright light and found that it has ventilation panels on the sides. This is the most transparent part of the shoe's upper. But apparently, these are not enough to help with better aeration.

In addition, the toebox material is woven extra-tightly on this PUMA shoe.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court microscope

Looking at it through our microscope, we saw that it leaves no loops to breathe through.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court microscope upper

If you would like to see a more breathable hoop shoe from PUMA, consider the Rise Nitro.

Test results
TRC Blaze Court 2
Average 2.5
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Outsole hardness

With a durometer reading of only 69.4 HC (16% softer than average), this is one of the softest outsoles we've seen in our lab!

PUMA TRC Blaze Court Outsole hardness

And for a basketball shoe, this is NOT a good thing if you play outdoors.

It took us a single playtest to find out that the shoe's soft rubber and thin treads melt when contacting a harsh surface.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court outdoor

Test results
TRC Blaze Court 69.4 HC
Average 81.8 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
59.5 HC
Outsole hardness
91.0 HC

Outsole thickness

PUMA did try to compensate for the softness with a super thick outsole. Using a caliper, we measured the rubber thickness at 5.8 mm (waaay thicker than average!).

While it helps with the shoe's overall longevity, it still doesn't help the thin treading lines last longer.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court Outsole thickness
Test results
TRC Blaze Court 5.8 mm
Average 4.0 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.9 mm

Upper materials

In our opinion, PUMA went for some really cheap upper materials, even for a £130 shoe.

Not only do they look cheap, they are in fact extremely frail. The laces look as if they were taken out of a £30 Walmart sneaker!

PUMA TRC Blaze Court laces

We actually think that the "quality" of materials on the TRC Blaze Court can be a deal-breaker that undermines all the other things that this basketball shoe does so well!

Weight

The PUMA TRC Blaze Court is a great pick for fast and explosive movements. At 13.1 oz (372g) per shoe, it turns out to be 0.5 oz (15g) lighter than our lab-tested basketball shoes on average.

But when on the court, it feels even lighter than that! This PUMA shoe allowed us to accelerate without being held back.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court jump

Test results
TRC Blaze Court 13.12 oz (372g)
Average 14.18 oz (402g)
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
11.29 oz (320g)
Weight
17.46 oz (495g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

Measuring the shoe's midsole with a caliper, we got 29 mm of stack height in the heel.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court Heel stack

And while that's exactly the same as the average, the PUMA TRC Blaze Court feels thicker because of all the impact protection that it provides. It actually felt as if our feet were standing on a pedestal which did result in having less court feel.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court heel cushioning

Test results
TRC Blaze Court 29.0 mm
Average 30.1 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
25.2 mm
Heel stack
38.4 mm

Forefoot stack

In the forefoot, the stack height gets naturally lower. We got a caliper reading of 20.1 mm which is even a couple of millimeters less than the average.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court Forefoot stack
Test results
TRC Blaze Court 20.1 mm
Average 21.7 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
18.2 mm
Forefoot stack
25.2 mm

Drop

The PUMA TRC Blaze Court has a slightly higher than average drop of 8.9 mm. Having more abundant cushioning under the heel made us feel very safe and supported, no matter how hard our landings were.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court Drop
Test results
TRC Blaze Court 8.9 mm
Average 8.4 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
4.4 mm
Drop
14.8 mm

Midsole softness

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

The PUMA TRC Blaze Court has a firmer type of cushioning. Our durometer shows a reading of 32 HA. This is 15% firmer than the average of our tested basketball shoes. However, the shoe doesn't feel dull at all!

PUMA TRC Blaze Court Midsole softness

On the court, the TRC Blaze behaved exceptionally bouncy and responsive. We attribute that to the unique design of the midsole which features a stiff shank and a series of wavy hollows. Apparently, it helps to create a springboard-like effect.

It all made jumping in this PUMA shoe super easy and almost effortless.

Test results
TRC Blaze Court 32.0 HA
Average 26.2 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
11.0 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
35.9 HA

Insole thickness

A padded insole amplifies the underfoot comfort of the TRC Blaze Court. At 4.7 mm, it is about as thick as the average.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court Insole thickness
Test results
TRC Blaze Court 4.7 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Insole thickness
8.6 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

This PUMA basketball shoe boasts a high level of support and stability. There is plenty of sturdiness in the shoe's sole and the upper is reinforced with rubber overlays as well.

As a result, lateral movements were all well supported in the TRC Blaze Court.

Torsional rigidity

Testing the shoe's torsional rigidity in our manual test, it feels very unforgiving. Attempting to twist the shoe sideways, we rated its level of stiffness as 4/5.

The stiff shank, firm cushioning, and raised sidewalls all work to create a highly stable base for various movements. Never once did we feel as if our ankles were going to roll.

Test results
TRC Blaze Court 4
Average 4.5
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

The heel counter is just as mighty stiff as the sole. On a 1-5 scale, we gave it a rating of 4. Our heels and ankles were held firmly all throughout the game. Not a sight of heel slippage.

Test results
TRC Blaze Court 4
Average 3.5
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

The TRC Blaze Court from PUMA has a fairly wide landing area.

In the widest part of the forefoot, we measured the shoe at 111.4 mm. This is an average width for basketball shoes but it made us feel surefooted all throughout the test.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
TRC Blaze Court 111.4 mm
Average 113.9 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
106.2 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
122.2 mm

Midsole width in the heel

In the widest part of the heel, the sole width reaches 90.4 mm. This is also an average width but a reliable one for sure.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court Midsole width in the heel
Test results
TRC Blaze Court 90.4 mm
Average 91.6 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
82.4 mm
Midsole width in the heel
105.1 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

The heel-to-toe transitions feel very smooth in the PUMA TRC Blaze Court. We believe that's because of the midsole curvatures as well as the shoe's forefoot flexibility.

We tested the latter with the help of a force gauge. It took 31.2N to bend the shoe to a 90-degree angle. This is 34% less than it takes on average.

Test results
TRC Blaze Court 31.2N
Average 40.8N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
29.9N
Stiffness
67.2N

Grip / Traction

Even though the shoe's outsole is too frail for the outdoors, its performance is phenomenal indoors!

The multidirectional treads form a very efficient pattern for stopping on a sixpence and changing directions quickly. No matter where we took our next step, there were a number of tread lines facing that direction.

But like many basketball shoes, the PUMA TRC Blaze Court is sensitive to dust. Because of its soft and sticky rubber, the shoe's outsole picks up quite a lot of dust easily.

Size and fit

Toebox width at the widest part

Measuring the widest part of the shoe's toebox, our caliper shows 95.7 mm. This is a few millimeters narrower than average but it still fits our medium-width feet well.

But we did find it to be more of a one-to-one fit rather than a roomy one. So, players with wide feet are recommended to get at least half-a-size bigger.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
TRC Blaze Court 95.7 mm
Average 100.9 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
92.6 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
108.2 mm

Toebox width at the big toe

We also made sure that the TRC Blaze Court doesn't get too tapered by measuring the toebox width at the big-toe mark.

At 76.4 mm, it is only a millimeter narrower than average.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
TRC Blaze Court 76.4 mm
Average 76.8 mm
Compared to 30 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
71.2 mm
Toebox width at the big toe
85.1 mm

Tongue: gusset type

Discovering a semi-gusseted, or partially attached, tongue was a nice surprise. That doesn't usually happen in more affordable shoes.

We received plenty of foot containment from the PUMA TRC Blaze Court and that is in part thanks to the gussets.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court Tongue: gusset type
Test results
TRC Blaze Court Both sides (semi)

Comfort

We also made sure that the TRC Blaze Court doesn't get too tapered by measuring the toebox width at the big-toe mark.

At 76.4 mm, it is only a millimetre narrower than average.

Tongue padding

The tongue of the TRC Blaze Court is among the thickest we've seen! Our caliper shows 12.9 mm which is (wow!) 3.5 mm thicker than average!

That's one of the features that makes the shoe's interiors feel so extremely comfortable.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court Tongue padding
Test results
TRC Blaze Court 12.9 mm
Average 9.2 mm
Compared to 36 basketball shoes
Number of shoes
1.3 mm
Tongue padding
14.9 mm

Heel tab

There are no heel tabs on this PUMA shoe, but it's not that big of a deal. It is quite easy to get the shoe on and off.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court Heel tab
Test results
TRC Blaze Court None

Removable insole

If you need to use a different insole or custom orthotics with the TRC Blaze Court, it is not a problem. The shoe's native insole is easy to remove.

PUMA TRC Blaze Court Removable insole
Test results
TRC Blaze Court Yes