Built for Players who prioritise soft touch, control and comfort (playmakers/technically-focused players).
A comfort-first control boot with a soft, padded touch that trades tactile precision and a minimalist feel for cushioning and protection.
| Released | 2025 | Brand | Puma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | King 20 Ultimate | Type | Soccer · Cleat |
| Level | Elite | Upper | TOTALTouch+ synthetic upper with engineered knit slip-on construction (textile knit heel), contains >20% recycled material per product copy |
| Soleplate | Lightweight synthetic/PEBA outsole, FG/AG stud configuration (multi-directional / T-shaped Fast Trax studs reported in technical materials) | Surface | Firm ground (FG) / Artificial grass (AG) |
| Who it's for | Players who prioritise soft touch, control and comfort (playmakers/technically-focused players) | Weight | 220 g |
| Fit | Regular (PUMA lists width as Regular); many retailers/reviews note a relatively snug/toebo | MSRP | $220 |
Synthesised from 6 independent reviews, every claim traces to a quote in the breakdown. We don't test products ourselves.
The Puma King 20 Ultimate is an elite control boot made for players who want cushioning and protection. It uses a heavily padded TOTALTouch+ upper, which gives a soft, padded feel on the ball, and OrthoLite heel padding for comfort. Reviewers praise the comfort and soft ball touch. They also say the padded upper reduces razor-sharp first-touch precision and makes the boot feel bulkier on the foot.
Released in 2025 as an elite-tier King model, the KING 20 Ultimate succeeds the KING Ultimate first launched in 2023 and carries an MSRP of 220.
Upper and construction: TOTALTouch+ is a soft, leather-like synthetic upper with an engineered knit slip-on construction and a textile knit heel. The product copy says the upper contains more than 20% recycled material. The interior includes OrthoLite custom-fit heel padding and a NanoGrip sockliner, the former being foam that cushions the heel and the latter a tacky insole surface to help the foot stay put.
Soleplate and studs: The boot uses a lightweight synthetic and PEBA outsole with a firm-ground/artificial-grass stud layout. Technical notes name PUMA Fast Trax T-shaped studs, which are T-shaped studs designed to help push off the ground, arranged in a multi-directional pattern. The soleplate is intended for firm grass and artificial grass.
The King 20 Ultimate fits central midfielders and defenders plus creative playmakers who prefer a cushioned, forgiving touch and on-pitch comfort rather than the closest possible first touch or minimal mass. The TOTALTouch+ upper, OrthoLite heel padding and raised texture areas point to players who want controllability and sustained comfort across firm grass and artificial grass.
It is an elite-level boot, so competitive club players who like a roomy, protected toe box will find it suitable. Players who need a very light speed boot or very aggressive traction, such as pace-focused wingers, attacking full-backs and some forwards, should pick a lighter, more specialised speed boot instead.
Reviewers agree the King 20 Ultimate gives a soft, dampened contact rather than a razor-close, barefoot feel. They describe the TOTALTouch+ upper as noticeably cushioned, which changes how the ball sits on the foot.
Boot Wizard says the TOTALTouch+ feels soft right away and gets softer with wear. FootballBoots.co.uk and Lockhart call the feel dampened and cosy, and say that reduces the sharpness of the first touch.
this new version has gone to Total Touch Plus, which is crazy soft and just softens in literally 20 minutes, and you're going to have a buttery soft upper.. Boot Wizard
Fit is a clear characteristic. Several outlets report more volume in the toe box and a generally wider shape compared with earlier King models. At least one reviewer says the length feels short.
Sizing advice is specific but mixed. Lockhart recommends going half a size down for players without wide feet. Unisport says the boot is wider and higher-volume than previous Kings. Reviewers also note the suede liner and OrthoLite padding help keep the foot held securely inside.
it's a lot wider and has a lot more volume in the toe box compared to previous Kings.. Unisport
Traction is serviceable rather than aggressive. Reviewers generally find the FG/AG stud layout gives reliable grip for changing direction but lacks the bite of very aggressive studs.
Lockhart and Marca de Gol report solid grip on artificial and firm grass for directional play. FootballBoots.co.uk warns the boot is not for ultra-aggressive traction. Boot Wizard questions whether the studs work well on some artificial pitches.
The grip is good on AG and HG and even works decently well on hard firm ground surfaces.. Lockhart Boot Blog
Control matches the touch profile. The padded, leather-like synthetic gives a forgiving surface with light tack instead of a very direct, razor-sharp feel to the ball.
Marca de Gol notes added raised texture in key parts of the upper to increase grip. FootballBoots.co.uk says there is enough tack to feel more controlled. Lockhart warns the boot loses some stability compared with firmer, more structured control boots.
En zonas estratégicas del upper añade una textura en relieve que ayuda a mejorar aún más el grip que se tiene con el esférico.. Marca de Gol
Comfort is the clearest strength. Reviewers consistently praise the heel padding, interior cushioning and soft upper. They describe the on-foot feel as padded and low-effort for match play.
Lockhart and FootballBoots.co.uk both highlight the heel and upper cushioning as standout features that make the boot comfortable for long sessions.
buttery soft and comfortable. FootballBoots.co.uk
There is limited evidence of improved practicality for durability. Lockhart highlights a rubberised toe added to protect the upper from abrasion. FootballBoots.co.uk reports lower water uptake compared with natural leather.
These details suggest a more robust synthetic build for routine firm-ground and artificial-grass use. Long-term wear reports are not extensive in the sample of reviews.
Quick shoutout to the rubberised toe, as this means that the upper is protected from harsher surfaces and helps the boot give this feeling of good durability.. Lockhart Boot Blog
The technical spec lists 220 grams per shoe. Reviewers say the boot feels perceptibly bulky and voluminous on the foot rather than minimalist or featherweight.
Both Boot Wizard and Unisport call the platform bulky or higher-volume, which affects perceived quickness and may matter to players looking for a minimal speed boot.
for me, this is too bulky. Boot Wizard
Best for central midfielders and defenders who want control and a soft, cushioned contact with the ball rather than absolute barefoot precision.
The King line is known for classic, control-focused boots. Players associated with the line tend to prefer comfort and touch over outright speed. This answer describes player type rather than listing current team players.
Reviewers say the King 20 runs shorter in length and wider in volume. Lockhart suggests a half-size down for average-width feet. Players with narrow feet may find them loose.
PUMA lists the King 20 as a regular-width boot. Multiple reviews describe increased toe-box volume and a wider fit than earlier King models, so wide-footed players should fit comfortably and narrow-footed players may want to size down.
The technical specification lists the weight at 220 grams per shoe.
Two reviewers point to construction details that help longevity: a rubberised toe to protect against abrasion and lower water uptake compared with natural leather. These details indicate practical durability improvements over untreated synthetic uppers.
Bottom line, The King 20 Ultimate is an elite comfort- and control-focused boot that gives a soft, padded feel and a protected upper for firm-ground and artificial-grass play. It is not for players who want a razor-sharp barefoot touch or a minimalist, speed-first platform.
The Cleats Hub Score is a weighted aggregate of these independent reviews, normalised to 0–10 and weighted by source authority, recency and sample size. We don't sell or physically test products. Read the full methodology.
Put the Puma King 20 Ultimate head-to-head against another cleat on every aggregated characteristic.
