Now firmly re-established as a running shoe brand to be reckoned with, Puma has a new range of shoes that offer options for any speed.
This review is independent, unbiased and based on actual miles run in these shoes. This section contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission when you follow these links.
MagMax NITRO
– £170.00
With a super-deep stack of 46mm of cushioning in the heel, there’s certainly no shortage of cushioning here, and the nitrogen-infused foam certainly kicks things up a notch, just like its name suggests.
With all that NITRO foam underfoot, you’re guaranteed a soft and plush ride that’s not without a responsive feel. The shoe feels smooth from heel strike to toe and provides an almost effortless sense of forward motion.
The foot sits a little deeper into the midfoot cushioning of the shoe, so despite being a neutral model, it’s relatively stable, and the MagMax’s wider footprint also contributes to this stability.
A soft and very comfortable mesh upper keeps the foot firmly in place, and there’s plush padding around the ankle collar and Achilles area that feels good from the moment you slip your foot inside. A stretch knit tongue also enhances the sleek and chic feel of this upper.
PUMAGRIP rubber adds to the shoe’s durability and high traction, making the MagMax NITRO a great everyday training shoe for everyday mileage at any pace.
Puma Mag Max
Diversion NITRO Elite 3 – £195.00
When it’s time to pick up the pace a little, the Nitro Elite 3 is one of Puma’s best race day options. Offering a super-smooth ride alongside high-drive toes, the Nitro Elite 3 combines NITROFOAM with a carbon plate for a fast, energetic feel.
A maximum height of 40mm (race-legal) provides plenty of cushioning even for marathon distance, and when the speed really picks up, the advantage of the full-length carbon fiber plate is obvious.
Despite the shoe’s race-day credentials, the Nitro Elite 3 still manages to be one of the most versatile carbon-clad options on the market. This is probably due to NITROFOAM and its quantity. It can provide a high degree of shock absorption as well as propulsion when called upon.
The shoe’s upper is a single-layer mesh that keeps weight down, yet provides a nice, gathered fit. The PUMAGRIP outsole provides adequate traction in wet and dry conditions to get the most out of these fast-moving racers.
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3
Get Deviate NITRO! Elite 3 here
FAST-R NITRO Elite 2 – £230.00
This is PUMA’s ultimate racing shoe, reinforced with NITROFOAM ELITE and PWRPLATE technologies in a model perfect for fast efforts.
Having tested two of the brand’s racing models, the FAST-R feels more aggressive out of the shoe and better suited for shorter distances. I’d rather run 5km or 10km in this shoe, and the Nitro Elite 3 reigns supreme over longer distances.
In the second version of the Fast R, NITROFOAM forms the full coverage of the midsole, and the new, elongated PWRPLATE (carbon fiber) extends beyond the toe to increase propulsion on the foot. The whole package creates an explosive level of energy return that is maximized at your top speed.
For shorter distances or very efficient athletes who excel in the mid to front section, the Fast R provides a ride unlike anything else.
Puma Fast R:
Get the FAST-R NITRO! Elite 2 here!
FAST-RB NITRO Elite – £300.00
For rule breakers or those who want something a little different for training, the FAST RB (Rule Breaker) may be the answer.
With a heel height of 58mm, slightly higher than the World Athletics limit of 40mm, and three lugs (one carbon, two nylon), the FAST RB is an experiment in pushing the limits and boundaries.
Focusing on the forefoot strike and toe-in, as well as the triple plate technology, results in a shoe like no other. NITROFOAM pods in the front combine with the plates to create a springboard effect that feels responsive to say the least.
It’s a crazy fast ride that should be optimized by the forward strike of the sprinter’s foot. This is not meant for easy days.
While we won’t see this shoe line up at the start of major marathons, it at least showcases the thought and technology that Puma is considering and shows that they are thinking outside the box.
It’s a fun shoe and certainly looks more pushy than anything else, even if it’s “banned” by World Athletics.
Puma Fast RB
Get the FAST-RB NITRO Elite here
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