If you’re in the market for a reliable everyday trainer and want stability that nudges, not nags, the ForeverRun Nitro 2 is a top pick. Its minor updates make this plated racer more stable and fun to run, while its bouncy Nitro foam and PumaGrip outsole still hold up for speed work.
1. ForeverRun Nitro
If you need the stability of a daily training shoe and want a soft NITROFOAM feel with a snap to your stride, look no further than ForeverRun Nitro. Its newly developed NITRO foam blends cushioning and guidance, focusing on specific foot strike stages with its RUNGUIDE system and a heel clip that works in conjunction with a dual-density NITROFOAM setup with a softer core and firmer lining to keep the foot centered and aligned during the gait cycle. An engineered mesh upper and PWRTAPE targeted support lock the shoe down, while PUMAGRIP performance rubber gives you confidence on road, light trails and gravel stretches.
Matt: ForeverRun Nitro is a great choice for those who need mild to moderate guidance from the heel all the way to the forefoot. Its Nitro foam platform has a fairly bouncy ride and transitions smoothly, but it does have a little more sole flaring in the forefoot than most trainers and is a little narrow in the midfoot area.
ForeverRun Nitro has a nice, even 10 mm drop and a slight rocker to help you roll from the heel to the forefoot with ease. The newest version improves on the original model by adding a more stable and flexible carbon plate that runs through the middle of the shoe. The resulting shoe is lighter and more responsive than you might expect from a plated racer and will hold up well to workouts, long miles and races.
2. Fast-R Nitro Elite
When it comes to racing shoes, few brands know how to do it better than PUMA. The Fast-R series is no exception, and the Elite 3 takes it to a whole new level. Featuring an incredibly light and bouncy ride, the Fast-R is designed for speedy distances like 5K’s to full marathons. Using advanced computational design, Puma stripped away everything unnecessary and refined every detail to create this pure race-day tool.
The upper features an ultralight and translucent engineered mesh called ULTRAWEAVE that feels paper thin, and provides plenty of stretch while allowing you to see your feet clearly. Puma also added structure around the heel collar, a simple but effective punched eyelet design and one of their signature features: a narrow and tall plastic clip near the rear of the shoe to add rigidity and support.
The sole is a bit more aggressive than most of the other runner’s shoes in this category with significant lateral and medial flare and a stiff plate that feels great at faster speeds. The decoupled construction uses a layer of EVA foam that absorbs and stores energy on landing and a more responsive Nitro Elite (made with Aliphatic TPU) in the forefoot to propel you forward at toe-off.
This is a great shoe for those with stable neutral mechanics that want to shave time off their PR’s. Puma claims that this shoe improves running economy by 3.6% compared to the previous model and it’s not hard to see why.
3. Velocity Nitro 4
The Velocity Nitro 4 is a do-it-all trainer that combines moderate cushioning with a classic geometry for a responsive run. A full slab of new NITROFOAM keeps things fresh and supportive, with a softer heel transition and snappy toe off. A rolled collar adds comfort for long, steady miles and the engineered mesh upper is light and durable thanks to PWRTAPE reinforcements. A PUMAGRIP rubber outsole offers best-in-class multi-surface grip.
If the Nitro 3 was a bit of a letdown, then the 4 is a bright and exciting update that feels fresh on foot. A full slab of modern A-TPU NITROFOAM midsole is plush and responsive, with a lively feel underfoot and in the forefoot. Unlike the dual-density setup of the NITRO Elite Foam in Puma’s racing and plated trainers (like the Fast-R Nitro 2 and Deviate Nitro Elite), this is a single slab that wraps the whole foot and works with the shoe’s RunGuide support system and heel clip to provide stability that nudges rather than nags.
The Nitro 4 is a reliable daily trainer for all paces and surfaces. It won’t replace the more specialized super trainers in your rotation, but it’s a great choice for tempo runs, easy-paced workouts, and a little longer training runs on roads or light trails. It’s also a solid choice for heavier runners who want a reliable lightweight everyday trainer that doesn’t require compromise.
4. Deviate Nitro Elite Trail
The latest trail super shoe from Puma is light, fast and fun. The two layers of NITROFOAM Elite and carbon fiber PWRPLATE provide serious energy return without feeling overly soft or bulky. The heel is a bit stiff up front but the forefoot feels surprisingly flexible and lively, even on technical trails.
The lugs are a good size for most terrain and the grippy PumaGrip ATR rubber compound sticks well on dry rock and slab. On muddy or wet trails the traction could be better but it is still plenty for most conditions and speeds. Overall, this is a very confident and capable trail racing shoe with a road influence that works better than some of its plated competition on less technical terrain.
This is a great choice for the roadie who wants to run a familiar race day feel on the trails or the seasoned ultra runner who wants a fast, light and fun shoe. It can also handle workouts, tempo runs and short fartleks. The only drawback is the lack of flexibility up front for those with narrow feet but it is still a lot more versatile and fun than the other plated trail shoes. It is a top pick in this category and the most versatile of the new PUMA super trail runners.