From the feet of the world’s fastest man (Usain Bolt) to the recent ladies Olympic marathon bronze medallist (Molly Seidel), Puma are achieving big things in the running world.
With the boom of super shoes and ever improving footwear technology, running footwear brands across the board are changing the way we see running and you best believe that Puma are not falling behind.
While not all runs can be speedy and PB setting, we all need that high mileage, durable trainer for the longer miles in our shoe ration.
Introducing the Puma Velocity NITRO 2, Puma’s answer to the high mileage game, coming in with many improvements from its predecessor, most noticeably the upper. The new upper on the Velocity NITRO 2 feels a lot more plush and durable then the previous version with a double layer, yet very breathable mesh upper and guested tongue that holds the foot down comfortably. While the upper does hold your foot well with a good lock down, I would recommend going down a half size in this shoe. Typically Puma footwear does run slightly long and if you prefer a more racy feel, going down half a size would prevent the foot from sliding around inside the shoe.
The heel counter locks the heel in nicely and at no point did it feel as if my foot wanted to slide out the shoe, despite the soft feel of the heel foam.
What is NITRO? This revolutionary foam allows one to have a lightweight racy feel in a more supportive high mileage trainer. The Puma NITRO foam is a nitrogen infused foam giving the shoe exceptional lightness while still offering great support for those long days out. When lacing up for the first time one feels that all too familiar race like lightness expected in a super shoe.
Coupled with a layer of standard EVA foam throughout the entire midsole of the shoe, (unlike the previous version where the EVA foam was only in the heel), the duo of NITRO foam and EVA midsole make for a pleasant, responsive ride. With a stack height of 33.5mm in the heel and 23.5mm in the forefoot (10mm drop), the Velocity NITRO 2 has the plushness and support of a higher stack height shoe thanks to the combination of the NITRO and EVA foam in the midsole.
Let’s talk grip.
Puma are renowned for their exceptional grip thanks to their Pumagrip outsoles, a very grippy rubber with triangular lugs that would almost be at home on runnable trails. Seriously, taking corners in this shoes is a breeze and your foot feels firmly in place on the ground when taking on sharper corners. If you are looking for an all round shoe that can take on Comrades as well as your runnable off road routes (most roads in SA), I would definitely recommend the Velocity NITRO 2, I wouldn’t go as far to say it’s a “hybrid” shoe, but the outsole is very durable and can handle quite a beating.
Overall the Velocity NITRO 2 is a great everyday trainer and higher mileage shoe. I would highly recommend adding a pair to your shoe rotation, whether you’re an elite, chasing gold or a mid packer taking on Comrades, this shoe has a place in everyone’s cupboard.