Puma FAST-R NITRO ELITE - Full Review - Should this be your next supershoe?

[@babyyoda134]

The price, even at $350 is super expensive when half the midsole is EVA in the heel. Honestly, I think I'd only consider purchasing it if Puma have it on sale for $175 or under. I don't rate the Puma Nitro Elite foam as highly as Nike's ZoomX or Saucony's HG or Asics' FF Turbo, Mizuno Enerzy Lite Plus, Hoka Rocket X2 foam or Adidas Lightstrike Pro foam. Don't get me wrong the foam is good but it falls in with all those 'super critical' type foams (NB Fuelcell, Altra EgoPRO, Skechers Hyperburst) that offer comfort and softness over out and out performance. I think the PEBA/TPEE type foams rule the roost in terms of performance. Regardless, thanks for the review. It's good to see that we have so many race shoe options to choose from at the pointy end of the market nowadays.

[@run-are]

Great comment ☝️ I agree with a whole lot of what you said. I agree the Nitro Elite Foam isn't a ZoomX, what works with this shoe is the 2 part midsole, how you sink and spring out of the foot strike. The Eva heel is surprisingly one of the best features of this shoe. No idea why but it just works. What's your no1 race shoe?

[@babyyoda134]

@@run-are Currently, my #1 is the Vaporfly 3 very closely followed by the Wave Rebellion Pro and Endorphin Elite. What is yours for the marathon, half marathon, 5k?

[@run-are]

@@babyyoda134 I still think the Alphafly 1 is the best marathon shoe and the Vaporfly 1 the best for everything down to 5k. But current releases I will go with: Endorphin Elite - Marathon Mizuno Wave Reb - Half Vaporfly 3 - 10k Fast-R - 5k

[@babyyoda134]

@@run-are Yes, absolutely. Alphafly 1 is a great shoe for sure. Thanks for replying.

[@LuisRamos-qw1gj]

Bought them today. 76,5€, full retail price 260€.

[@i.p2088]

As promised did my VO2 max run today. Shoe super comfortable and the most stable of all the super shoes. However my numbers were a bit worse than in the Metaspeed Sky Plus or Adidas Pro 3. I felt I was doing better but I think the foam Puma uses is very comfortable and protective but does not have enough pop like the Vaporfly V2 or Adidas Pro 3 or Metaspeed Sky plus. Puma Fast R Nitro Elite is so comfortable that I kept them on shopping which I will never do with any other racing shoes.

[@run-are]

That's really interesting! I think the FFBlast Turbo in the Metaspeed is really poppy and great for speed. I can't get the Adidas Pro 3 going at all. For some reason the lightstrike doesn't agree with me 🤔

[@i.p2088]

@@run-are No way for me to go long distance in the Metaspeed because of the narrow heel.. I need to think how I land. In the Puma Fast R it's so natural and stable that it can do any speed and distance. Interesting about the Adidas Pro 3.. I have the best energy return numbers in it. I can absolutely not do an easy run in them. They will shred my Achilles Tendon and low calf muscle. But at Tempo pace I fly.. The extreme rocker really works for me injured all shoes.

[@geoffwheeler6602]

Always thought this to be a strange one, I have the V1 Deviate and Elite and love the Deviate foam more than the Elite which destroyed my ankles 👍

[@i.p2088]

I have it in the same colour. Might get a second pair in white or blue.. I have the Metaspeed Edge plus and Sky plus. Both very good. However the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 is the only shoe that gives me low back pain.. I think the heel is so soft (I feel the Carbon Plate) in the heel when running fast. I am bottoming out the foam in the heel.. No worries of this happening in any other shoe I have EXCEPT ALTRA Revera.

[@i.p2088]

Puma design is very smart in this shoe. You have a bootie but you can do the lock loop with the laces. Can't do it in the Alphafly or New Balance SC Elite V3.

[@i.p2088]

I am a heel striker and slow runner but this is so stable. I went TTS but replaced the insole to a very thin one because I have wide feet. Running feel very natural. I did yesterday a hard long run in the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro so today the Puma Fast R Nitro elite Elite is the exact opposite. My only worry is that you have to avoid gravel because I think you can hit the plate.. 🙄

[@run-are]

Good news they work for you! I think the gravel would be a disaster for the plate also. The heel is really nice, hopefully it holds up for you. Did you get any foot numbing as I did on my first couple of runs?

[@i.p2088]

@@run-are No foot numbing BUT I took out the original insole and put in one of my very thin insole. It created much more room in a toebox as I have wide feet. I started slow and they felt good but very normal.. Then I did 4 minute very hard. The shoes woke up and I was flying. I had to pull back because I was afraid my legs will give up on me.. On Friday I will do a 2 mile time trial to see how they are.. It's very nice to have a shoe that is so easy to run in during warmup and I get up at 0420 in the morning so I really need a gentle warmup.

[@run-are]

@@i.p2088 I look forward to hearing how the time trial goes! Thanks for the comments

[@dominikschrott7412]

One of the few with Australian accent I (non-native english speaker) easily understand with no extra effort ;)

[@i.p2088]

Did my first run in them today. ❤❤❤

[@dipeshsingh1580]

Looking to buy one .... But have heard about its poor durability. Is it true ? Also are they good for hitting a sub 4 mile ?

[@run-are]

I think the durability is fine for a race day shoe remembering it's not intended to be run in everyday. It's not going to be as durable as a daily trainer that's for sure. A sub 4min mile... wow, I am not sure if I can even comment about that as it is far beyond my capability! Are you running sub 4 min miles? 🤯

[@dipeshsingh1580]

@@run-are I'm yet to break a sub 4 mile. My pb 4:08. Currently I'm having a non carbon liberate nitro. There's no forward propulsion, bounce or springy toe off in it. So was looking for a fast shoes in my tight budget. Getting a deal on fast r nitro for 100$, but have heard about its poor durability. Btw thanks for clarifying. Subscribed

[@run-are]

@@dipeshsingh1580 WOW!!! Good luck on breaking that 4min mile. Have you tried the Nike Vaporfly? You may be able to pick up a pair of the 1's or 2's for pretty cheap! Thanks for the sub!

[@dipeshsingh1580]

@@run-are no I haven't tried any carbon shoes yet. vaporflys v2 v1 are out of stock from everywhere in my city. So this fast r nitro elite is the last option left for me. Since you have a positive opinion about them I'm going for it

[@alainmaiquez7475]

My gawd you are fast. I assume you’re in high school? So did this shoe work out for you? Did you break 4 mins with it?