6 Best PUMA Running Shoes in 2023

Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen on
6 Best PUMA Running Shoes in 2023
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The cat didn’t come to play. PUMA is lesser known than other brands in the running world, but it sure isn’t lesser when it comes to performance. Whether it’s on the road, trail, daily training, or racing, it’s going great guns. 

And we say this because we’ve examined them ourselves through our independent shoe testing lab. Moreover, we tested them out on our feet and during our runs. We didn't let any facts or features pass by without us noticing and commenting about them. 

As a result, we selected the real greatest running shoes from PUMA in different categories. 

Best PUMA running shoes overall

What makes it the best?

Unbeatable in all fields, the Deviate Nitro 2 is our ultimate pick from PUMA’s arsenal. This do-it-all kick boasts a divine comfy lockdown coupled with a spicy plate, all while oozing an otherworldly traction game standing as the icing on the cake.

What an exhilarating ride! Constantly urging us to clutch up, the full-length plate nestled within the midsole is the star of the show. Following the supershoe formula, it adds a firm and stiff feel to our toe-offs, acting as an insatiable power source. We locked the Deviate 2 by its tip to assess its 90º pliability. Our force gauge measured a vigorous 58.8N resistance, ranking this shoe as 91.5% stiffer than our average data. 

Its foot feel is where the magic truly unfolds. The ethereal midsole preserves the spring-off momentum on top of a lovely and silky-smooth stride. Pushing our durometer against it confirmed the foam’s gentle nature, placing it as 32.5% softer than average. Remarkably, it doesn’t feel all over the place, greatly thanks to a 92.3 mm wide heel platform, 2.4 mm above average, that ensured a stable ride - numbers checked with our caliper.

Another highlight of the Deviate 2 is the Pumagrip, the underfoot rubber that grips the ground with gravitational force. Testing at a near-average 77.0 HC hardness on our durometer, it remains phenomenally sticky for ages.

However, we do not recommend this PUMA as a personal best obliterator. We found its 257 grams (9.1 oz) way too bulky and uninspiring for race day.

Pros

  • Great all-rounder
  • Super-smooth and responsive ride
  • Plush cushioning
  • Comfy upper
  • Grippy outsole
  • Above average durability
  • Fairly priced

Cons

  • Heavier than other similar shoes
  • Not many colors available
Full review of PUMA Deviate Nitro 2

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Men
Women
Any color
Ultra Blue Fire Orchid Puma Black (37680713)
Speed Green Cool Dark Gray (37680716)
Black (37680711)
Blue (37680709)
Orange (37680714)
Puma White Speed Green Cool Dark Gray (37680715)
Black (37680701)
Lime Squeeze/Puma Black (37680705)
More colors

PUMA running shoes with the best stability

What makes it the best?

The Eternity Nitro from PUMA became a true surprise for runners. From the look of it, it's not a very promising trainer, but it changes your mind the moment it's on your feet. It is a well-cushioned stability trainer that doesn't feel like one. Be it a long slow run or a full day of walking, this PUMA shoe has got you covered.

Pros

  • Supports flat feet
  • Secure upper fit
  • Responsive cushioning
  • Great for recovery runs
  • Excellent grip
  • Durable
  • Light for a stability shoe

Cons

  • Not for severe overpronation
  • Lacks breathability
Full review of PUMA Eternity Nitro

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Men
Women
Any color
Castlerock Puma White Lava Blast (19468101)
Evening Sky (19468113)
Grey (19468110)
Blue (19510022)
Black (19468102)

Best versatile PUMA running shoes

What makes it the best?

Great scores all-around implied its reliability, but our workouts proved it. With flawless traction and unwavering stability across all paces, the Velocity Nitro 2 takes the title of best versatility from PUMA.

Noticeable even to the distracted eye, there is an unusual dual-layered foam setup underfoot. Upon landing, our feet would primarily sink into a plush layer, seamlessly transitioning to a supportive firmer base that ensured a safe and sound stride. Delving into the science, our durometer revealed a midsole with a softer 35.5 HA layer over a firmer 43.5 HA one. We gotta say it works! From recovery pace to tempo runs, the Velocity 2 kept on delivering.

Pumagrip proves its mettle once more. With a 68.5 HC score in our durometer, the rubber of the outsole sits as 14.4% softer than average, adhering to the asphalt with the style of a quick F1 tire. The aggressive lug pattern and the 4.9 mm thick outsole seal the deal, effortlessly gripping even light trails.

While an excellent all-rounder, the Velocity Nitro 2 might not be the perpetual daily trainer some seek. Its upper construction feels cheap and untrustworthy, with some pieces easily torn by hand.

Pros

  • Excellent cushioning
  • Perfect all-rounder
  • Great lockdown
  • Stable platform
  • The most versatile running shoe tested!
  • Excellent outsole
  • Improved upper comfort
  • Roomy toebox

Cons

  • Runs a little long
  • Poor durability in the upper
Full review of PUMA Velocity Nitro 2

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Men
Women
Any color
Dark Slate/Nitro Blue (19533705)
Pink (19533712)
Black (19533707)
Black (19533702)
Puma Black Fizzy Lime (16471705)
Light Blue Yellow Black (19533714)
Beige (37729101)
Gul (19533701)
More colors

Best PUMA running shoes for race

What makes it the best?

The Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 has shown us it's not only a good racing shoe, but also a standout for tempo runs. We think that this is a well-thought-out redesign from 1, featuring an enhanced, comfortable upper and substantial PumaGrip rubber on the outsole that gave us excellent traction and durability. Regrettably, we encountered a slight increase in weight as the trade-off.

Pros

  • Amazing durability
  • Plush foam
  • Excellent PumaGrip outsole
  • Better for heel strikers
  • Responsive PWRPLATE carbon plate
  • Accommodates medium-to-wide feet
  • Perfect for tempo runs

Cons

  • Heavier than v1
  • Still lacks race-day vibe
Full review of PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 2

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Men
Women
Any color
Orange (37894301)
Fizzy Lime/Royal Sapphire/Black (37778601)
Fire Orchid/Ultra Blue/White (37778602)
Black/White (37778802)

Best PUMA running shoes for 10K and half-marathon races

What makes it the best?

The Fast-R Nitro Elite is an elite racing shoe from PUMA that takes the original PUMA Nitro Elite's stability and overall performance to new heights. A new addition to the super shoe scene, this shoe offers a quick and agile ride in half to full marathons. One-upping the Nitro Elite, the PUMA Fast-R continues Puma's momentum in the running world.

Pros

  • Responsive during fast runs
  • Smooth ride
  • Insanely light
  • Dampens impact
  • No slips during fast turns
  • Grippy
  • Tongue stays in place
  • Welcomes wide feet
  • Great heel hold
  • Breathable during hot days

Cons

  • Firm during easy days
  • Not for narrow feet
Full review of PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite

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Unisex
Any color
Yellow (37759801)
Black (37689901)
Royal Sapphire/Fizzy Lime (37732001)
Light Mint/White (37780501)
Black/White/Light Mint (37780401)
Blue (37631104)

Best PUMA running shoes for 5K and 10K races

What makes it the best?

The Fast-FWD Nitro Elite from PUMA is a short-distance super shoe that doesn’t only go fast, it looks fast as well. Its performance-oriented lockdown, full-length carbon plate, and very aggressive geometry provide a punchy, propulsive, “falling off a cliff” feeling that’s best for blasting past current 5K PBs and fellow racers.

Pros

  • A fast and efficient ride
  • Well-cushioned
  • Excellent option for 5-10K races
  • Has that spikey feel for tracks
  • Lightweight, airy upper
  • Great lockdown
  • Grippy full-length rubber outsole
  • Won’t topple you over on corners

Cons

  • Expensive for such a specific-use shoe
  • Outsole may wear out quickly
  • Painful for longer distances
Full review of PUMA Fast FWD Nitro Elite

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Men
Women
Any color
Royal Sapphire/Black/Silver (37659107)
White (37780102)

Comparison of the 6 best PUMA running shoes

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Best
CoreScore
Users rating
Experts
Best price
Ranking
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# of colorways

How we test running shoes

We love to go through the nooks and crannies of each PUMA shoe we try and to do so, we keenly and thoroughly carry out the following: 

  • Purchase the PUMA shoes we test with our own money to avoid brand bias and loyalty
  • We run in each shoe for 30-50 miles in various terrain and conditions. 
  • In our lab, we cut each shoe open with our saw, and measure all parts of it with our calipers, durometers, scales, etc. to give you concrete data. We also place these data in comparison with the average values, to make the results more contextual and easier to describe.

Author
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen

Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.