The Puma Fast-R NITRO Elite is built for speed and responsiveness…
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Puma Fast-R NITRO Elite Gym Shoes
BUY IT NOW:
$260 / £230 / puma.com
Pros:
- Thickly cushioned midsole
- Lightweight mono mesh material
Cons:
- Not the most sturdy
- Very expensive
Fit: 4.5/5
Comfort: 4.5/5
Performance: 5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Although the Puma Fast-R NITRO Elite is technically built for running, the fact that it’s fine-tuned for speed, with high responsiveness and a super lightweight feel, means it holds up well in the gym.
Versatility is aided by the quick, bouncy feel of the shoe, which makes it a solid choice for a variety of fast-paced movements – including treadmill and rowing work, or other aerobic exercises.
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According to Puma, this shoe is built with ‘premium performance foam technology’. In short, this shoe is seriously bouncy, with a thick two-part midsole made out of ‘NITRO Elite Foam’ for improved responsiveness. A cushioned heel helps with propulsion, further enhancing your ability to move with speed.
There’s serious cushioning underfoot, too, and this shoe definitely feel durable. However, the upper, made of super-lightweight mono mesh, could feel too thin for some. The sock-like fit and streamlined shape of the shoe adds to its feather-weight design, but other options such as the Reebok Nano X2 are a little more solid and durable.
Related: Best Running Shoes For Smashing Your 5K PB
Overall, the shoe’s lightweight material and huge cushioned midsole is ideal for high-performance cross-training. If you’re after something that genuinely puts a spring in your step, the NITRO Elite offers exactly that. And if you want to catch the eye, it’ll certainly do the job.
We tested out the Fireglow version in a Sunset Glow colour scheme, which has now been replaced by mismatched red and blue shoes. And if you buy a pair of these trainers on the Puma website, they even chuck in a free pair of Fast-R performance running socks.
Words: Fred Garratt-Stanley