Best Puma Running Shoes

Puma Velocity Nitro 4

The Puma Velocity NITRO 4 is a versatile, responsive daily trainer that provides comfort and durability that make it easily worth the $140 price.

Among its many Pros are: its versatility for all types of runs; a comfortable, peppy NITROFOAM midsole; an elite PUMAGRIP outsole; nice breathability; and an upper that conforms to the foot. The Cons are: a pointy toebox in general and a fit that isn’t wide-foot friendly (though is true-to-size in length). We’re hoping Puma adds a wide option in future so those who need more room don’t have to miss out on this stellar performer. While it doesn’t feature a super high stack by today’s standards, the Velocity NITRO 4 is in a sweet spot that can handle a voluminous and varied workload of anything from easy and recovery miles, to some speedwork, to even long runs. Its versatility not only secures its value proposition at $140, it even allows it to compete well with many shoes priced in the $150 to $160 range.

It’s not a great option for our wide-footed friends, but everyone else will be able to enjoy this cool-looking, high-performing daily running shoe. For more details on the Puma Velocity NITRO 4, read the full review.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 10mm, Price $140

Puma MagMax Nitro

The Puma MagMax Nitro is a fantastic running shoe and is ready to compete with all the other super trainers on the market. For us, it’s one of, if not our favorite long run shoe. It’s also getting worn when our legs need to be babied the day after a hard workout. It’s protective with plenty of cushion but also makes our stride feel fairly effortless with a nice bounce on toe off. The Puma MagMax Nitro is a powerhouse running shoe. Read the full review. 

Fit: True to size, Drop: 8mm, Price $180

Puma Deviate Nitro 3

The Puma Deviate Nitro 3 is a great all-around running shoe, with the only concern being a narrower fit (though there is a wide version on the Puma website). The Deviate Nitro 3 doesn’t feel great in terms of the initial step-in squish but feels amazing the more you run, and the faster you run. It’s a smooth ride with a cushion/plate combo that feels great during workouts and helps the legs recover quicker.

The upper is breathable and very comfortable. The outsole uses Pumagrip, the best rubber outsole compound currently available, so you’ll get 100% confidence in the traction no matter the conditions. The Deviate Nitro 3 is one shoe that can do it all and delivers value at the $160 price point because it can soak up daily miles and go uptempo with great results whenever needed.

Fits: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $160

Puma ForeverRUN NITRO 2

The Puma ForeverRun NITRO 2 is a top pick for stability and comfort over a lot of daily miles. Pros included: great value at the $150 price point, a Runguide system that provides unobtrusive but reliable support, utterly elite PUMAGRIP traction and durability, dual-density NITRO cushioning that beats the experience of typical stability-shoe midsoles (once broken-in), and an upper and gusseted tongue that are mindfully-padded and mold to your foot.

The major Cons came down purely to the fit being extremely unaccommodating to wide-footers and the volume being quite low for those with high insteps. The main impact of that was not only a too-restrictive fit for some, but it also detracted from the experience of the midsole. So if you are a wide-footer, you’d probably do best to steer clear. But average-to-narrow-footers with lower insteps looking for stability in a package that outclasses the competition should look no further than the Puma ForeverRun NITRO 2.

For more details, read the full review.

Fit: True-to-size, Drop: 10mm, Price $150

Puma Deviate NITRO Elite Trail

The Puma Deviate NITRO Elite Trail is a speedy and confidence-inspiring trail super shoe. While we believe the shoe pulls inspiration from Puma’s vast experience on the road, this trail shoe more than holds its own for a brand who has seemingly only dipped a toe in the proverbial trail pond.

While it does have a few Cons, namely having an outsole lug pattern that’s not ideal for uphill climbs over steeper, looser terrain and an annoyingly long name (okay, that last one might not quite be fair), its performance still far exceeded expectations. Pros, like a light and responsive NITROFOAM ELITE midsole, a comfortable and pliable upper, and smooth road/gravel transitions were more than enough to impress us. The fit is true-to-size and should allow those with a wider forefoot to get along comfortably; however, if you’re wider through the midfoot, it may be a little snug.

The Puma Deviate NITRO Elite Trail offers top-end performance yet is priced towards the low-to-mid end of super shoes, absolutely earning its $230 price tag. Use the Puma Deviate NITRO Elite Trail whenever you know you’re headed out on runnable and cruiser terrain (light trails) and you want to up the pace. This is a great shoe for high turnover and high cadence. When you let yourself open up your stride, the Puma Deviate NITRO Elite Trail will have you feeling like a feline with a light and quick step. Kudos to Puma for putting out a banger and cementing its spot in the trail space! For more details, read the full review.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 6mm, Price: $230

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3

The Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 is huge step forward for Puma’s racing line. It’s $20 less than most race days shoes that sit at $250 but performs just as well. It’s much lighter than the previous version dropping over 2 ounces, the bounce is upgraded, and Pumagrip, as always, is reliable in all conditions. The Ultraweave upper is breathable but very strong and helps keep the foot on the footbed while ripping around corners. And while it’s not the most stable marathon shoe, it’s now a great option for race day due to the weight savings and increased pop from the Nitro Elite and PWRPLATE combo.

If you want a soft, bouncy, fun, and dependable long distance racing shoe that’s not in the $250+ price bracket you won’t be able to do better than the Deviate Nitro Elite 3.

Fit: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $230

Puma Fast-R 3

The Puma Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 is a leap forward for Puma’s marathon racing shoes, and an independent study shows it provides an astonishing 3.15% improvement in running economy. Those legitimate study results that back up its marketing claims, a midsole with a smooth rocker and elite bounce, a minimal but comfortable upper, and the potential to work well for various footstrikes (despite its midsole cutouts) are among the Fast-R 3’s impressive and numerous Pros.

Its Cons include an annoying, paper-thin, foldy tongue that is difficult to set in place (though it then stays put on the run), questionable outsole durability that’s uncharacteristic of typical Puma shoes (though the incredible grip remains), and a high price point. Length is true-to-size, but we’d caution that wide-footers should definitely try on the Fast-R 3 in-store (or purchase from somewhere with a good return policy) due to the definitively snug fit throughout.

The efficiency the Fast-R 3 offers is undeniable, and it’s best used for road races from the 5K to the marathon along with the workouts – like intervals, tempo, and threshold runs – that come with training for those races. It may not be the road racing shoe for everyone, but the Fast-R 3 sits firmly in the top tier of racing shoes and should be in the consideration set of any runner who’s looking for every little edge to climb the mountain to their next PR. For more details, read the full review.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 8mm, Price $300

Puma Magnify Nitro 3

The Puma Magnify Nitro 3 is a super soft daily trainer whose full PEBA midsole delivers an ultra-plush ride that hearkens back to the original Nike Invincible. The soft NITROFOAM (now with 100% more PEBA) is ultra protective and the engineered mesh upper is comfortable and form-fitting around the entire foot. This is a shoe that can soak up miles comfortably but doesn’t provide any energy return so picking the pace is a chore. It’s better when the objective is low effort, slow pace cruising. Thanks to the stellar PUMAGRIP underfoot, it’ll do the job on any surface in any weather condition and the $160 price point is normal in the high cushion daily trainer category. However, wide footers will probably need to skip this one due to a narrower midfoot and toebox.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 10mm, Price $160

Puma Velocity Nitro 3

The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is the best Velocity Nitro yet. The upper is improved and much more locked in than version 2 but still not wide footer friendly. The bounce from the Puma Nitro midsole feels great underfoot and can handle a lot of miles. The PumaGrip outsole is, as always, elite. The Velocity Nitro 3 provides great value and is a great shoe to recommend to friends and family that come to you for running shoe advice.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 10mm, Price $135

Puma Suede Classic

The Puma Suede Classic is what its name indicates: a classic. It’s one of the most recognizable sneakers on the market. Look around, and you’ll likely see someone wearing them. Like most popular casual shoes today, this shoe began life as a basketball shoe and eventually evolved into a lifestyle model. By today’s standard, the cushioning isn’t very good, but adding Move insoles can help with that. The upper’s lux suede comes in a ton of different colors, and the rubber cup sole is durable. This shoe is always in style.

Fit: True to size, Price: $70

Puma RS-X

The Puma RS-X is a modern take on Puma lifestyle sneakers. It has all the elements of a modern casual shoe that you’d expect, plus a few raw materials to give it some more layers and depth. The upper is mainly a breathable mesh, and there are a few pieces of leather or various other materials placed as overlays. It’s a comfortable sneaker that embraces today’s trend of chunky midsoles. See the full review.

Fit: Go up a half size, Price: $110