We created the Best Puma Running shoes page to highlight the best options from Puma running’s extensive product line and to help our readers (and anyone who wants to know the best Puma running shoes) find the right choice for their feet.
Formally founded in 1948, Puma manufactured running shoes from the very beginning. The founder of Puma, Rudolf “Rudi” Dassler, is the younger brother of adidas founder, Adolf “Adi” Dassler. Puma was founded when the brothers had a falling out. Today, Puma is one of the industry leaders in running footwear. Puma running shoes are found on the feet of many runners, both novice and professional, whether they’re racing or training.
We update this page often but have reviewed even more Puma running shoes than you see here. You can see all our Puma Reviews on our Puma page.
We put each shoe in the correct category (trail, cushioned, affordable, racing, etc.). Then we highlight what makes the shoe great and any issues it may have. The idea is that you can easily read through this article, understand which of the shoes will work for your feet, and buy the best Puma running shoes for you.
Updated: 11.03.2022
Let’s get into our picks:
Best Neutral Cushioned Puma Running Shoes
Puma Velocity Nitro 2
The Puma Velocity Nitro 2 is Puma’s most popular do-everything model. The Nitro cushioning is plush, especially in the forefoot. Fit and lockdown are solid while the Puma Grip outsole provides outstanding traction on all surfaces and in all conditions. While it doesn’t have a perfect upper, it’s a great shoe for a relatively low price. We’d even say it’s a bargain and that makes it one of the best Puma has to offer. Read full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 10mm, Price $120
Puma Magnify Nitro
The Magnify Nitro is one of our favorite daily runners. At $140, it’s priced right for a high-end cushioned running shoe. It may be a little bulky, but that’s a trade-off that results in a super comfortable upper with a lot of plush foam providing impact protection. Your knees and feet will thank you for putting these shoes on for a run. Read the full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 9mm, Price $140
Best Speedy Puma Running Shoe
Puma Deviate Nitro 2
The Puma Deviate Nitro 2 is a great all-around running shoe, with the only concern being a narrower fit (though we hear there may be a wide version coming soon). The Deviate Nitro 2 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 extremely breathable and very comfortable. The outsole uses Puma Grip, the best rubber outsole compound currently available, so you’ll be 100% confident in the traction no matter the conditions. The Deviate Nitro 2 is one shoe that can do it all, and you can buy it with confidence, knowing you can use it for both training and races. See the full review.
Fits: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $160
Puma Deviate Nitro
The Puma Deviate Nitro features two layers of the brand’s great Nitro foam. Add a full-length composite carbon fiber plate and you have a shoe that is an excellent option if you’re looking for neutral cushioning plus bounce. Puma Grip is also used on the outsole, and we already know what to expect there: world-class traction. The Deviate Nitro is also featured on our Best Long Distance Running Shoes list. If you need to go fast during long runs, this shoe is a perfect fit. Read the full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 8mm, Price $160
Best Woman-Specific Puma Running Shoe
Puma Run XX Nitro
The Puma Run XX Nitro is a women-specific running shoe with a narrow fit, stable ride, excellent traction, and a slightly firm or dense road feel. The fit is the best around the heel and forefoot. PumaGrip is just as good as usual. The Run XX Nitro is also stable with a firm density rim around the heel called RunGuide, which promotes alignment and helps with pronation. Read the full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 8mm, Price $130
Most Affordable Puma Running Shoe
Puma Electrify Nitro
At $110, the Puma Electrify Nitro offers an impressive Puma Grip outsole, a Nitro and Pro Foam midsole, and a lightweight mono mesh upper. Is it perfect? No. Spend $10 more, and you get the improved cushioning of the Velocity Nitro 2. But if you don’t need that, almost every other aspect of the Electrify Nitro works pretty darn well. And on top of everything else, the Electrify Nitro is durable enough to last for plenty of road miles.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 8mm, Price $110
Best Puma Stability Running Shoe
Puma Eternity Nitro
The only true stability shoe in Puma’s running line, the Eternity Nitro utilizes a RunGuide system integrated into the midsole (it’s basically an EVA railing) to keep the foot centered and curtail excess movement. It works well for those who need extra stable shoes and stays out of the way for those that don’t. The Puma Grip outsole is super grippy and durable. And the Nitro foam midsole is bouncy but squishy enough to offer fantastic impact protection. It’s a great option without any obvious drawbacks. Most importantly, you’ll feel secure and supported on your daily runs.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 7mm, Price $120
Best Puma Trail Running Shoe
Puma Voyage Nitro
The Puma Voyage Nitro is, as of right now, Puma’s best trail option. The Puma Grip ATR outsole works well on roads and trails doing what Puma Grip always does, never slipping. The combination of Nitro foam and Pro Foam in the midsole is perfect for bombing trails. It’s stable and bouncy at the same time. The upper’s bootie construction may not work for everyone, but the Optifit adaptive fit system draws the midfoot into the shoe and improves the overall lockdown so that roots and rocks won’t result in a twisted ankle.
If you enjoy running in Puma shoes, the feel of Nitro cushioning, and the tackiness of Puma Grip, the Voyage Nitro is the only trail shoe that will provide the same experience.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 8mm, Price $130
Puma Fast-Trac Nitro
The Puma Fast-Trac Nitro is Puma’s budget trail running option. Sitting at only $110, you get some great value for that price.
First, the Puma Grip ATR outsole, while not as deeply lugged as the Voyage Nitro, still grips everything. You’ll likely want to upgrade to the Voyage Nitro if you’re tackling trails that are glorified mud pits, but otherwise, you won’t have an issue with the outsole. Second, a full-length Nitro drop-in surrounded by ProFoam Lite provides both a stable and cushioned ride. It’s not particularly thick cushioning, but it provides solid impact protection. Third the upper, while not premium, uses a hearty ripstop mesh that can take a beating. And finally, Puma packs in some appreciated extras like a lace garage, a quick lacing system, and a heel gaiter attachment.
The upper fits true to size lengthwise but runs fairly narrow through the midfoot and toe box so wide footers should go up a half size. The Puma Fast-Trac Nitro is a lightweight trail model that has everything you need to trail run or hike on a budget.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $110
Best Puma Marathon Running Shoes
Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite
The Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite is a light, supportive racer with fantastic traction and bouncy forefoot cushioning. It’s a fun, wild-looking shoe that performs well and gets attention. Heavy heel strikers should probably avoid it due to the decoupled midsole construction and denser foam in the heel. The rest of us can enjoy the rocket-like Nitro Elite forefoot foam. Keep your eyes peeled for this release. Read the full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 8mm, Price $250
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite
Puma reentered performance running with a bang two years ago. Their first carbon fiber plated race day shoe is a winner. Super light on foot with great bounce, superior traction, and above-average support, the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite competes with the best racing shoes and costs less. And because of the Puma Grip it’s the ultimate long-distance racing shoe if the weather turns nasty. The Deviate Nitro Elite was an excellent way for Puma to jump back into competitive road racing. Read the full review.
Fit: True to size, Drop: 8mm, Price $200
Best Puma Casual Shoes
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
Puma TRC Blaze
The Puma TRC Blaze is not the casual version of the Puma TRC Blaze Court, the Blaze Court is the basketball version of this shoe. Both are updates to the 1990s classic that introduced trinomic cushioning. This casual sneaker boasts a ton of raw materials on top of a mainly textile upper. The suede used here is decent, and there are additional plastic heel wings that are a bit like the Air Jordan 4. The foam is dual-density to increase comfort. The TRC Blaze is an updated classic perfect for casual wear.
Fit: True to size, Price: $120
Thinking of a shoe we should add to the best Puma running shoes list? Comment below or message us on Instagram or Twitter.
