The traction of the All-Pro Nitro Elite might not look like much, but it worked fantastically well on court. The shoe features a solid rubber outsole etched with a full-length, modified herringbone traction pattern. Puma’s solid rubber setups haven’t performed great in the past, but this version is grippy and stops on a dime. Also, as a bonus, the solid rubber of the outsole is super durable.

Now, the chances of anyone using a $250 shoe outdoors are slim to none; but if you wanted to, the Puma All-Pro Nitro Elite would fare well. Herringbone offers very reliable multidirectional coverage, and the rubber compound is great. Together, they make for an elite traction setup, no matter what playing surface you decide to use the shoe on.

Cushioning is another standout feature of the Puma All-Pro Nitro Elite. The shoe, as we mentioned, features a drop-in midsole. This midsole is constructed with a dual-density version of Puma’s Nitro foam. The mint green portions are slightly firmer for stability, and the red ones are softer to boost impact protection and compression. Also, as this is a Nitro-infused foam, it should offer better longterm durability than other setups.

As far as cushioning is concerned, this is a top-notch setup. This midsole is very well-balanced and versatile, offering a nice mix of impact protection and responsiveness. But that is not the only trick this drop-in has up its sleeve. It is also built the same way as the drop-in featured in the Puma Stewie 3, which means that the two are perfectly interchangeable. If Puma sticks with this drop-in system, that will be great news for sneaker fans wanting more options for customization.

Despite performing very well on court, the one aspect of the Puma All-Pro Nitro that doesn’t feel like it is worth $250 is the materials. The upper is 100% synthetic and utilizes a mix of synthetic leather and textile panels. The synthetic leather portions are placed on the parts of the shoe that need a bit more structure and containment, and the textile panels are placed on either side of the upper.

These panels are built with Puma’s ULTRAWEAVE technology, which is supposed to reduce weight, boost ventilation, and provide the stretch you need in those portions of the shoe — all without sacrificing lockdown. As far as on-court performance goes, these materials perform very well; but, for $250, one would expect to see some premium details.

Support is another area where the Puma All-Pro Nitro Elite shines. First off, the shoe features a very wide and flat sole equipped with a substantial outrigger, which creates a stable base on court. Then, the drop-in midsole is housed within a capsule-style build. The rubber portions that wrap around the shoe’s upper help to further boost containment.

The rear of the shoe is reinforced with a substantial TPU heel counter, that keeps your heel securely locked in, as long as you get your correct size (more on that later). Torsional rigidity is also spectacular, thanks to the carbon fiber plate built into the drop-in midsole. This plate also adds a good amount of pop as you push off while making your moves on court.

Fit can make or break a performance shoe; and with the Puma All-Pro Nitro Elite, it’s a mixed experience. If you go with your usual size, you may find that the shoe feels slightly long (particularly if you have narrow feet). Wide-footers will find the fit more accommodating, with its roomy toe box and a squared-off shape that offers extra width.

If you have a more typical foot shape or a narrower foot, our suggestion is to go down a half size. A more snug, 1-to-1 fit is better for on-court performance, and going down a half size will achieve this type of fit.

Overall, the Puma All-Pro Nitro Elite excels as a high-performance shoe, delivering remarkable traction, cushioning, and support. Its design prioritizes function, ensuring stability, comfort, and durability on the court. However, the synthetic materials may be a drawback for players expecting a premium touch, and its $250 price tag may be prohibitive for some.

But if we are only talking about on-court performance, the Puma All-Pro Nitro Elite absolutely delivers. And if you are looking for the latest and greatest performance model out there, the Puma All-Pro Nitro Elite should definitely be on your radar. That being said, if you are a more casual hooper, there are many basketball shoes on the market that can provide top-notch performance at a much more reasonable price.