Puma Rise Nitro Performance Review

Puma basketball may have started slowly, especially in the cushion department, but times have changed, and Puma has improved. The Puma MB.01 is LaMelo Ball’s signature model and represents the brand well. Their primary team shoe, the Puma Rise Nitro, isn’t just an ordinary basketball shoe. It’s one that is featured in our Best Puma Basketball Shoes, Best for Shooting Guards, and Best Low Top lists. The more great performance sneakers we get, the better for all of us consumers.

Traction

The outsole pattern is a wave-bone implemented to cater primarily to lateral movements. The bite is hard and will stop on a dime, but you won’t get squeaking sounds out of them if you’re into that. The traction comes up the midsole just a bit for those toe drags on tricky crossovers. However, because of the soft rubber compound used on the outsole, outdoors isn’t the Rise Nitro’s strong suit. Only after a few hours of play outside, there are already prominent bald spots.

Cushion

The cushion was the least impressive part of the Puma Rise Nitro experience. We get a full-length Nitro-infused foam midsole much like the Puma MB.01 Low. If you’ve played in that shoe, you know the drill for the most part. However, these feel denser than that shoe and others with the same technology. There’s not a notable amount of bounce, and when you feel that, it’s primarily due to the ProPlate. The cushion isn’t bad by any means; impact protection was still there, and the Ortholite insole provided good step-in comfort.

Materials

The upper of Puma Rise Nitro is purely a seamless textile. The most prominent feature is the knit shroud that adds another layer to the shoe while also giving you a place to tuck your laces. Inside the shroud is a typical shoe with lots of nylon to ensure you’re laced up nicely. There are also PwrTape overlays for added structure. If you’re expecting breathability, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

Fit

The fit is my favorite aspect of the Puma Rise Nitro. True to size is recommended for almost everyone. Wide-footers shouldn’t have a problem going up half a size, but trying them on in-store is always safest. Containment is excellent in whichever direction you choose to go, thanks in large part to the additional overlays.

Support

Support starts with the fit, and that’s spot on, assuming you get your correct size. Lateral stability was never an issue due to the lateral plastic overlay, foam that comes up the upper, and the broad and stable base. The heel containment isn’t like the Jordan Zion 2 that grabs your Achilles and won’t let go, but with a sturdy heel counter and plenty of collar padding, it isn’t lacking either. The x-bar ProPlate torsional support system works to make the Puma Rise Nitro rigid enough to be supportive.

Overall

The Puma Rise Nitro is one of the best shoes Puma has to offer, and it’s been among my favorite shoes to play in all year. It’s fairly lightweight and has comfortable materials that rest well over your feet. The fit is excellent for most foot shapes, widths, and lengths. The support is great so long as you get the fit right. There’s not much to complain about, other than it not featuring a springy cushioning system like Nike’s Zoom Air. Puma continues to evolve and improve upon its previous releases. We’re excited for what’s to come next.

First Impressions

What’s in the video?

In the video, Chris provides detailed information from all the usual categories, providing the in-depth information you need. He supplies expert-level opinions on the materials, cushioning, traction, support, and fit. Here’s some of what he discusses:

• Beautiful, grippy outsole
• ProPlate torsional and spring plate system
• Nitro-infused foam midsole
• All-textile upper
• Stretchy shroud with PwrTape overlays
• Nylon panels and strands
• Thick Ortholite insoles
• Plastic wings like AJ 4 and KD 15
• Sizing recommendations

As an added bonus, Mrs. Wing and Chris briefly discuss Puma’s basketball shoes and go on a tangent about American football.

Let us know your opinion on the Rise Nitro in the comment section below or on YouTube or Twitter.

How to Buy the Puma Rise Nitro

The Puma Rise Nitro is available for $170 at iD4Shoes on eBay and available for $125 at Puma.

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