Best Puma Running Shoes Right Now (2025)

From Skeptic to Believer

I have been a runner for my entire adult life. Over the years, I have run in just about every major brand—Nike (obviously), Adidas, Saucony, Asics, New Balance, On, Brooks, and the list goes on. However, I must admit that until recently, I had never run in Puma. The rest of the team here at Believe in the Run has been riding the big cat for the past several years since the brand made an entrance back into running, with a “we’re here to stay” moment when Molly Seidel took bronze in the marathon at the Tokyo Olympics in the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite.

Personally though, Puma never struck me as a serious running shoe. Sure, if I ever got the opportunity to drive for a Formula 1 team or play in the World Cup, Puma would have been top of the list. But running? No.

That all changed this past year.

But it wasn’t a gear review, Instagram influencer, advertisement, or even the wildly successful Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 that changed my mind. The shift happened when I stumbled into an arena full of athletes chasing something very different than a marathon or 10K. Traditional runners close your ears, because yes, I’m talking about HYROX.

I was there on behalf of my wife, an incredible athlete who has qualified for the Boston Marathon while pregnant, won her first all-natural bodybuilding competition, and has generally crushed every race or competition she’s entered. Last year her new objective was to compete in HYROX, a competitive fitness race that combines functional strength exercises with running, structured as a standardized event where athletes complete eight workout stations interspersed with one-kilometer runs.

When we entered the venue in Houston on race day, it became apparent that there was a preferred running shoe in HYROX- the Puma Deviate Nitro 3, HYROX edition. I’m a sucker for branding, so buying a pair of Pumas at that point was a fait accompli. I ended up getting a pair of Deviate Nitro 3. Fast forward, and they are now a staple in my rotation— proof that Puma belongs on the roads and tracks as much as the pitch.

As I mentioned earlier, my friends here at BITR have been running in and reviewing Puma running shoes long before I saw the light, so this list is based on their past half decade of expertise. I’m here to guide you through it, from stability shoes to neutral trainers to the very fastest race day weapons. This roundup pulls together our take on the six best Puma running shoes right now.

Based on Puma’s recent success, you can guess there will be more on the way, so check back often as we update the list with new models that we love.

Terms You Should Know

NITROFOAM – Puma’s nitrogen-infused midsole foam. Lighter and more responsive than standard EVA, it comes in slightly firmer formulations for stability and softer ones for cushion.

NITRO ELITE FOAM – An aliphatic TPU-based superfoam used in Puma’s racing and plated trainers (like the Deviate Nitro Elite and Fast-R). Softer, bouncier, and more resilient than standard Nitro.

PWRPLATE – Puma’s carbon or composite plate, designed to stiffen the midsole for propulsion. Race models use a lighter, more rigid plate; training models use a more flexible version for comfort at daily paces.

PUMAGRIP – The outsole rubber found across Puma’s lineup. Known for its tacky, grippy feel and excellent durability, it performs well on wet roads, gravel, and even light trails.

PUMAGRIP ATR – An all-terrain version of PumaGrip, used on trail shoes like the Deviate Nitro Elite Trail. Comes with shallower lugs (around 3 mm) tuned for dirt paths and road-to-trail use.

PWRTAPE – Lightweight overlays that add structure and support to Puma’s engineered mesh uppers without adding bulk. Helps with midfoot lockdown.

RUNGUIDE SYSTEM – A stability design featured in the ForeverRun Nitro 2. Uses dual-density Nitrofoam and a heel clip to gently guide the foot, replacing traditional posts or rails.

The Best Puma Running Shoes Right Now

The Deviate Nitro 3 is Puma’s best take yet on the plated trainer. It layers Nitro Elite foam directly underfoot for a soft, springy feel, then anchors it with a firmer Nitro base and a carbon composite plate. That setup keeps the shoe comfortable when you’re running easy, but still gives you a clean snap when you turn the pace up. Unlike Puma’s pure racing models, the plate here bends a little more, so it feels less rigid day to day.

The upper is a knit with light overlays, breathable in the forefoot and padded enough around the collar to keep things locked without extra bulk. Fit runs on the long side, though otherwise true to size, with a wide option if you need more room. And the outsole? PumaGrip continues to be one of the best rubbers on the road—sticky on wet pavement, tough enough to last well past the first hundred miles.

At $160, it’s hard not to see the Deviate Nitro 3 as a complete package. It can pull double duty as a trainer and racer, it holds up across different paces, and it’s lighter than you’d expect for what it delivers. If you want a single shoe that can handle workouts, long runs, and even race day, this is Puma’s answer. And if you want a little more style, check out Puma’s collab with Saysky (I got the pink ones)!

If the Deviate Nitro 3 shows Puma’s best take on a plated super-trainer, the Velocity Nitro 4 is where the brand nails the basics—a no-nonsense daily shoe that finally feels dialed in.

After a clunky version 3, this update trims weight, switches to a full-length Nitrofoam midsole, and comes in at just under nine ounces for a men’s sample size. That alone makes it feel far more nimble, but it’s the ride that really seals it—smooth, responsive, and adaptable whether you’re out for easy miles or pushing a steady tempo. It doesn’t lean on a rocker or fancy geometry; it just works, mile after mile.

The upper is simple but well thought out, with engineered mesh for breathability, Pwrtape overlays for a touch of support, and a gusseted tongue that stays in place. The midfoot fit runs narrow, which is a blessing for runners who like a snug wrap but might be tricky for wide feet. As always, the outsole is a highlight: PumaGrip is tacky and durable, giving you confidence on wet roads, gravel stretches, and even light trails.

At $140, the Velocity Nitro 4 stands out as one of the best values on the market and one of the best overall shoes of 2025. It’s not the bounciest or flashiest option out there, and the outsole rubber adds a bit of bottom-heavy feel, but the overall package is light, durable, and versatile enough to be that shoe you keep reaching for. For many runners, this could be the quiet star of Puma’s lineup.

Of course, not every run is about daily miles. When it comes to chasing personal bests on race day, Puma’s boldest entry is the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3.

Puma’s third version of the Fast-R finally feels like more than just a statement piece. The earlier models looked futuristic but never really earned trust on the start line—heavy builds, stiff plates, and athletes who opted out of racing in them. The Fast-R 3 changes that. Puma stripped away the bulk, refined the geometry, and kept just enough of the decoupled heel/forefoot design to maintain the shoe’s character without making it gimmicky. The result is a race shoe that feels light, fast, and, for the first time, truly competitive.

At 6 ounces for a men’s size 9, it’s one of the lightest plated racers around, rivaling the Vaporfly. The updated TPU-based foam is softer but still resilient, paired with a thinner, more flexible carbon plate that runs through the midsole and even extends slightly past the toes for added pop. Step-in comfort is surprisingly good for such a stripped-down racer, and the minimal Ultraweave upper holds the foot securely without weighing anything down. Add PumaGrip outsole coverage, and it grips better than just about any other super shoe when the roads turn slick.

The question is always whether the speed on paper matches the feel on the run. Puma seems to have answered that with both lab data and anecdotal results. Independent testing showed running economy improvements over the Alphafly 3 and Adios Pro Evo 1—a claim few thought possible at this point in the super shoe arms race. Out on the road, the shoe delivers quick turnover, a lively snap off the plate, and enough cushioning to keep workouts fast without beating up the legs. Stability is still a trade-off, especially on turns, and the $300 price tag stings, but Puma may finally have a podium-ready racer in the Fast-R 3.

Sometimes a shoe shows up unannounced and ends up being one of the year’s best surprises. That’s exactly what happened with the MagMax Nitro. With 46 mm of foam under the heel and 38 mm up front, it’s a massive stack of Nitro, but somehow it doesn’t run like a soft, recovery-only cruiser. Instead, the shoe feels bouncy, stable, and versatile enough to handle just about any daily miles.

The engineered mesh upper is comfortable and secure, with a wide base that adds to the sense of stability. Step-in feel is plush, but once you’re moving the Nitro foam proves it has some snap. It squishes underfoot, then springs you forward into the next stride, making the MagMax one of those rare big-stack trainers that’s fun to take out even when you’re not in recovery mode. Add in PumaGrip on the outsole—still one of the best rubbers out there—and you’ve got a shoe that feels as confident as it does cushioned.

The tradeoff is weight. At 11.4 oz for a men’s 10.5 (324 g) and 8.7 oz for a women’s 7.5 (246 g), the MagMax isn’t light, but the ride makes up for it. At $180, it lands in the same conversation as other modern max-cushion models like the Hoka Skyward X, New Balance More v6, or Brooks Glycerin Max, and it easily holds its own. For runners who want a fun, bouncy, and surprisingly versatile high-stack trainer, the MagMax Nitro is one of Puma’s best entries yet.

Every brand needs a reliable stability trainer, and for Puma, that’s the ForeverRun Nitro 2. The updates here aren’t flashy, but they matter. A 2 mm boost in stack height smooths out one of the knocks on version one (a forefoot that felt a little thin) and the result is a more cushioned and balanced ride. The dual-density Nitro setup, with firmer foam wrapping a softer core, works with Puma’s RunGuide system and heel clip to keep your stride centered without feeling forced. It’s stability that nudges, not nags.

The ride itself lands in a sweet spot: firm enough to stay structured, but still springy enough to avoid that “brick underfoot” feel that stability shoes sometimes carry. The 10 mm drop and slight rocker help the shoe move you along with an easy heel-to-toe roll. Up top, a new knit upper softens the fit, with a more forgiving toebox and just the right amount of padding around the collar. Pwrtape overlays add structure without being intrusive, and PumaGrip on the outsole does its usual thing—sticky, reliable, and tough enough for wet spring miles.

The main gripe? Laces that run short, especially if you like a heel-lock loop. But beyond that, this is a stability shoe that feels steady without being boring, and it deserves more attention than it gets. It’s not trying to be a flashy tempo trainer—it’s just a solid, dependable option for the miles when you need a shoe you can trust.

And then there’s the trail. Puma may be new to dirt, but the Deviate Nitro Elite Trail shows they can carry their road know-how into the mountains, too.

Built on a 36/30 mm stack of NitroFoam Elite with a full-length PWRPlate, it delivers the kind of cushioned, springy ride you’d expect from a road racer, but tuned for smoother dirt and light technical terrain. The fit is secure thanks to a sleek UltraWeave upper with PWRTape overlays, while PumaGrip ATR rubber and 3 mm lugs keep traction consistent when you’re moving between trail and pavement.

On foot, the shoe feels light, responsive, and far more stable than its geometry suggests. The plate provides propulsion without being overly harsh, and the foam offers a rare mix of softness and rebound that sets it apart from most trail options. It’s not built for rock-hopping or muddy mountain slogs, but on rolling singletrack or long races over moderate terrain, it feels fast and efficient.

The downsides are more about comfort details than performance. The collar can rub, the forefoot sometimes feels flat, and the shallow lugs limit grip on steeper climbs. But taken as a whole, the Deviate Nitro Elite Trail shows Puma can bring its road racing know-how to dirt with surprising success. For runners chasing speed on runnable trails, it’s a trail shoe that finally puts the big cat in the conversation.

How We Make Our Picks

All of our recommendations come directly from our feet to your screen. We test countless running shoes here at Believe in the Run, and we let our reviews guide our decisions. However, we also consider other reviews and our BITR community, as not every runner has the same experiences. We also aim to stick with shoes that are currently available so you can give our recommendations a try.

Want to learn more about how our review process works? Check out this guide.