Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2 Review: Big Cat, Smooth Cat, Stable Cat

Introduction to the Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2

SAM: Sometimes, a shoe comes along that is exactly what you need, exactly when you need it. Throughout my running career, my shins and calves have cried out to me for help many times. Whether or not I have listened remains up for debate, but my body knows when it needs something strong and stable.

Thankfully, due to my position here with Believe in the Run, a stability shoe seems to come into my life to provide protection and guidance when I need it most. I won’t get coy with you, dear reader. The Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2 is that shoe.

What we like about the Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2

SAM: (For the sake of internet algorithms, I will be typing out Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2 a few times in this article. So be prepared to read through that again.)

Billed as the “stability shoe for everyday runners,” the Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2 is a partial update to the original, which was an under-the-radar stability hit.

One of the core updates from the first edition is an increase of 2 mm of stack across the board. Boasting a 38 mm heel and a 28 mm forefoot with a steep 10 mm drop, the Foreverrun Nitro 2 fixes the complaint that the forefoot in the first edition did not have enough cushion. 2 mm can make a world of difference, and I felt while running in this shoe that it had the perfect amount of midsole underneath. What we are looking for in stability shoes is the balanced trifecta between spring, softness, and stability. The added cushion in this shoe puts it right into the center of that Venn diagram.

I adore the stability of this shoe. The Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2 capitalizes on the new trend of using dual-density foams to guide the foot as opposed to large blocky structures to push your foot away from pronation. Puma’s RunGuide technology starts with a heel clip and uses a firmer rim of NitroFoam to surround the softer core to keep your feet moving straight down the midline of your stride. What is so crucial about this, and what my other favorite stability technologies do well, is that it allows your foot to move naturally and keep a slight bit of toe off pronation. The heel clip, paired with the inherent rocker from the 10 mm drop, gives the ForeverRun Nitro 2 a quick, smooth heel-toe transition that balances firm stability with a bouncy ride.

Another positive for the Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2 is the upper. I loved the light lavender colorway I had, and the upper is comfortable without being overbearing. Puma included a new knit upper that has just enough cushion in the heel collar before tapering off to a light toebox. This gives your foot more room to stretch and keeps the fit from feeling as snug as the first iterations. That does not mean the ForeverRun Nitro 2 is without structure. Puma’s PWRTape provides nice support throughout the middle of the shoe. I feel that this prevents hot spots and slippage while you are running, and adds to the overall design of the shoe as well.

Finally, I have to praise the PumaGrip. It is billed as the best outsole in running shoes, and I would tend to agree. I did the majority of my running in this shoe in late winter / early spring and had no issues with wet weather here in Baltimore.

What we don’t like about the Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2

SAM: There is one obvious con I have with this shoe. As mentioned by Thomas and Karl in the video review, the shoelaces are way too short. While I love the structure of the upper and the comfortable heel collar, I had a hard time tying this shoe for the first 50 miles or so. I religiously do a heel loop with my laces, and that was not possible here. Only after the shoelaces stretched out with use did I feel that I got the lockdown I needed. Outside of that, I have nothing to complain about.

Final thoughts on the Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2

SAM: The Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2 has been out for a bit, but once again, I fear that it is being overlooked. I’ve only seen one person other than myself wearing it here in Baltimore, and have not heard a peep about it in any of the groups I run with. No, it is not as fun as the Adidas Evo SL or the Nike Vomero, and that’s ok. The ForeverRun Nitro 2 is solid, dependable, and built to carry you through those tough daily miles.

If you put the stability designation aside and marketed this as a firm, bouncy, and comfortable daily trainer that looks great and has the best outsole rubber on the market, I think it would have a larger audience. Unfortunately, the Foreverrun Nitro 2 has to be lumped in with the negative connotations that still exist about stability, and that leads to it flying under the radar.

I would argue that everything runners look for in most Brooks trainers is done better by this shoe, and I think that it is a great alternative to the increasingly soft daily trainers that are difficult to avoid. Enjoy the miles, everyone.

You can pick up the Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2 for $150 at Puma using the buttons below.