SHOE REVIEW: Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 2

Puma’s newest carbon-plated racing shoe, the Puma Fast-R 2 Nitro Elite, might be one of the fastest and sleekest carbon-plated models on the market. Its unique, eye-popping design sets the Fast-R 2 apart from its competitors. While untraditional, the design embodies the idea that to go fast, you sometimes have to challenge the status quo to break barriers.

I understand that not every shoe is a perfect match for every runner; however, the Fast-R 2 Nitro Elite has distinct qualities that make it worth considering for those seeking a lightweight, fast and responsive racing shoe for an upcoming spring or summer road race. I’ve been wearing the Fast-R 2 for workouts over the past few months, and here are a few of my thoughts.

Specs:

Type: Neutral Racing
Weight: 240 g (M9)/ 212 g (W8)
Stack height: 40 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Price: CAD $349.99
Lifespan: 400-600 km
Available: Feb. 22

Midsole

While the exposed carbon plate may raise an eyebrow, you don’t want to judge this shoe solely by its look. I found the lightweight and snappy construction of the Fast-R 2 midsole to help my running economy during longer workouts. The unconventional appearance of the exposed midsole gap integrates into the shoe’s performance, particularly at faster speeds. The carbon PWRPLATE technology, which extends beyond the toe to improve surface contact and propulsion, combined with Puma’s Nitro Elite foam, delivers remarkable energy return and maximizes the benefits of the shoe’s 40mm stack height.

Though I haven’t worn it for a marathon yet (that could be on the horizon), Puma’s claim of time savings with their Nitro foam/PWRPLATE technology updates is compelling. Through testing, Puma found that marathoners could shave significant time off their personal bests, with an average saving of two minutes and 28 seconds for a 3:30 marathoner and one minute and 23 seconds for a 2:30 marathoner racing in this shoe. Elite Canadian marathoner Rory Linkletter is a testament to that, recently shaving over two and a half minutes off his marathon PB at the 2024 Sevilla Marathon (2:08:01).

Upper

The upper is comfortable, but I must warn you that I found that the shoe ran small. If you typically wear a men’s 10, I recommend going up half a size (10.5). In terms of fit, the shoe is narrow, but it has a similar construction and feel to other carbon-plated models. The upper is made of an ultraweave knit, which is an extremely thin, see-through material. This not only adds to its aesthetic appeal but also provides excellent breathability during a hard workout.

During my initial wear, the shoe felt a bit stiff, but I found it comfortable after a few wears. This shoe will not work for you if you have a wider foot. 

Outsole

My favourite feature of the Fast-R 2 has to be the PumaGrip outsole. I am not kidding when I say that it’s one of the best outsoles on a carbon-plated model out there. Not only is it durable, (I’ve worn these shoes for 150 km and they still look and feel brand new), but the grippy rubber handles extremely well on wet roads. I’ve never felt like I did not have enough grip while wearing them. Most outsoles on carbon-plated models aren’t great since brands are trying to cut down on the weight, so they don’t handle too well on wet surfaces, but I promise you’ll never have that concern with the Fast-R 2s.

Verdict

For those in search of a responsive and bouncy race day shoe for a half marathon or marathon, the Fast-R 2 Nitro Elite is an excellent choice. The responsiveness feels like you’re bouncing off a trampoline with each step, and I found that it only improves with speed, making it an ideal model for those looking to push the pace. In comparison to its competitors, the price point of the Fast-R 2’s isn’t too bad, especially with the enhanced durability, which should get you through a couple of racing seasons.  The Fast-R Nitro Elite 2 hit running stores across Canada on Feb. 22 and its unique design, responsive foam and superior traction will make it a compelling option for runners looking to smash their personal bests this spring.