Puma Fastar Nitro Elite Review: A Ruthlessly Efficient Oddball

Introduction

The Puma Fastar Nitro Elite is one of the most unusual carbon-plated racing shoes on the market, priced at £220 or $250 in the US, though it is not currently listed on the Puma website. It weighs in at 218g (7.7oz) for men in a US size 8, with an 8mm drop.

After an extended test window that spanned pre-marathon build-up, a half marathon, and post-marathon track sessions, our verdict is nuanced: it is a genuinely good shoe that does what it sets out to do, but it may not be the right pick for everyone, and Puma’s own range makes it a tough recommendation at this price.

Design and Construction

The split midsole is the headline feature. It uses two different foams: a firmer EVA in the heel and a softer, bouncier Nitro Elite foam in the forefoot. That combination is designed to improve running stability and efficiency, working alongside a visible power plate that runs through both sections.

The upper is a noticeably thin mono mesh chosen for breathability, reinforced with targeted power tape to add durability and support. The outsole carries a surprisingly thick layer of Puma’s GRIP rubber, which we will come back to later, because it turned out to be one of the shoe’s quiet strengths.

It is a strange-looking shoe, and it essentially takes the trend of ever-bigger midsole cutouts to its logical conclusion by removing much of the heel foam entirely. That creates a very distinct ride, which is not for everyone.

Fit and Sizing

Both testers found the Fastar Nitro Elite true to size with no issues. There is a good amount of room in the toe box and solid hold around the midfoot and heel. One tester noted it feels slightly roomier than the Deviate Nitro Elite, if you have used that Puma shoe.

The slightly stretchy, gusseted-style tongue is a little odd at first, but it pulls into position easily and caused no problems during testing. The thin upper also raised some initial concern about durability, but no issues surfaced across the entire test period, so we would confidently recommend going true to size.

Ride and Performance

This is where the shoe gets interesting. Puma positions it as a marathon racer, but it feels firm and very aggressive, almost like it was built for shorter races. The hard heel exists mainly to push you through foot strike and onto the forefoot, where the softer, nitrogen-infused PEBX foam takes over with a classic super shoe feel.

As a heel striker, one tester described the ride as “ruthlessly efficient”: the big firm heel flings you forward onto the forefoot, and it undeniably works. In a half marathon run as the very first outing, the shoe felt surprisingly propulsive. It does not feel super squishy like some rivals because the heel is so firm, so heel strikers will find it very different from shoes with a softer, more cushioned platform.

The catch is long-haul comfort. That aggressive forward-flipping motion raised concerns about forefoot pain over a full marathon, while anything up to around 15K felt genuinely good. The other tester, a mid-to-forefoot striker, found the firm heel added no benefit at all and occasionally felt strange on the odd heel strike. Initial runs felt awkward, and the shoe warmed to him only over time.

Our overall view: this is better suited to faster, shorter efforts. It shines on the track and in tempo intervals and short-distance racing, ideally in the 10 to 12K range. It is not an easy shoe for general training either, since warming up and jogging around in it before a race does not feel great. It is a race-day tool, not an everyday super shoe.

Grip and Durability

One clear standout is the outsole. During a summer half marathon on dry roads, and in wet, slick conditions on the track, the thick layer of very good rubber compound with broad coverage across the heel and forefoot delivered consistently strong traction. Very few super shoes offer an outsole this good, which is worth bearing in mind heading into the wet winter racing season.

One small annoyance: the fin at the back of the shoe. It prevents the habit of loosening the laces and stepping on the heel to pull the shoe off, which repeatedly caught one tester out. It seems like an odd inclusion on a shoe so focused on saving weight.

Verdict and Alternatives

The Fastar Nitro Elite is a fun, good shoe that works and does what it claims, but it is unlikely to disrupt the market. Within Puma’s own range, the Deviate Nitro Elite is preferred: it is super light, feels natural on the foot, offers a softer feel at the heel, and is cheaper. Swapping from the Fastar to the Deviate mid-session made the Fastar’s thrust feel forced by comparison, while the Deviate moved almost as quickly but more naturally.

The main things the Fastar offers over the Deviate Nitro Elite are a slightly roomier fit and a slightly higher weight, and for many runners that will not justify the price difference. That said, if you are a heel striker who can get past the odd sensation of the firm heel, it is a very efficient racing shoe and will work well.

Credit to Puma for innovating within the 40mm stack limit: the split-foam concept is a genuinely interesting idea, and it will be fascinating to see where this line goes next, including the even more radical Fast Forward with almost no heel or forefoot foam. The Fastar Nitro Elite is a good shoe for a specific purpose; it just may not be your purpose.

Conclusion

The Puma Fastar Nitro Elite is a genuinely interesting and capable racing shoe with an excellent outsole and an undeniably efficient ride for heel strikers up to around half marathon distance. But with questions over marathon comfort, a price of £220 or $250, and a lighter, cheaper alternative sitting in Puma’s own lineup, it is a tough one to recommend over other options unless its very specific ride characteristics match exactly what you need.