Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 2 Review: A Softer, More Forgiving Super Shoe That Held Up Over 100 Miles

Introduction

The Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 2 is a significant update on the first version, and the changes are almost all plus points. After 100 miles of training and racing, it has proven to be one of the softest super shoes available, with a fit that ranks among the best Puma has produced. A 2-minute course personal best in a recent race says a lot about how fast it feels underfoot.

The quick stats: around 273g in a UK size 11 (US 12), a 43mm heel stack with roughly 30-35mm in the forefoot for an 8mm drop, and a very soft foam that measures around 25 on the shore durometer scale, comfortably below the average of 28. The foam appears to be PEBA-based judging by the return you get when compressing it, and the rubber outsole is on the softer side at around 50.

Who This Product Is For

This is not a 5K or 10K weapon like its predecessor. The soft, compressive ride pushes it firmly toward half and full marathon duty, and heel strikers in particular will enjoy the unusually stable, deeply cushioned rear section that soaks up impact well. The plate and geometry quickly roll you up onto the forefoot, creating a strange but effective combination of fast cadence and forgiveness that lets you stretch out your stride.

Stride-based runners who extend their stride to speed up will get more from this shoe than runners who rely purely on raising their cadence. Heavier runners may bottom out the soft foam a little quicker, and for those runners the original version could still be the better choice.

Main Strengths

The upper is one of the best-fitting Puma shoes yet: glove-like, conforming, and very breathable thanks to a super thin mesh that has shown no degradation over 100 miles. Lockdown is handled mostly by the upper itself, with the lacing acting as icing on the cake. There is no heel slip, no rubbing, and no lace pressure over the top of the foot. The dual pull tabs are effectively mandatory, though, because the upper hugs the foot so tightly you need them to shoehorn yourself in. The external heel counter works well, although the small fin on it can catch you occasionally.

The midsole is where this shoe earns its keep. It is one of the softest super shoes tested here, more nuanced than the soft New Balance FuelCell TC of 2020, and it urges you to run faster. A thick 4.5mm insole, seemingly made from similar Nitro Elite material, amplifies the squashy feel and further removes any short-race sharpness. Durability has been excellent: no significant foam creasing after 100 miles, no tears, and the foam returns to form quickly. The decoupled midsole design feels surprisingly normal on foot.

The outsole rubber is softer and stickier than previous Puma grip, which seems a deliberate choice to bond with the very soft foam. Traction is excellent, with ridges and channels in the forefoot providing great grip on cornering, and durability has been strong: no wear in the forefoot, only a tiny bit of wear on the lateral heel, and no damage to the exposed carbon plate even after hitting a couple of rocks. Compared with shoes that need to be babied and kept clean, this one has been hammered through training and racing and held up remarkably well.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The ride is deliberately soft and squashy, so if you want a snappy, responsive shoe for faster shorter efforts, this may not be the right pick. The high, cushioned feel also pulls it away from 5K and 10K racing. At around the same price as the Nike Vaporfly 3, though cheaper than some offerings from On and the Alphafly 3, it is a serious investment, and a slightly lower price closer to the Deviate Nitro Elite 2 would make it an easier pickup. The heel fin on the external counter could also be trimmed without much loss.

Buying Advice

If you are buying a shoe for your marathon or half marathon and want a forgiving, exciting ride with superb fit and proven durability, the Fast-R Nitro Elite 2 deserves a spot on your shortlist. It is less versatile than some other super shoes right now, but for long racing it is genuinely fun, exhilarating, and fast. Pair it with socks that allow your toes to spread for the best fit, and budget for the pull tabs being part of your routine.

Conclusion

After 100 miles, the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 2 scores 11.3 out of 12 overall, with an upper and midsole each earning 2.9 out of 3, the outsole 2.8, and value 2.7. It is a well-put-together, durable, and forgiving marathon super shoe with few real weaknesses, and one of Puma’s best performance shoes to date.