Puma Nitro Running Shoes 2023: Six Models Explained, From Daily Trainers to Race Day

Introduction

Puma has been building its running lineup seriously for a couple of years now, and the 2023 collection is the most complete one yet. The range now covers stability, max cushion, lightweight flexibility, a women’s specific trainer, and two very different race day weapons. This guide walks through each model, what it is built for, and who should actually buy it.

Puma ForeverRun Nitro: The Stability Addition

The ForeverRun Nitro is Puma’s new stability-leaning daily trainer at $150 in the U.S. It uses a two-piece Nitro midsole: a firmer rim with a softer Nitro core visible in the signature blue. The support story continues through the Run Guide System, including power tape wrapping through the upper, supportive engineered mesh, and a more structured heel cup and counter with aggressive wrap-ups and a rocker shape.

A notable detail is the collaboration with a running specialist retailer out of Denmark to design a more orthotic-style footbed, offering extra heel wrap and arch support. The stack sits at 26.36mm, giving good cushion while still letting you sit down into the shoe. It works for neutral runners too, but it is clearly aimed at anyone who wants extra guidance in a daily trainer.

Puma Deviate Nitro 2: Max Cushion Without the Plate

The Deviate Nitro 2 is the update many runners were waiting for. The original had a Nitro layer on top and an EVA layer underneath; this version gets the thickest one-piece Nitro midsole Puma could produce with its Asian suppliers. The result is soft, smooth, and flexible, paired with an engineered knit upper for fit and comfort.

At $150, Puma positions it as “the Deviate without a plate.” It is not the super shoe with a carbon plate, and that is the point: this is a max cushion daily trainer for runners who want the plush, smooth ride without race-day hardware.

Puma Liberate Nitro 2: Lightweight and Flexible

The Liberate Nitro 2 keeps things simple at $130. The midsole is a touch firmer than the first version, moving from about 43C to 47C, and two millimeters of cushioning were added to the forefoot. It remains a lightweight, fun, flexible shoe with Puma Grip outsole rubber that the brand’s fans consistently praise, plus an engineered mesh upper.

This is the shoe for runners who want more ground feel and want to strengthen their feet. If you spend a lot of time in plated shoes, a flexible trainer like this can balance things out, and it shines for light, short mileage days.

Puma Velocity Nitro 2: The Women’s Specific Option

The Velocity Nitro 2 is Puma’s women’s specific road shoe, and it stays in the line at $130 with a focused refresh. The tooling stays the same, but the upper is new: a bit more stretchy and a bit more flexible, with updated design elements.

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2: The Race Day Flagship

The Deviate Nitro Elite 2 is the update to the shoe that won a bronze medal for Puma’s elite marathoners. The updates are technical and focused on the ride. The upper gets a small last change with a straighter big toe for a more powerful toe-off, and the upper material combines mechanical stretch with material stretch for better fit.

The plate shape changed meaningfully too. It is now a little more asymmetrical for a smoother ride, and the toe-off was made straighter and more square to counter the supination some athletes showed in the first version. The result is a more powerful, straighter propulsion feel.

Puma Fast Forward Nitro Elite: The 5K and 10K Specialist

The Fast Forward Nitro Elite is Puma’s new race day shoe, built for one purpose: fast 5K and 10K racing. It has a dramatically undercut heel and forefoot, Nitro Elite foam on the inside, and a full-length power plate. At about 197 grams (6.3 ounces), it is super light, snappy, and fast. It launched at $250 in very limited distribution, so expect to see it mainly on elite athletes.

The design had two goals: make the plate as full as possible and close to the ground for maximum power, and use an extreme bending curve to take pressure off the rear chain, the Achilles, and the calf. Cutouts in the stack help you land centered. This is not a high mileage or daily trainer shoe. It is for runners chasing a 5K or 10K PR, and the geometry rewards good form, guiding you into the middle of the shoe and toeing you off powerfully.

Buying Advice

Pick based on what you actually need. If you want guidance and support in a daily trainer, the ForeverRun Nitro is the clear choice. For plush, plate-free max cushion, the Deviate Nitro 2 is the smoothest ride of the group. The Liberate Nitro 2 suits short mileage days and foot strengthening, while the Velocity Nitro 2 offers a women’s specific fit at the same approachable price. On race day, the Deviate Nitro Elite 2 is the proven marathon option, and the Fast Forward Nitro Elite is the specialist for short, fast road races if you can find it.

Conclusion

Puma’s 2023 lineup finally covers the full spectrum of runners, from stability seekers to PR chasers. Match the shoe to your training load and race goals, and there is a Nitro model that fits.