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The 9 Best PUMA Running Shoes for Sprints, Marathons, and Everyday Wear

Zoom through your workout with the brand’s best running shoes.

By Yoni Yardeni

Yoni Yardeni

Watch on FN

With unique, proprietary materials in its running shoe offerings — including PWRTAPE reinforcement tech for unwavering dependability or the ever-so-apparent NITROFOAM and Elite Foam that deliver maximum energy return — the brand has surely boosted its prowess in (and on) the field. Although PUMA wasn’t always prominent in the running space, the development of their nitrogen-infused PEBA foam revolutionized their catalog tenfold.

In addition, PUMA has engineered shoes and spikes that propel pro athletes: Olympic runner Molly Seidel took home the bronze medal wearing a pair of Deviate Nitro Elites, which ultimately garnered the silhouette (and material) proper recognition. And who could forget watching Usain Bolt shatter one record after another in Beijing in 2008? He did so wearing a pair of PUMA spikes.

On top of its manufacturing advancements, the brand remains dedicated to crafting shoes for all sports, be it PUMA basketball shoes or soccer shoes. With a collection of running shoes that continues to grow, narrowing down the right option isn’t easy. We’ve compiled a guide to the best PUMA running shoes across several categories.

Top PUMA Running Shoes of 2023

PUMA Deviate NITRO 2 Running Shoes

Size range: Women’s 5.5 to 11; men’s 7 to 13
Colorways: Sunset Glow/Puma Black; PUMA White/Fire Orchid/Icy Blue; Fire Orchid/PUMA Black/Icy Blue
Materials: Mesh upper, NITROFOAM Elite midsole, stability PWRPLATE, PUMAGRIP ATR rubber traction
Special features: Durable outsole that’s suitable for harsh terrain
Best for: Neutral pronators

$160 Buy Now at PUMA

$160 Buy Men’s at PUMA

The PUMA Deviate NITRO 2 sneakers surpass the exemplary cushioning of the award-winning forerunner, most notably in a full-length midsole layer of NITROFOAM Elite foam that positions you for a buoyant ride. A cutting-edge platform design with an engineered carbon PWRPLATE works to stabilize and maximize energy transfer in each stride, while additional ankle padding, increased rubber traction, and lateral PUMA Formstrips maintain the foot’s proper alignment. It’s more than just a running shoe; it’s a do-it-all display of athletic innovation, tailored to empower runners with shoes built for intense activity on any terrain.

What testers say: “These shoes are so comfortable and easy to run in from the start. They barely needed any breaking in. This color is a LOT more vibrant than the online photos show, as a heads up. I love neon sneakers so it worked out!”

Price upon publish date of this article: $160

PUMA Magnify Nitro 2 Running Shoes

Size range: Women’s 6 to 11; men’s 7 to 14
Colorways: Icy Blue-Ultra Blue, Ash Gray-PUMA White-Yellow Burst-Vivid Violet, Fire Orchid-Ultra Blue
Materials: Mesh, NITROFOAM, PUMAGRIP rubber
Special features: Molded heel collar, maximum cushioning
Best for: Neutral pronation

$140 Buy Men’s at Puma

$140 Buy Women’s At Puma

The Magnify Nitro 2 Running Shoes perform as the best neutral running shoes from PUMA’s exemplary lineup. Nitrogen-injected NITROFOAM midsole cushioning and a molded heel collar provide supreme stability and responsiveness, while PUMAGRIP rubber outsoles maintain traction on any terrain. They feature a re-engineered premium knit mesh upper for optimal breathability and support. Plus, they’re equipped to be extra-durable, with double the rubber plates on the heels, so you can rack up the miles on long-distance runs.

Price upon publish date of this article: $140

PUMA ForeverRUN Nitro Running Shoes

Size range: Women’s 5.5 to 11; men’s 7 to 14
Colorways: PUMA Black, Ultra Blue-PUMA Black-PUMA Silver, Fire Orchid-PUMA Black-Ultra Blue, Yellow Burst-PUMA Black-PUMA Silver
Materials: Mesh, NITROFOAM, PUMAGRIP rubber
Special features: RUNGUIDE, PWRTAPE, maximum cushioning
Best for: Overpronators

$150 Buy Men’s AT Puma

$150 Buy Women’s AT Puma

PUMA’s ForeverRUN Nitro Running Shoes offer unparalleled, lightweight support for overpronators and those who deal with common foot conditions. Right off the bat, the sneakers’ high 10 millimeter heel-to-toe drop is ideal for heel strikers or those who need running shoes for plantar fasciitis, as this offloads pressure on the plantar fascia when you engage in intense activity. Teamed with RUNGUIDE high-density guide rails, PWRTAPE upper reinforcements, and an asymmetrical heel counter, PUMA doubles-down on proper foot alignment, stability, and excellent durability. Increased NITROFOAM cushioning adds a boost of bounce to each stride, while frequent runners will enjoy flared rubber outsoles that stick every landing.

Price upon publish date of this article: $150

More PUMA Running Shoes to Shop

PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 2 ‘Marathon Series’ Shoes

Size range: Women’s 5.5 to 11; men’s 7 to 14
Colorways: Black/Silver Yellow Blaze
Materials: Mono-mesh, padded collar
Special features: INNOPLATE carbon plate, NITROFOAM midsole
Best for: Record chasers

$200 Buy men’s at puma

$170 Buy women’s at puma

Designed for intensive, rapid-fire workouts, the Deviate NITRO 2 Eliteputs PUMA’s latest materials and tech to the test. This starts with the brand’s advanced NITROFOAM midsole and makes its way down to the proprietary PumaGRIP rubber outsole to offer a dependable combo of advanced traction and lightweight responsiveness. Both of these elements, on top of the game-changing carbon fiber INNOPLATE, are geared to churn out unmatched performance. This particular pair is part of the ‘Marathon Series,’ which assures all the comfort necessary to deem them one of the market’s best cushioned running shoes and best shoes for flat feet.

Price upon publish date of this article: $200

PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite Running Shoes

Size range: Men’s 7 to 14
Colorways: All Time Red/Ultra Blue; White/Ultra Blue
Materials: Mono-mesh upper, NITRO Elite foam
Special features: Signature carbon plate, immense cushioning
Best for: All types of runners

$260 Buy Now at puma

By combining NITROFOAM and PWRPLATE technology, PUMA delivers a cutting-edge midsole and design overall with the FAST-R NITRO. For comfort’s sake, these PUMA running shoes for men feature a cushioned heel for maximum energy return and a supportive, sock-like fit that adheres to your foot as soon as you step in and stride. The caveat? Well, while they are undoubtedly some of the best running and walking shoes for men, that type of performance comes at a price. But it’s worth it for anyone looking to maximize speed and keep weight at a minimum.

Price upon publish date of this article: $260

PUMA Velocity NITRO 2 Shoes

Size range: Women’s 5.5 to 11; men’s 7 to. 13
Colorways: Fire Orchid/Ultra Blue; Sunset Glow/Sun Stream
Materials: Engineered mesh, NITROFOAM midsole, PumaGRIP outsole
Special features: Reflective accents
Best for: Saving and speeding

$120 Buy women’s at puma

$120 Buy men’s at puma

This lightweight update on the original Velocity features the same NITROFOAM cushioning, promising responsiveness and comfort without holding out on agility. Whether you’re navigating a treadmill or outdoor track, the PumaGRIP rubber outsole delivers consistent multi-surface traction suitable for roads or gyms. The strategically positioned reflective accents also enhance visibility in low-light scenarios, prioritizing safety in case you prefer to run at dawn or dusk.

What testers say: “The Velocity Nitro is a great, can-do running shoe. If you’re not sure which model to settle on, this would be your best bet because of its versatility. The shoe is true to size and comfortable.”

Price upon publish date of this article: $120

PUMA SEASONS Voyage NITRO 3 Women’s Running Shoes

Size range: Women’s 5.5 to 11
Colorways: PUMA Black/Cool Dark Gray/PUMA Silver; Cool Dark/Gray-Koral Ice; Eucalyptus/Alpine Snow/PUMA Black; Alpine Snow/Ultra Blue/Yellow Burst
Materials: 30% recycled mesh upper, NITROFOAM, PUMAGRIP ATR rubber
Special features: PWRADAPT lugs, PWRTAPE reinforcements
Best for: Trail and terrain running, neutral pronators

$140 Buy Now at PUMA

Running in stormy weather and tough terrain calls for excellent winter running shoes. The SEASONS Voyage NITRO 3 Women’s Running Shoes are equipped with superlative traction, from a PUMAGRIP ATR rubber outsole that’s upgraded to all-terrain status, thanks to PWRADAPT lugs that stick every landing and grip the ground. The NITROFOAM cushioning ensures a responsive running experience geared for both long-distance and high-speed runs, akin to previous pairs. With their sleek and lightweight design, these highly durable sneakers offer top-tier performance — come rain or shine.

Price upon publish date of this article: $140

PUMA evoSPEED Tokyo Future Faster Shoes

Size range: Men’s 6 to 12; women’s 7.5 to 14
Colorways: Sun Stream/Sunset Glow
Materials: Carbon fiber and Matryx Micro
Special features: Carbo-fiber plate and single-piece upper
Best for: Track stars

$200 Buy men’s at puma

$200 Buy women’s at puma

Taking inspiration from the precision engineering in Formula 1 cars, the evoSPEED collection’s Tokyo Future FASTER trainers are instead intended for running tracks. Designed to deliver optimized speed at virtually no weight, the high-end running shoes sit atop a full-length carbon fiber plate. The featherweight material also appears in threads throughout the single-piece upper, and features a heel crashpad and eight 7mm spikes for advanced protection.

Price upon publish date of this article: $200

PUMA x CIELE ForeverRun NITRO Shoes

Size range: Women’s 5.5 to 11; men’s 7 to 14
Colorways: Black
Materials: Engineered mesh, PumaGRIP outsole
Special features: PWRTAPE reinforcement, NITRO technology
Best for: Athleisure lovers

$160 Buy men’s at puma

$160 Buy women’s at puma

Ciele Running is one of the scene’s most prominent boutique brands, making this release a must-have for stylish speedsters. After a collab with PUMA over the summer, Ciele has managed to leave their mark on a premier pair of trainers. The joint effort packs the same punches offered in the standard iteration of this shoe, including PUMA’s proprietary density guide rail for maximum stability and alignment and its NITRO cushioning, as the shoe’s name suggests. For bolstered reinforcement, the exclusive pair even features PWRTAPE across the upper for intensive durability.

Price upon publish date of this article: $160

What to Look for in PUMA Running Shoes

Cushioning: PUMA’S NITRO cushioning technology has advanced its running shoe catalog through the years: The nitrogen-infused foam provides a plush feel with high energy return, all in a lightweight package. Cushioning seriously impacts comfort and shock absorption, whether we’re talking about marathon runners or morning joggers. No matter how long you’re running, cushioning helps reduce the risk of injuries and enhances your workout from start to finish, and PUMA has options with light to max cushioning.
Durability: PUMA crafts shoes with innovative materials and in silhouettes that consider inevitable wear and tear of running shoes. Many of these unique textiles can withstand rugged terrain and prolonged workouts, saving you the hassle of swapping them out often.
Fit: The way running shoes fit can significantly impact your performance and overall comfort level — you don’t want your foot being suffocated with every stride you take. PUMA shoes fit true to size, which makes it seamless to find a pair that fit your feet with room for toe splay.
Purpose: PUMA designs several options for various environments and activities, whether its their top-performing track spikes, cushioned sneakers for everyday jogs, or some of the best trail running shoes around. Of course, accounting for any recurring foot concerns or conditions is just as important as finding a shoe that suits your activity. For example, people in need of quality running shoes for plantar fasciitis should consider the PUMA ForeverRUN NITRO, which offers a maximum cushioning level that helps prevent foot pain. Those who deal with cavus foot can benefit from the Velocity NITRO 2, one of the best running shoes for high arches, thanks to its contoured midsole and arch support.

How We Chose the Best PUMA Running Shoes

For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.

To curate this guide for the best Puma running shoes, we selected shoes for a range of price points, foot types and conditions, and levels of performance. We referenced knowledge shared by expert podiatrists, trainers, and coaches for what to look for in the best running shoes from Puma. Additionally, we compared customer reviews in order to determine the most satisfying purchases based on different needs, fits, and functions. We also took note of our own testing experience for recommendations in this guide. Learn more about us here.

Meet the Author

Yoni Yardeni is a Los Angeles-based fashion and culture journalist who has written for publications including HiConsumption and HotNewHipHop. Through prior stints, his work ranged from pop culture-centric articles to curating buyer’s guides on top sneakers and running shoes from esteemed brands like PUMA.