Puma Fast-FWD Nitro Elite 2

The Puma Fast-FWD Nitro Elite 2 is a short-distance race shoe designed for speed. Priced at $200, it competes with shoes like the Nike Streakfly 2 ($180) and the Adidas Takumi Sen 11 ($180). Unlike marathon race shoes on the market, the Nitro Elite 2 is built for faster, interval-type workouts and 5k or 10k races. With only 31mm of foam in the heel and an 8mm drop, it isn't as protective or highly cushioned as a marathon racer, but it also weighs just 138 grams in our men's US size 10.5. The midsole is made from Puma's ATPU NITROFOAM Elite paired with a full-length carbon fiber plate. The fit is true to size, and it feels like stepping into a ballet slipper. While it isn't a comfort-oriented shoe, it also doesn't feel quite as crazy or aggressive as the Streakfly 2. This is the type of shoe you reserve for the workout portion of your run, so we'd recommend warming up in something more comfortable and protective. Once the workout started, the Nitro Elite 2 felt more protective and natural than the Streakfly 2, though not as cushioned as the Takumi Sen 11. It delivered a very direct, snappy, low-to-the-ground ride that made it easy to turn the legs over at faster paces. It isn't bouncy like many marathon racers, but it's incredibly light weight and the aggressive toe-off made it perfect for a 5K workout, and it felt noticeably less punishing than the Streakfly 2. The question for marathoners is whether you really need a dedicated 5K/10K shoe or if your marathon race shoe can do the job just as well.