Puma Velocity Nitro 4

The Puma Velocity Nitro 4 is an everyday running shoe designed for speed and versatility. Priced at $140, it competes with models like the Hoka Mach 6 ($140) and New Balance Rebel v5 ($140). While the overall geometry and appearance of the Velocity Nitro 4 aren’t dramatically different from v3, the switch to Puma’s modern, supercritical NITROFOAM—replacing the dual-foam construction in v3—elevates this shoe to the top of its category. Upon step-in, the upper felt slightly problematic: the midfoot and toe box run narrow, and some overlays caused minor discomfort. However, those issues disappeared a few miles into the run. If you’re sensitive to upper fit or have wider feet, this might not be the best shoe for you. On the run, the ride was surprisingly pleasant and fun. It didn’t goad us into picking up the pace the way some competitors do, making it ideal for easy and recovery miles. The foam is bouncy, responsive, and protective. Despite having a lower stack than max-cushion options like the Magnify Nitro 3, it provided plenty of protection, no ground feel, and never felt like it was bottoming out. The Velocity Nitro 4 delivers everything you want in a lower-stack daily trainer: it’s lightweight, flexible, easy to run in, and handles a range of paces well. It pairs nicely with the Puma MagMax and would be a durable, reliable workhorse for runners who prefer a one- or two-shoe rotation and whose longest runs typically stay under 10 miles.