The Puma Velocity Nitro 5 is a standard daily trainer designed to be versatile, durable, and energetic. Priced at $140, it competes with shoes like the Nike Pegasus 42 ($145) and the ASICS Gel-Cumulus ($145). With the recent introduction of the Deviate Pure Nitro, we were also interested to see how the Velocity Nitro 5 would compare. For this iteration, Puma says they tweaked the ATPU foam from the previous version, made the upper more comfort-oriented with generous padding around the heel and tongue, reduced the heel-to-toe drop from 10 mm to 8 mm, and gave the shoe a more robust, less nimble feel. Along with those changes, the weight increased significantly from the v4, and in our men's US size 10.5, it comes in almost 25-30 grams heavier than the v4 and the Pure. The step-in feel is very comfortable, which is not something we would have said about the previous version. The fit is still a little low-volume, but it doesn't feel quite as narrow. It also has a very grippy outsole that should prove to be highly durable. Out on the run, we found the foam to be firmer than the Pure and firmer than we expected. However, the ride is very smooth, pleasant, and comfortable, and it meets our definition of the absence of anything bothersome. There's also a very direct feel under the forefoot, so while it has a more robust feel than the Pure, it also comes across as a lower-stack shoe. The Velocity Nitro 5 has a more traditional, comfortable, and durable feel, while the Pure is softer, lighter, bouncier, and more modern, with a higher-stack ride. It's definitely an either-or situation—you wouldn't want both shoes since they serve the same purpose. They're simply two flavors of the same ice cream. If you're looking for a more traditional daily trainer, the Velocity Nitro 5 is a fantastic value. It combines a really nice foam with a smooth, enjoyable ride that should appeal to a wide range of runners.
