Every ATPU Running Shoe Explained
Below we are showing how ATPU foam can be used in marathon racers like the Topo Specter Elite and Puma Fast-R 3, in super trainers like the ASICS Superblast 3 and New Balance SC Rebel v1, in max cushion cruisers like the Tracksmith Eliot Ryder, in low-stack speed shoes like the Puma Fast-FWD Nitro Elite 2, and in daily trainers like the Saucony Triumph 24 and the ASICS Novablast 6.
ATPU has officially gone mainstream, showing up everywhere from marathon racers and super trainers to daily trainers and max cushion cruisers. We broke down the major ATPU categories, including the low-stack speed shoes that prove this foam isn’t just for high-stack rockets.
Marathon Racers
In 2026, ATPU is now challenging PEBA as the go-to super shoe midsole compound. The following marathon race shoes are utilizing ATPU foams, which are delivering some of the best and fastest race shoes currently on the market. Geometry and implementation still does matter though since some of these are definitely more competitive in terms of speed assistance than others.
ASICS Metaspeed Ray
ASICS’ pinnacle race shoe, the Metaspeed Ray, delivers a massive stack of springy ATPU in a featherlight package (just 129 grams in a Men's US Size 9).
ASICS Metaspeed Ray
ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
ASICS most popular racer, the Metaspeed Sky Tokyo, is intended for stride runners. It features a bottom layer of soft, compressive ATPU with a firmer layer of foam on the top.
ASICS Metaspeed Sky Tokyo
ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo
A marathon racer designed for cadence funner, the Metaspeed Edge Tokyo features a scooped, low plate position and a top layer of ATPU.
ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo
Kiprun Kipstorm Elite
Kiprun’s mass-market racer, the Kipstorm Elite, features ATPU foam as the outer layer surrounding a PEBA midsole with a full-length carbon fiber plate.
Kiprun Kipstorm Elite
New Balance SC Elite v6
The SC Elite v6 is a comfortable, “normal-feeling” marathon racer with an approachable ride. New Balance switched from PEBA in the SC Elite v5 to ATPU in this generation.
New Balance SC Elite v6
Topo Specter Elite
A new marathon racer with an aggressive rocker and accommodating toebox, the Specter Elite offers an affordable price point and excellent speed assistance.
Topo Specter Elite
Puma Fast-R 3
The Puma Fast-R 3 is the fastest race shoe on the market. Its ATPU foam combined with a propulsive rocker and a plate that extends beyond the toes is the perfect combination of elements for crazy speed assistance.
Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4
Puma’s racer for the masses, the Deviate Nitro Elite 4 features a lower to the ground ride and a firmer, stable feel.
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4
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Super Trainers
As with other race foams, brands frequently implement ATPU in their super trainers to deliver enhanced energy return, fun and speed assistance.
ASICS Superblast 3
A max cushion super trainer with a top layer of soft ATPU and a bottom EVA blend layer for stability, the Superblast 3 is excellent for high mileage training.
ASICS Superblast 3
ASICS Megablast
A non-plated speed training and long run champ with a full bed of race-caliber foam, the Megablast is faster and firmer than the Superblast 3.
ASICS Megablast
ASICS Sonicblast 2
The Sonicblast 2 is a dual-foam, plated long run shoe that can do a bit of everything. Think of it as a more comfortable Megablast.
ASICS Sonicblast 2
New Balance SC Rebel v1
A soft and snappy plated speed trainer with an ATPU blend midsole, the SC Rebel v1 is New Balance’s Evo SL killer.
New Balance SC Rebel v1
Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo
The Kipstorm Tempo is a dual foam tempo trainer with a top layer of ATPU and an EVA carrier that acts like a plate, stabilizing the ride and increasing durability.
Kiprun Kipstorm Tempo
Max Cushion Cruisers
Brands are implementing ATPU in max cushion dual foam cruisers to help meet modern runners’ expectations of energy return.
Tracksmith Eliot Ryder
The Tracksmith Eliot Ryder features a unique drop-in ATPU midsole, meaning 25mm of soft, premium foam sits directly underfoot. EVA serves as the stabilizing outer foam. The result is a max stack shoe that looks deliberately modest.
Tracksmith Eliot Ryder
Saucony Hurricane 26
A dual-foam stability workhorse with a top layer of Saucony’s IncrediLUX ATPU and a bottom layer of EVA for stability, the Hurricane 26 offers a much more pleasant ride than traditional stability offerings.
Saucony Hurricane 26
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Low Stack Speed Shoes
ATPU isn’t just for high stack marathon racers. It can also be found in a number of stripped-back, lower to the ground, direct speed trainers.
ASICS Magic Speed 5
The Magic Speed 5 is a carbon plated speed training shoe with a top layer of FF Leap race foam. The ride is ultimately muted by its standard EVA bottom layer.
ASICS Magic Speed 5
ASICS Metasleek
A minimalist, traditional race flat with a non-plated FF Turbo2 midsole (the same compound as the Megablast), the Metasleek is designed to make you put in the work.
Puma Fast-FWD Nitro Elite 2
A lightweight, responsive low stack racer that provides more pop and speed assistance than the Metasleek, the Fast-FWD Nitro Elite 2 is excellent for developing speed mechanics.
Puma Fast-FWD Nitro Elite 2
Skechers Aero Razor
The Aero Razor is a firm, peppy daily trainer with a forefoot-only plate and an aggressive rocker. While this features ATPU, it reads as significantly firmer than higher stack shoes with the same technical midsole compound.
Skechers Aero Razor
Daily Trainers
Brands are using ATPU to give everyday shoes the bouncier, more responsive feel that used to be limited to race day.
Topo Specter 3
The training companion to the Specter Elite, the Specter 3 offers a similar geometry and a non-plated stack of bouncy, reliable ATPU.
Topo Specter 3
Puma Velocity Nitro 5
The Velocity Nitro 5 is a low stack, flexible daily trainer with a flat, traditional geometry. The ATPU foam provides additional bounce that elevates the ride compared to other entry-level trainers.
Puma Velocity Nitro 5
Saucony Triumph 24
Saucony upgraded the Triumph from the lackluster PEBA blend of the last generation to a bouncy, versatile new ATPU foam called IncrediLUX in the Triumph 24.
Saucony Triumph 24
ASICS Novablast 6
The Novablast 6 is a do-it-all daily trainer with a trampoline pod of FF Turbo2 ATPU in the forefoot for pop and versatility. The rest of the midsole is FF Blast Max, a comfortable training foam.
ASICS Novablast 6
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