Puma’s latest carbon-plated racing shoe, the Puma Quick-R 2 Nitro Elite, may be one of many quickest and sleekest carbon-plated fashions in the marketplace. Its distinctive, eye-popping design units the Quick-R 2 other than its opponents. Whereas untraditional, the design embodies the concept to go quick, you generally should problem the established order to interrupt obstacles.
I perceive that not each shoe is an ideal match for each runner; nonetheless, the Quick-R 2 Nitro Elite has distinct qualities that make it value contemplating for these looking for a light-weight, quick and responsive racing shoe for an upcoming spring or summer season street race. I’ve been sporting the Quick-R 2 for exercises over the previous few months, and listed here are just a few of my ideas.
Specs:
Sort: Impartial Racing
Weight: 240 g (M9)/ 212 g (W8)
Stack top: 40 mm
Drop: 8 mm
Worth: CAD $349.99
Lifespan: 400-600 km
Obtainable: Feb. 22
Midsole
Whereas the uncovered carbon plate could increase an eyebrow, you don’t need to decide this shoe solely by its look. I discovered the light-weight and snappy development of the Quick-R 2 midsole to assist my operating financial system throughout longer exercises. The unconventional look of the uncovered midsole hole integrates into the shoe’s efficiency, notably at sooner speeds. The carbon PWRPLATE know-how, which extends past the toe to enhance floor contact and propulsion, mixed with Puma’s Nitro Elite foam, delivers outstanding vitality return and maximizes the advantages of the shoe’s 40mm stack top.
Although I haven’t worn it for a marathon but (that may very well be on the horizon), Puma’s declare of time financial savings with their Nitro foam/PWRPLATE know-how updates is compelling. By way of testing, Puma discovered that marathoners may shave vital day without work their private bests, with a mean saving of two minutes and 28 seconds for a 3:30 marathoner and one minute and 23 seconds for a 2:30 marathoner racing on this shoe. Elite Canadian marathoner Rory Linkletter is a testomony to that, lately shaving over two and a half minutes off his marathon PB on the 2024 Sevilla Marathon (2:08:01).
Higher
The higher is comfy, however I need to warn you that I discovered that the shoe ran small. For those who usually put on a males’s 10, I like to recommend going up half a dimension (10.5). By way of match, the shoe is slender, but it surely has the same development and really feel to different carbon-plated fashions. The higher is manufactured from an ultraweave knit, which is an especially skinny, see-through materials. This not solely provides to its aesthetic attraction but in addition gives glorious breathability throughout a tough exercise.
Throughout my preliminary put on, the shoe felt a bit stiff, however I discovered it comfy after just a few wears. This shoe is not going to be just right for you when you have a wider foot.
Outsole
My favorite function of the Quick-R 2 needs to be the PumaGrip outsole. I’m not kidding after I say that it’s among the finest outsoles on a carbon-plated mannequin on the market. Not solely is it sturdy, (I’ve worn these footwear for 150 km they usually nonetheless feel and appear model new), however the grippy rubber handles extraordinarily properly on moist roads. I’ve by no means felt like I didn’t have sufficient grip whereas sporting them. Most outsoles on carbon-plated fashions aren’t nice since manufacturers are attempting to chop down on the burden, in order that they don’t deal with too properly on moist surfaces, however I promise you’ll by no means have that concern with the Quick-R 2s.
Verdict
For these in the hunt for a responsive and bouncy race day shoe for a half marathon or marathon, the Quick-R 2 Nitro Elite is a superb alternative. The responsiveness feels such as you’re bouncing off a trampoline with every step, and I discovered that it solely improves with pace, making it an excellent mannequin for these trying to push the tempo. Compared to its opponents, the value level of the Quick-R 2’s isn’t too dangerous, particularly with the improved sturdiness, which ought to get you thru a few racing seasons. The Quick-R Nitro Elite 2 hit operating shops throughout Canada on Feb. 22 and its distinctive design, responsive foam and superior traction will make it a compelling choice for runners trying to smash their private bests this spring.
