Puma Forever Run Nitro Review: A ‘Step-Up’ Shoe to Elevate Your Runs & Save Your Body

If, like me, you’re one of those casual runners but have felt the desire to lean into a bit more of a dedicated running shoe rather than the standard fare, you’d be glad to know that Puma’s new Forever Run Nitro is an entry which is accessible and affordable, yet brings an edge to its offering that gives you a taste of what high-end specialist running shoes offer.

The shoes themselves, launching in a standout orange colourway that’ll keep you visible on the streets, may not look too radical, but feature a lot of interesting tricks to deliver a comfortable run while still pushing you to reach a new PB.

Firstly, the shoes feature a 10mm heel drop, which already gives you a more ‘aggressive’ foot position for your daily or weekly run; helping propel you forward. That said, this is done in a more natural way by using an ergonomically curved toe area and sole, rather than relying on an overly springy carbon plate that some shoes utilise.

The real MVP of the Forever Run Nitro is Puma’s Runguide system, which is designed to help chaperone your foot (if you will) into the correct position and subsequent movements as your foot curves throughout a foot plant. This is done with a fair amount of cushioning on the left and right of each shoe, keeping your foot snuggly in place, while also having a bit of a cradle for your foot, to ensure that your stance and stride are centred.

The result is a much more stable and ‘safe’ feel, where your runs feel a bit more secure and guided, which will in turn help prevent injury, over-pronation, or simply feeling like your feet are moving around in the shoe too much.

In addition to the Runguide system is Puma’s dual-density “super-critical” Nitro foam, which is basically two layers of nitrogen-pumped cushioning to make up the sole. There is a super squishy layer to absorb impact on those crucial pressure points, along with a denser foam to handle the stresses of the surface you’re running on. This sole, in addition to the cushioning, makes for a very comfortable experience.

Puma has also touted the Forever Run Nitro as a shoe to help those struggling with some injury niggles, and coming off an Achilles strain and some patella inflammation, it’s safe to say that the Forever Run Nitro has helped take some pressure off that Achilles. This is thanks to the elevated heel, along with reducing some tibial shock with the cushioning, helping me to keep running but ease the burden on the body.

Puma Forever Run Nitro is the shoe that most runners probably need, but haven’t realised just yet. The guided system for your foot makes a notable difference during runs, where you can focus more on your stride rather than foot placement, and the design features help make them the go-to for those who want to ease some of the strain that running can take on your lower limbs.

The Puma Forever Run Nitro retail for R3,199 and are available from selected retail outlets and Puma’s official website.