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Puma ForeverRun Nitro review

10 expert score
10 user's score
As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples. We purchased this pair at Running Warehouse with our own money.
Review written on 11th February by Kristin Lassen Experienced Runner and Stability Shoe Expert
77 other reviews

Puma ForeverRun Nitro Verdict

The PUMA ForeverRun Nitro is a joy to run in: the perfect combination of softness, spring and support in the sole and a comfortable feel, particularly underfoot and around a generously padded heel. This is a top option for daily training, short or long.

The pros

  • Buoyant midsole, smooth transition
  • Breathable, cleanable, comfortable upper
  • Tongue is thin yet dense (at the top) for protection
  • Stability by wide heel, dual heel counter, midsole bevel
  • Superb heel loop to aid entry

The cons

  • Picks up an occasional rock

Where to buy

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

Rating breakdown

Comfort
10
Build quality
8.0
Upper
9.0
Sole unit
10
Landing
10
Transition
10
Toe-off
10
Traction
9.0
Durability
9.0
Value / Price
8.0

Facts / Specs

Brand
Model
ForeverRun Nitro
Type
Weight
9.6 oz (272 g)
MSRP
$150.00

Heel
36 mm.
Toe
26 mm.
Heel drop
10 mm.
Carbon plate
No plate

Size/Fit

Sizing
True to size
Heel fit
Tight
Midfoot fit
Normal
Toebox fit
Tight

Cushioning & ride

Type of cushioning
Balanced/plush
Amount of cushioning
Highly cushioned
Stability
Some stability
Flexibility
Medium

Usage

Racing
Speedwork
Daily training  
Long distance racing
Ultra distance racing

Who should buy the Puma ForeverRun Nitro ?

Runners with cushion to neutral to light stability needs who are ramping up their miles will benefit from the support and cushion in this PUMA. Wear it for a wide range of daily training from speedwork to long run to recovery miles.

Who should not buy the Puma ForeverRun Nitro ?

Skip the ForeverRun Nitro if you want a firm midfoot that resists twisting and bending under pressure—in which case, look at the adidas Boston as the ENERGYRODS hold that midfoot stiff. If you are hard on forefoot uppers this might not be your best shoe as the two thin layers of mesh may not wear well against a persistent big toe.

Puma ForeverRun Nitro Introduction

Picture of PUMA ForeverRun Nitro

PUMA is adidas’ sister company as these shoe powerhouses were founded by two brothers: Adolf Dassler (adidas) and Rudolf Dassler (PUMA) in Germany in the late 1940’s.

PUMA is trying its hand at stability with a new technology: “nitrogen-injected” foam in two densities for the best in cushion but also support and responsiveness. This is a more stable version of their Magnify NITRO max cushion neutral model and their short distance shoe, the Liberate NITRO.

This added nitrogen is new—but not unique! Brooks’ DNA Loft v3 foam also boasts infused nitrogen.

A very similar shoe to the ForeverRun NITRO is, in fact, the Glycerin GTS 20 which sports a similar nitrogen foam.

Both NITRO and Glycerin DNA loft versions offer a smooth transition, stable Guiderails/RunGuides and a pleasant feel underfoot; Glycerin GTS is .6 oz. heavier than ForeverRun NITRO in my women’s size 9.5, which may be explained by the 3 mm. more midsole in Glycerin.

The list price is $150 USD, $10 lower than the similar Brooks Glycerin GTS.

Shoe weighs in at 9.6 oz. US men’s sz 9, 7.9 oz. Women’s sz 8. The quick transition makes this mid-weight shoe feel light on foot.

Another similar shoe is that adidas Adizero SL.

Puma ForeverRun Nitro First Impressions

Picture of PUMA ForeverRun Nitro

Opening the box these shoes looked sleek and well cushioned. “Do pumas have spots?” I asked Google, because the shoe has spot-like patches decorating the upper. Adults do not have spots, but young pumas (also called cougars or mountain lions) can have spots or stripes.

The spotted print is fitting, then, for this young stability shoe cutting its teeth in the market!

Picture of PUMA ForeverRun Nitro

On my first walk around the kitchen I remarked that it felt like “upside-down suction cups” lined the bottom due to the extra buoyant feel from the double-layer midsole. The sensation reminded me of those little two-inch popper toys that spring up when turned inside out!

Runs feel invigorating in this shoe! Heel fit is locked-in and comfortable with no tricks of special tying needed, and the dense material at the top of the tongue protects from pressure from the ties.

Puma ForeverRun Nitro Upper

Picture of PUMA ForeverRun Nitro

Two thin layers of see-through, breathable mesh make up most of the upper, with a “young puma” pattern of thicker “spots.”

Since I have the white colorway and did a number of runs on a trail covered in mulberries, I was pleased to find that it washes off well! The photos in this review were taken after dark splotches from 4 runs in the mulberries had been cleaned off the upper and sole sidewalls!

I clean them soon after the run under running water with a paper towel or washcloth. Water goes right through this upper, which is great for water release when running in the rain, but it holds a little more water than the single layer adidas racing shoes, such as Takumi Sen. The heel padding is more absorbent and takes a little water on.

Picture of PUMA ForeverRun Nitro

A light cap lines the tip of the toebox, and smooth rubbery plastic reinforces the lace holes. The tongue is wide and semi-gusseted, attached to the base of the upper with inch and a half wide bands on both sides; it is made of the same material as the upper and provides a snug midfoot wrap, with two loops to run the laces through for further lock down.

The top of the tongue changes to a coated pad that stays thin yet protects the foot very well where the ties might otherwise bring irritation. Well done, PUMA!

PWRTAPE overlays run all through the upper for reinforcement in addition to the thicker PUMA logo strips that line the lateral side. Making these strips and the logo on the heel more reflective would help with visibility; this shoe does not catch the eye in low light.

Moving to the ankle opening we find the perfect amount of padding for comfort and a healthy heel lock as well as my favorite aspect: the large heel loop! With how helpful this simple piece is, I would expect to find it on more shoes. Adidas can take notes, here, as this loop is far more helpful than the grip piece on the back of their recent Adizero shoes. I appreciate this loop immensely for help slipping the shoe on!

Picture of PUMA ForeverRun Nitro

The heel counter is worth highlighting: an external RUNGUIDE System rubbery-plastic clip reinforces an internal heel counter lining the upper mesh. Inside the shoe the heel cup extends down into the midsole, with the more firm outer midsole functioning as the early heel counter—a smart and functional design!

Last but not least, this shoe’s sockliner is also not typical. It contains a metatarsal pad designed by the Kaiser Clinic of Denmark that increases comfort in this high-pressure area but is not noticeable/obtrusive while running.

Fit is true-to-size with a medium-narrow fit throughout. My forefoot felt just a touch constricted early on but the sidewalls relaxed after a few runs.

Puma ForeverRun Nitro Sole Unit

Picture of PUMA ForeverRun Nitro

Soft and dynamic, the inner, less-dense core of the midsole welcomes the foot while a more firm version of this nitrogen-infused supercritical EVA NITRO foam acts as a lower heel counter and guides the foot forward.

“Supercritical” means that the material has the low viscosity of a gas—molecules move past one another freely—and the high density of a liquid.

Though this is a max-cushioned shoe with a wide base, it is not that heavy due to the lighter weight of this foam.

Since the shoe twists pretty easily and bends with some pressure it falls into the light-stability category and is comfortable for neutral runners as well. A wide base that bevels out increases resistance to sideways motion.

Picture of PUMA ForeverRun Nitro

The outsole is as intriguing to look at as it is grippy with the PumaGrip teardrop and triangle designs in the rubber as grip and cut out of the midsole to offer windows to the soft inner core.

I am partial to the puma cut-out at the base of the heel. My high school mascot was a tiger, and when our cross country team combined with nearby towns we coined ourselves the cheetahs—bring on the cat-like speed and reflexes!

Puma ForeverRun Nitro Conclusions

Picture of PUMA ForeverRun Nitro

This shoe has lots of tech such as the wide, thin-padded, gusseted tongue; a guidance system that starts with a midsole molded around the heel; and dual density hypercritical nitrogen midsole. The base of the shoe gives window to its softer layer, and is covered by protective rubber with grip.

The materials and efficient yet comfortable design make this one of my favorite daily trainers. I recommend it to cross country runners up through half marathoners this fall as I am recommending it to my tenth grader!

This venture into stability for their NITRO line lands solidly in the “light stability” category. Those looking for more structure than a neutral shoe will find it here. Those looking for a traditional stability shoe will find it lacking.

How does the ForeverRun Nitro compare?

Brooks Glycerin GTS 20
Puma ForeverRun Nitro
Adidas Adizero SL
Expert score
9
10
9
User score
Retail price
US$160
US$150
US$120
Shoe type
Weight
10.5 oz
9.6 oz
8.5 oz
Heel Drop
10 mm
10 mm
8 mm
Recommended for
Daily training
Daily training
Racing, speedwork, daily training, long distance racing
Cushioning type
balanced
balanced/plush
balanced
Cushioning amount
Highly cushioned
Highly cushioned
Highly cushioned
Flexibility
medium
medium
medium
Stability
very stable
some stability
some stability
Sizing
true to size
true to size
true to size

Why you can trust us

As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.
We purchased this pair of Puma at Running Warehouse  with our own money.

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our policy.
Lowest price:

$150

Puma ForeverRun Nitro price comparison

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

Reviewed by Kristin

This review was written by Kristin Lassen on 11th February.
Running long for over twenty years, Kristin has found peace and solidarity with like-minded 'soles,' cheetahs of all speeds and walks of life. Kristin holds a bachelor's degree in exercise science and an MA in theology; running is where her dual passions for truth and fitness merge. She teaches college classes and together with her husband raises four children, corn, and soybeans in rural Iowa.

User feedback (2)

  • avatar-comment-1036367
    Sebastien
    6 months ago
    10 score

    Great shoe.
    Not as clunky as one might expect. Like it really well

    • avatar-comment-1036373
      Kristin
      6 months ago

      Excellent! You’re right; it does look like it would be “clunky,” but I love running in it as well. Thank you for sharing your experience!

Lowest price:
$150

Where to buy

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD

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