Puma Liberate Nitro 2 review

9 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 07th November by Denny Krahe Running Coach and Podcast Host.
27 other reviews

Puma Liberate Nitro 2 Verdict

The Puma Liberate Nitro 2 is the first Puma running shoe I’ve ever worn, and I’m a fan! It’s the kind of shoe that doesn’t necessarily stand out for any reason, positive or negative. It simply ticks every box for a quality road shoe, which is why this is a shoe that is now entrenched in my regular shoe rotation.

The pros

  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable Upper
  • Responsive Sole Unit

The cons

  • Occasional Tongue Rub

Where to buy

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Rating breakdown

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

Facts / Specs

Brand
Model
Liberate Nitro 2
Weight
6.5 oz (184 g)
MSRP
$120.00

Heel
26 mm.
Toe
18 mm.
Heel drop
8 mm.
Carbon plate
No plate

Size/Fit

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

Cushioning & ride

Type of cushioning
Responsive/balanced
Amount of cushioning
Little cushioning
Stability
Not particularly stable
Flexibility
Medium

Usage

Racing  
Speedwork  
Daily training  
Long distance racing  
Ultra distance racing

Who should buy the Puma Liberate Nitro 2 ?

The Puma Liberate Nitro 2 is ideal for a runner that wants to go fast!

The shoe is lightweight and has a minimal amount of cushion, yet is still quite responsive. Whether you’re wearing the PLN2s for speed work or on race day, you won’t be disappointed.

The shoe also works as a daily training for a runner that is ok with a shoe without a lot of cushioning to it.

Who should not buy the Puma Liberate Nitro 2 ?

The Puma Liberate Nitro 2 isn’t necessarily for everyone. If you prefer a supportive shoe, or a shoe with more than a minimal level of cushioning beneath your feet, you might want to take a pass on the Liberate Nitro 2.

And while I wouldn’t call this shoe exceptionally narrow, if you prefer a wide shoe or one with a foot-shaped toe box, the LN2 is also not for you.

Puma Liberate Nitro 2 Introduction

Picture of PUMA Liberate Nitro 2

The Puma Liberate Nitro 2 is the second iteration of this lightweight road shoe. The major change from the original version of the shoe is that the foam is a bit firmer, which makes this shoe perfect for pushing the pace in a workout or on race day.

The PLN2 reminds me a lot of some of the older versions of Altra’s Escalante. Lightweight, very comfortable, and a shoe that can do just about anything up to, and including, the marathon distance.

Puma Liberate Nitro 2 First Impressions

Picture of PUMA Liberate Nitro 2

My first impression of the Puma Liberate Nitro 2 was a good one. Immediately apparent to me was how lightweight and comfortable this shoe was, in both the upper and the sole.

I did notice the toe box to be a bit more snug than I’d prefer, but not so narrow that I was concerned that this shoe would be an issue.

My first run in the Puma Liberate Nitro 2 did nothing to take away my original positive first impression.

The upper fit like a glove, and I had no issues with the toe box being a bit narrower than I would have found ideal.

The sole struck a nice balance of cushioning while also still allowing my feet to “feel” the ground beneath me.

Puma Liberate Nitro 2 Upper

Picture of PUMA Liberate Nitro 2

The upper of the Puma Liberate Nitro 2 is a seamless mesh that fits almost more like a sock than a shoe. It’s snug, but not tight, and feels like it almost molds to the shape of your foot.

The mesh upper of the PLN2 breathes incredibly well. If you come across any sources of moisture out on a run while wearing these shoes, your feet are going to get wet as a result. But as you’d expect with a breathable shoe, the PLN2 dries out really quickly.

The only issue I had with the upper of this shoe is that the tongue rubbed on my ankle a couple of times. Perhaps I had tied the shoe too tightly once or twice, as most of my runs had no issues. But it was definitely a thing on more than one occasion.

Puma Liberate Nitro 2 Sole Unit

Picture of PUMA Liberate Nitro 2

The sole of the Puma Liberate Nitro 2 isn’t overly complex. The midsole is made up of Puma’s nitrogen-injected foam which is designed to be firm and responsive without being too thick or clunky. The outsole of the PLN2 features Pumagrip, which is a performance rubber compound designed to provide good traction on any road surface.

This midsole/outsole would definitely be classified as a low-cushioned shoe. As such, the PLN2 really has a smooth and responsive ride for the wearer.

Your feet will be protected in this shoe, but you’ll still be able to feel the ground beneath your feet from the first step of your run to your last.

The PLN2 has a 6mm heel-to-toe drop. I typically try to find zero drops, or as close to zero drop as possible, yet I didn’t notice the drop in these shoes at all.

All things considered, the sole unit of the Puma Liberate Nitro 2 is as good as just about any shoe I’ve ever worn.

Puma Liberate Nitro 2 Conclusions

Picture of PUMA Liberate Nitro 2

The Puma Liberate Nitro 2 falls just short of perfection in my book.

Incredibly lightweight and comfortable. Good ground feel. Responsive ride.

For me, that’s quite the trifecta of positive attributes in a great shoe.

If you’re looking for a lightweight road shoe that can do a bit of everything, but really shines for hard workouts and races, the Puma Liberate Nitro 2 is a shoe you should absolutely consider!

How does the Liberate Nitro 2 compare?

Brooks Hyperion Tempo
Puma Liberate Nitro 2
Saucony Kinvara 14
Expert score
9
9
9
User score
Best price
Retail price
US$150
US$120
US$120
Weight
7.2 oz
6.5 oz
7 oz
Heel Drop
8 mm
8 mm
4 mm
Recommended for
Speedwork, daily training, long distance racing
Racing, speedwork, daily training, long distance racing
Racing, speedwork, daily training
Cushioning type
responsive
responsive/balanced
balanced
Cushioning amount
Little cushioning
Little cushioning
Medium cushioning
Flexibility
medium
medium
flexible
Stability
very stable
not particularly stable
very stable
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:

$120

Puma Liberate Nitro 2 price comparison

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD
Sorry - Product not found. Please try RunningWarehouse.Com to check in their assortment.
This page contains affiliate links Read more

Reviewed by Denny

This review was written by Denny Krahe on 07th November.
Denny Krahe is a running coach and a podcast host living in Central Florida. He is working on running a marathon in every state in the US; 5 down, 45 to go!

User feedback (1)

  • avatar-comment-1038915
    Coach TJ
    2 months ago
    10 score

    Love these shoes. They are the perfect recommendation for the current crop of high schoolers going out for the cross-country teams this year. Good luck to all who are trying out. Today is day 1 in here Maryland.

Lowest price:
$120

Where to buy

Best offers today in United States, all prices in USD
Sorry - Product not found. Please try RunningWarehouse.Com to check in their assortment.
This page contains affiliate links Read more

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