Puma’s latest carbon-plated racing shoe, the Puma Quick-R 2 Nitro Elite, could be one of many quickest and sleekest carbon-plated fashions available on the market. Its distinctive, eye-popping design units the Quick-R 2 other than its rivals. Whereas untraditional, the design embodies the concept that to go quick, you generally need to 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 searching for a light-weight, quick and responsive racing shoe for an upcoming spring or summer time street race. I’ve been carrying 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
Accessible: Feb. 22
Midsole
Whereas the uncovered carbon plate could elevate an eyebrow, you don’t need to choose this shoe solely by its look. I discovered the light-weight and snappy building of the Quick-R 2 midsole to assist my working economic system throughout longer exercises. The unconventional look of the uncovered midsole hole integrates into the shoe’s efficiency, significantly 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 could possibly be on the horizon), Puma’s declare of time financial savings with their Nitro foam/PWRPLATE know-how updates is compelling. By testing, Puma discovered that marathoners might shave vital time without work their private bests, with a median 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. In case you sometimes 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 an analogous building and really feel to different carbon-plated fashions. The higher is product of an ultraweave knit, which is a particularly skinny, see-through materials. This not solely provides to its aesthetic enchantment but additionally supplies 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 if in case you have a wider foot.
Outsole
My favorite function of the Quick-R 2 must be the PumaGrip outsole. I’m not kidding once I say that it’s the most effective outsoles on a carbon-plated mannequin on the market. Not solely is it sturdy, (I’ve worn these footwear for 150 km and so they nonetheless feel and look model new), however the grippy rubber handles extraordinarily nicely on moist roads. I’ve by no means felt like I didn’t have sufficient grip whereas carrying them. Most outsoles on carbon-plated fashions aren’t nice since manufacturers are attempting to chop down on the load, in order that they don’t deal with too nicely on moist surfaces, however I promise you’ll by no means have that concern with the Quick-R 2s.
Verdict
For these searching for a responsive and bouncy race day shoe for a half marathon or marathon, the Quick-R 2 Nitro Elite is a wonderful selection. The responsiveness feels such as you’re bouncing off a trampoline with every step, and I discovered that it solely improves with velocity, making it a really perfect mannequin for these trying to push the tempo. Compared to its rivals, the value level of the Quick-R 2’s isn’t too unhealthy, particularly with the improved sturdiness, which ought to get you thru a few racing seasons. The Quick-R Nitro Elite 2 hit working shops throughout Canada on Feb. 22 and its distinctive design, responsive foam and superior traction will make it a compelling possibility for runners trying to smash their private bests this spring.
