DIGITAL ISSUE
Tried & tested: PUMA Velocity NITRO 4
Looking for a running shoe that can keep pace with your workouts? The PUMA Velocity Nitro 4 might just be your new go-to. Lighter, faster and sleeker than ever, we put PUMA’s most versatile running shoe to the test
IF THERE’S ONE thing we on the Men’s Health team have learned as runners, it’s that versatility is king. Some shoes are built for blistering race days, others for long, easy kilometres. Few are capable of doing both. This means that when a shoe comes along that feels just as at home jogging around the block as it does chasing down a PB, we take notice. The PUMA Velocity NITRO™ 4 is one such shoe.
Now in its fourth iteration, the Velocity silhouette has quietly carved out a space in the hyper-competitive daily trainer market. And with the latest update, PUMA has delivered some major upgrades. The result is a shoe that promises to be light but cushioned, responsive but supportive, and suitable for everything from daily jogs to fast-paced efforts.
That’s precisely what you should want from your daily trainer. Leave the one-dimensional shoes for race day. Daily training is about versatility. You want something that can help you slog out those long, easy-paced runs but is also capable of picking up the pace for tempo work and intervals.
To see if the PUMA Velocity NITRO™ 4 can fill that spot in your shoe rotation, we’ve put it to the test.
The look
Let’s face it, running shoes aren’t just about performance anymore. If you’re spending a lot of time in them, they’ve got to look good, too. Thankfully, PUMA nails the aesthetic here.
The Velocity NITRO™ 4 is sleeker and more streamlined than its predecessor, with a thinner, minimalist mesh upper that feels more modern. Subtle PWRTAPE reinforcements give it some underlying strength, while the colourways (PUMA’s been killing it lately in this department) strike a balance between sporty and stylish. It’s a shoe you won’t hesitate to wear straight to the café after your morning 5K.
Our review pair came in a primarily grey colourway, with flashes of electric green and blue and a white midsole. It doesn’t scream ‘look at me! I’m a runner and I want you to know it!’ but it doesn’t blend into the crowd, that’s for sure. That’s exactly how we like our running shoes.
The specs
On paper, the Velocity NITRO™ 4 looks like a serious upgrade from its predecessor. For starters, the weight drops to just 250 grams – 14 grams lighter than the Velocity 3 and undercutting big-name competitors like the Nike Pegasus 41, ASICS Gel-Cumulus 26 and Brooks Ghost 16. That reduced weight makes a difference on the run, translating to a noticeably more nimble feel underfoot. The 10mm heel-to-toe drop remains unchanged, offering a platform that should feel natural for most runners.
The real story, though, is in the midsole. PUMA has gone all-in on its nitrogen-infused NITROFOAM™, ditching the previous combo of NITROFOAM™ and Profoam for a full-length slab of bouncy, responsive cushioning. It’s lighter, softer on landing and more energetic at toe-off.
Underneath, the outsole uses PUMA’s ever-popular PUMAGRIP rubber, which delivers multi-surface traction. Up top, the upper is stripped back to a thinner, more minimalistic mesh for weight reduction purposes, but it’s reinforced by strategically placed PWRTAPE overlays for support without bulk. The fit is rounded out by a rolled collar lined with plush foam padding to cradle your heel and lock you in securely without any irritation.
The test
Over the course of a few weeks, I put the Velocity NITRO™ 4 through its paces on a variety of easy runs and a handful of faster efforts.
The first thing that stood out was the weight. Or rather, the lack thereof. For a daily trainer built to be durable and sturdy enough to provide lasting comfort on long runs, the NITRO™ 4 feels surprisingly nimble. It’s noticeably lighter on foot than the Pegasus and Ghost, and that translates to a more dynamic ride.
Underfoot, the full-length NITROFOAM™ delivers a soft but super energetic feel. You get that pillow-y initial landing, but there’s an almost trampoline-like bounce as you push off. It’s not carbon-plated rocketry, but for a shoe in this category, it’s impressively responsive. The traction was, as expected, rock-solid across wet pavement and dry trails alike – compliments to the PUMAGRIP outsole – and the upper felt both breathable and secure.
Versatility is where the Velocity NITRO™ 4 shines. It felt smooth enough for recovery runs but had enough pop for when I picked up the pace. It’s not the fastest shoe in my rotation, but it’s the one I kept reaching for when I wasn’t sure what the run would bring, but wanted to be assured of a good mix of comfort and speed.
The verdict
The PUMA Velocity NITRO™ 4 lets its performance do the talking. It nails the most important factor for any daily trainer – versatility – offering a good balance of durability, speed, responsiveness and cushioning, leaving nothing to the wayside. As a result, it can easily handle a variety of different runs, from the daily grind to tempo days.
If you operate with a varied training routine and love to shake up your runs, you won’t find a better shoe than the Velocity NITRO™ 4.
The PUMA Velocity NITRO™ 4 ($180) is available at Rebel Sport.
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