Puma Forever Run Nitro Review: A Running Shoe for Injury-Prone Runners
You’re 7 kilometers into what has, so far, been a pleasant 10 kilometer run. You’re about to reach that fabled runner’s high when everything falls into place and you can glide over the finish line. But, rather than finishing off those last 3 kilometers like a well-oiled machine, you start to feel that familiar tinge in your left achilles tendon, you keep at it, but it’s not long before your right knee starts to complain as well. Before you know it, you’re lower body is giving you all the excuses in the book to call it day. After all, you’ve put in a good effort and maybe you’re just not built to pull off a full 10 kilometers in one ‘sitting’.
It’s a scenario casual runners like me know all too well. Despite our best efforts and a decent level of fitness, running for long distances is a joy that alludes us. But, what if I told you that there’s a shoe for people like us? People who need a little help in those moments when tired limbs cause your body to compensate and adjust your natural running style, putting pressure in all the wrong places. Inspired by Orthotics, the Puma Forever Run Nitro running shoe was designed with injury-prone runners in mind and it’s the running shoe I didn’t know I’ve been waiting for my whole life.
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, then 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 standout pink 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.
I always struggle with Achilles pain a few kilometers into a run. But running in these shoes for the first time I was shocked when my usual Achilles pain didn’t kick in. I kept waiting for that familiar sharp pain to set in but it was nothing but smooth sailing all the way through. It has been the same every run in the Forever Run Nitros ever since and these running shoes have definitely reignited a little bit of that spark for running that I had lost in the pain.
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.
