Puma Velocity Nitro 4 Review
By Andrea Myers and Matthew Klein
The Velocity series has been an anomaly in recent years. While shoes are getting taller, more rockered, lower drop and stiffer, this series has held on to a more traditional lightweight trainer personality. The Velocity series has always been known for its simplicity, providing a flexible, well-cushioned, yet extremely lightweight ride. The new version is no different, keeping a moderate stack, flexible forefoot and a surprisingly responsive ride. Whether this is relevant in today's complex world is worth talking about.
Puma Velocity Nitro 4Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 8.0 oz, g (men's size 9), 6.8 oz, 193 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 34 mm heel / 24 mm forefoot
Drop: 10 mm
Shoe Purpose: Lightweight / Performance Trainer
Pros: Wider forefoot fit than previous versions, relatively lightweight, good outsole grip on wet roads
Cons: Narrow midfoot may be too narrow for some, 10mm drop makes shoe only comfortable at easy paces (Andrea), somewhat clunky heel
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Puma Velocity Nitro 4 is a simple, lightweight trainer for those wanting a nimble, fun shoe. The ride features a 10mm drop, full-length NITROFOAM, and a massive weight drop from the previous version that provides a unique mix of performance and moderate bounce. The fit is snug in the heel and opens in the forefoot, making it great for those who want a secure ride but a little more room up front. A medially biased heel makes it a unique option for those with mild supination. A solid update that keeps this series now unique attributes alive, the Puma Velocity Nitro 4 sets itself apart for those wanting a new age twist on traditional lightweight trainer design.
SIMILAR SHOES: Adidas Adizero SL 2
PAST MODEL: Puma Velocity Nitro 3
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Andrea: The Puma Velocity Nitro 4 fits true to size in my usual women's 9.5. I have nearly a full thumb's width from the front of the shoe to the tip of my big toe, and the toe box is wider than previous versions of the Velocity Nitro, which I found comfortable at my MTPs. The midfoot and rearfoot are on the narrow side, which did not bother me, but certainly provided a snug, secure fit. The rearfoot features a small, semi-rigid counter and a large amount of internal padding, which further reduces the width of the heel. The thin tongue has strategically placed padding to protect the dorsum of the foot from the laces. The tongue is gusseted and stays securely in place. The laces are flat and are easy to lock down without any mid-run adjustments. Due to the narrower rearfoot and midfoot, the Velocity Nitro 4 is one of the most secure fitting shoes I have tested. Thanks to the wider forefoot, it is also one of the most comfortable fitting shoes I have tested. Overall, the upper feels more plush and comfortable than I would expect in a lightweight performance trainer, and I greatly appreciate the fit and upper update.
Andrea's Typical Size: Women's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit Andrea well: Brooks Hyperion Max 1 and 2, Topo Cyclone 2, Nike Vaporfly 3, ASICS Novablast 4 and 5, PUMA MagMax Nitro
Shoes that have fit snug: Altra Escalante 4 (toe box width and volume), Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2 and 3 (length), Saucony Endorphin Speed and Pro 1-4 (length)
Shoes that have fit large: Adidas Boston 12 (length), Adidas Adios 8 (length)
Matt: The Puma Velocity Nitro 4 fits me mostly true to size in my normal US men's size 10. The tapered toe box initially pressed lightly against my toes, fitting close and lower volume over the toes. This breaks in after 10-15 miles, but is still a little snug. This opens into a normal-to-slightly wider forefoot with a normal to slightly higher volume. This continues into a normal to slightly snug midfoot with a thin, gusseted tongue. The tongue has a tiny bit of padding on top from a thin strip and luckily the laces do not need to be tightened much to get a secure fit. This continues into a slightly snug rearfoot thanks to a ton of padding in the back. There is a large amount of heel collar padding that pushes the foot forward and as this compresses, the shoe begins to fit more true to size. There is a prominent, moderately stiff heel counter that I noticed despite the padding. These with sensitive heels may not do well long term but those wanting a plush and secure heel will like this. The inner liner is really comfortable against bare skin and the toe guard is integrated well into the upper, allowing some sockless running for those interested.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: On Cloudboom Strike, Asics Gel-Nimbus 27, Xero HFS, Topo Cyclone 3, Adidas Adizero Evo SL
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Brooks Launch 11, Diadora Mythos Vigore 3
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Maybe
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Yes
How Flexible is the Shoe: Moderate
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Is This Shoe Orthotic Friendly: Yes
Recommended for Sockless: Yes
Durability Expectation: Above Average
PERFORMANCE
Andrea: The Puma Velocity Nitro 4 is a lightweight daily trainer/performance trainer that features Puma's NITROFOAM midsole. I received v3 for testing, but was unable to get any miles on it due to the narrow and low volume toe box. I am very happy with the updated, wider forefoot fit, which has allowed me to test v4 without being limited by foot discomfort. I like the feel of the NITROFOAM midsole, which provides moderate cushioning at initial contact and a firmer sensation at push off. The shoe feels light on foot and I was actually surprised that the forefoot stack height is 26mm, because it feels more protective than I would expect for that number. Despite the shoe's small heel bevel, the 10mm drop is noticeable for me as a midfoot striker, and I definitely found myself wishing Puma had made the bevel a little larger. The slightly clunky heel limited my test runs in the shoe to easy pace, which the shoe felt well-tuned for. The shoe also features a later forefoot rocker, which is muted by the flexibility of the forefoot platform. This gives the shoe a fairly natural feeling ride, meaning that there isn't any feature of the shoe that is particularly propulsive or rolling. The shoe just protects your feet and lets you do the work, which is a design that is getting harder to find these days. My test runs in the shoe ranged from 4-6 miles and I wouldn't hesitate to take it longer (probably up to an hour), but the clunky heel would keep me from using it for longer or faster runs.
The Velocity Nitro 4 features a full-length PUMAGRIP outsole, which gives it excellent traction on wet roads. I have 25 miles on my pair and there is no visible wear on any part of the outsole. I would expect higher than average durability due to the higher quality outsole material.
Matt: The Puma Velocity Nitro 4 is a lightweight trainer for those who want moderate cushioning and a more traditional geometry. The midsole is full-length NITROFOAM, which provides a softer heel transition and a snappy toe off. The 8 oz weight (men's size 9) is noticeable and fun. The shoe feels nimble on foot and the low weight is apparent. There is a 10mm heel drop, which is also quite apparent. There is a bevel in the rearfoot but it is slightly medial facing with extra lateral flare. This makes for a clunky heel transition that eventually breaks into being somewhat bouncy but unstable. This continues into a smooth forefoot that transitions well. There is moderate flexibility with a low forefoot rocker, so those with good toe mobility will do best in this shoe. The clunky heel does get in the way, but getting up on your toes feels great and gives this shoe some pace versatility. It does well at easier paces, fartleks and uphill efforts thanks to its geometry. At tempo runs, the heel gets in the way and this shoe is not stable enough for me to use for long runs.
For those with neutral mechanics wanting a flexible, higher drop race shoe for moderate distances (10k to half-marathon), this may be a good choice due to its lightweight and good forefoot transitions. The traction is good on both wet and dry road which is classic for Puma grip.
Despite the small midfoot gap, the outsole durability has been fantastic. The NITROFOAM has compressed a little over the 30 miles in my pair, which has made the forefoot a little more snappy and responsive. Therefore, I expect an above average number of miles out of these for a lightweight trainer.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Andrea: The Puma Velocity Nitro 4 is a neutral shoe with minimal stability features. The platform is quite narrow, except for where it widens at the MTPs, and there is only a small amount of sole flaring in the rearfoot and forefoot. The small heel bevel and later forefoot rocker do not provide noticeable forward guidance and the flexible forefoot platform will require some 1st MTP extension mobility at push off. While there is a small central cutout in the rearfoot and midfoot, it does not feel large enough to have an effect on a runner's motion pathway. The only feature that significantly contributes to stability in this shoe is the secure fit and lockdown. Otherwise, this is a shoe that will be best for those without significant stability needs.
Matt: The Puma Velocity Nitro 4 is a neutral shoe with medial bias. The platform is narrow with mild sole flaring in the lateral heel and medial/lateral forefoot. The lack of medial flare and only lateral flare at the heel really pushes the foot medially, which I struggled with as someone who needs medial stability. This continues in the midfoot and is finally centered at the forefoot. Although the lateral heel has started to break in more and compress, it still pushes me inward. This makes this a rare shoe for those with truly neutral mechanics or those who need guidance with supination at the rearfoot.
Thoughts as a DPT: If The Shoe Fits, You Have a Happy Shoe Reviewer
By Andrea Myers
Fit is one of the most important factors in running shoe selection, if not the most important. While some runners may be willing to tolerate a shoe that fits a little snug for a 5k, runners training for longer distance races or who run higher weekly mileage have less tolerance for poorly fitting shoes because shoe comfort is a major factor in running performance. The simplest explanation is that running is a sport that rewards those who can tolerate the most discomfort from their cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems, and adding in unnecessary discomfort from ill-fitting shoes can take away from our tolerance for these expected discomforts of running. On another level, Dr. Benno Nigg has written about the "comfort filter" which refers to the idea that "when selecting a running shoe, an athlete selects a comfortable product using his/her own comfort filter. This automatically reduces the injury risk and may be a possible explanation for the fact that there does not seem to have been a trend in running injury frequencies over time." This also includes the idea that by selecting a comfortable shoe, we may avoid potentially harmful footwear and reduce our risk of injury.
My colleagues and I here at Doctors of Running are very different in terms of our individual shoe fit and performance preferences. We aim to help our readers make more informed shoe choices by identifying which shoe reviewer aligns with your individual preferences. To help you, our readers, I will now describe my personal fit preferences so you may determine if the type of shoes I like align with yours. My number one priority when trying on shoes is to make sure that the forefoot has sufficient width and volume. I do not have a generally wide foot, but my forefoot is wider than my midfoot and rearfoot, and I have relatively short toes, which means the widest part of my forefoot sits further forward in a shoe, often where the forefoot tapers. I often cannot run in shoes that taper too quickly because they will put pressure on my 1st and/or 5th MTPs. I tend to prefer shoes with a more squared off forefoot, or a wider forefoot in general. I also am on the edge of two sizes, and often have to size up 1/2 size in many Nike, Mizuno, and Puma racing shoes for length. I rarely have issues with midfoot fit because my midfoot is a normal width, and I cannot recall a shoe that caused midfoot discomfort due to being too wide or narrow. Similarly, I rarely have trouble with rearfoot width because my heel seems to be relatively normal in width, at least compared to the width of most running shoes. I do have issues with shoes that have too much heel collar padding, specifically when it pushes my foot forward in the shoe, making it fit too short. I do not often experience heel blisters, but when they occur, it is always because the top of the heel collar angles in excessively towards the heel (like the New Balance SC Pacer v2 or the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 3).
It is helpful for each individual to think about what specifically works and does not work for you in terms of shoe fit, because that will help you communicate better when shopping for shoes at your local running store. For those shopping online, unbiased and detailed shoe reviews can be extremely beneficial in helping you choose a shoe that is likely to be comfortable for you.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Andrea: From a fit perspective, the Puma Nitro Velocity 4 is a great update thanks to the wider toe box and what appears to be a softer and more breathable mesh upper. The Velocity Nitro 4 is supposed to be a lightweight performance trainer, but its 10mm drop makes it feel more like a lightweight daily trainer with a clunky heel. To make the Velocity Nitro work for a greater number of runners, I would recommend that Puma either decrease the drop to 8mm, or keep the 10mm drop but make the heel bevel larger. Otherwise, the Velocity Nitro 4 really is a modern version of an old school lightweight trainer, which is a rapidly dwindling category.
Matt: I have not run in the Velocity for a few versions, so the experience in this shoe was surprising. It feels like a new twist on old-school lightweight trainer design. The lightweight ride is great and makes this one of the lightest moderate to higher drop trainers on the market. My major issues are with the heel design and narrow platform. I struggled to get miles on this shoe for review given how neutral this shoe is and how medially biased the heel is. Heel bevels should face lateral and not medial. I would fix the heel to create less lateral sole flare and improve the bevel geometry, which should improve the heel transition greatly. I would also consider adding a little medial heel flare to offset the lateral sole flare. In the upper, the excessive padding in the heel pushes the foot forward and makes the shoe feel short initially. I would tone down the padding, get rid of or only use a light/flexible heel counter to soften the back. While this shoe doesn't work for me, it is still a solid one that will work for many as a lightweight, non-super shoe for a variety of uses.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Andrea: The Puma Velocity Nitro 4 is a lightweight daily trainer/performance trainer with a snug rearfoot and midfoot but a wider toe box. It will work best for runners who prefer higher drop, neutral shoes that do not have a significant rocker profile. For the right person, this could be a do it all daily trainer and workout shoe, and potentially even a racing shoe for those who do not like super shoes. While the clunky heel limited my use of the shoe to easy runs, I enjoyed my easy runs in the shoe and was pleased with the comfortable fit. The $140 price tag makes it a decent value due to its light weight and likely high durability as a result of the full coverage PUMAGRIP outsole.
Matt: The Puma Velocity Nitro 4 is a lightweight trainer for those wanting a lighter shoe with more traditional geometry. The fit will work best for those wanting a snug rearfoot/midfoot and a slightly wider toebox. The ride will work for those who want a lighter, bouncy heel, higher drop and moderate flexibility in the forefoot. The lateral heel flare will work best with lateral guidance needs or mild trouble with supination but those who pronate will struggle in this shoe over moderate to long distances. While this shoe is not appropriate for my mechanics and I had a difficult time getting miles on these, I can appreciate this shoe for those wanting a lighter, higher drop. Most shoes like this are lower drop, with the exception of the Adidas Adizero SL 2, which is probably to closest comparison. These types of flexible, simple shoes need to stick around as complexity is not always a good thing. This is a great example of a shoe that would work for someone new to running looking to get something to exploring running faster without the aggressiveness of a full super shoe. For others, it will be a reminder of simpler times when all you had to think about was strapping on a pair of shoes and going out for a run.
GRADES
Andrea
Fit: A (Very comfortable, secure fit. I like the wider forefoot and the updated mesh upper.)
Performance: B (Comfortable for easy runs. 10mm drop and small heel bevel make the heel a little clunky, keeping me from using it at faster paces.)
Stability: [neutral] C (A truly neutral shoe, not for those with stability needs)
Value: A- ($140 for a trainer that is lightweight and has high durability is a good deal)
Personal: B (Great fit, fine for easy runs, but isn't going to be part of my easy run lineup due to heel)
Overall Design: B+
Matt
Fit: A- (Fits slightly short due to heel padding. Wider forefoot and more snug heel with comfortable upper)
Performance: B (No frills mileage gainer with no rocker for those who want a real traditional trainer)
Stability: [Neutral / Medial Heel Bias[ C- (Narrow platform and lateral heel flare creates medial bias)
Value: A- (Solid price for a decently durable and simple performance shoe)
Personal: B- (Decent fit once it breaks in but too much medial bias for me. I still appreciate the shoe just wish it was more stable)
Overall Design: B
SHOP | SUPPORT DORPuma Velocity Nitro 4Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
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