Puma Velocity Nitro 2 review

9 expert score
6.5 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 Jon Ober Serial Marathoner and Stability Running Shoe Expert
68 other reviews

Puma Velocity Nitro 2 Verdict

The Puma Velocity Nitro 2 is an exceptional, versatile daily trainer. With a responsive ride and comfortable fit, it is a nearly perfect package. A great daily trainer that can handle a number of distances, workouts, and surfaces.

The pros

  • Versatile ride.
  • Exceptional grip.
  • Comfortable fit.
  • Affordable.

The cons

  • Upper mesh can overheat.
  • Shoe lace length.

Where to buy

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

Rating breakdown

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

Facts / Specs

Brand
Model
Velocity Nitro 2
Previous model
Weight
8.8 oz (249 g)
MSRP
120.00

Heel
33.5 mm.
Toe
23.5 mm.
Heel drop
10 mm.
Carbon plate
No plate

Size/Fit

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

Cushioning & ride

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

Usage

Racing
Speedwork
Daily training  
Long distance racing  
Ultra distance racing

Who should buy the Puma Velocity Nitro 2 ?

This is ideal if you are looking for something for every day running. Anything from easy runs to longer efforts.

Who should not buy the Puma Velocity Nitro 2 ?

While it can go fast, I wouldn’t use this for workout and race day.

Puma Velocity Nitro 2 Introduction

Picture of Puma Velocity Nitro 2

Over the last couple years, Puma has re-entered the distance running world. Their impressive roster of elite athletes and a complete overhaul of their distance running lineup shows they are here to stay. Now in the second edition, we have the Velocity Nitro 2.

Updates are some tweaks in the upper and midsole. I did not run in the first edition, but looking back there are not many visibility noticeable changes. Probably the biggest change, is a step up in heel-toe drop from 8mm to 10mm.

Out of Puma’s lineup, this is probably the most middle of the road shoe that seeks to provide an all around package. I would best compare this to the Nike Pegasus but also other neutral trainers such as the Asics Cumulus, or Hoka Cliftons.

Puma Velocity Nitro 2 First Impressions

Picture of Puma Velocity Nitro 2

I immediately was into these out of the box. They felt light in my hands and the midsole was soft to the touch. I liked the black and white colorway, but enjoyed that there were other louder colors available.

Putting these on for the first time was pleasant. They felt incredibly comfortable on my feet and I had plenty of room to move around in. My first run was an easy 6 miles and it breezed by.

Puma Velocity Nitro 2 Upper

Picture of Puma Velocity Nitro 2

The upper material is an engineered mesh with reflective accents. I really appreciated the more-than-usual amount of reflection on these as I commonly run at night.

The material is really comfortable but I wish it breathed better. The shoes felt hot when the temps started climbing and my sweat would weigh them down at times. The mesh also took longer than usual to dry out. A lot of my running shoes usually dry the next day if they get wet. These took almost twice as long.

The heel is pretty soft but it wrapped around my foot just fine. I didn’t feel like it ever was slipping out and it gave a great locked in fit.

Picture of Puma Velocity Nitro 2

As for the lacing, the tongue is gusseted from the middle of the foot down to your toes. No issues with it rolling inward or any hot spots. My only complaint about the laces is that they were too long even with a runner’s loop in play. I constantly was making sure they were tied securely and had to stop numerous times to re-tie them.

Fit wise, these were true to size.
I had plenty of room to move around in the toe box and I had no issues with the width of the shoe. I do not see a need to size up or out.

Puma Velocity Nitro 2 Sole Unit

Picture of Puma Velocity Nitro 2

The outsole’s pattern is aptly called Pumagrip. It provides some of the highest traction and control I have seen in a road shoe. My longest run in these was on a rail trail in the rain and I never had issues slipping around or taking off. The traction is as good as any road-to-trail shoe I have ran in.

The midsole has two layers of responsive light foam called Nitro Foam. The bottom layer is quite firm, where the upper layer is plush and squishy. For some added structure, there is a TPU plate in the heel.

The combination of firmness in the layers of foam gave a ride that was both plush and responsive. The firmness helped absorb shock on impact and the squishier foam helped me lift off with ease. The plate in the heel helped prevent me from rolling my ankle and allowed me to stay in control throughout.

The 10mm offset had me landing and lifting off mostly on my mid-foot.

Puma Velocity Nitro 2 Conclusions

Picture of Puma Velocity Nitro 2

I haven’t had the pleasure to review a pair of Pumas since their resurgence in the distance running world. I really like what they are doing with this new generation of shoes. With all the attention they have put into running over the last few years, I knew I was in for something special.

I got these shoes at the tail end of dealing with an injured hip. I was a little nervous testing them at first, but they delivered.

The shoe was easy when I wanted it to be and I didn’t feel like I was over-exerting. Once my body got back to normal I was able to push the pace and run long with ease. The combination of firmness and plush helped make this a pleasant experience.

These shoes could easily be upmarked to $150-$160, but I am happy to see that Puma makes these incredibly affordable. Between the lower pricepoint and tech, you can really tell this is Puma’s answer to the Nike Pegasus.

I live in Maryland so high humidity and dewpoints are very real half the year, so I hope Puma can improve the issues I had with the upper in future iterations. Otherwise, this is a perfect shoe.

How does the Velocity Nitro 2 compare?

Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40
Puma Velocity Nitro 2
Asics Gel Cumulus 25
Expert score
7
9
8
User score
Best price
Retail price
US$130
US$120
US$140
Brand
Weight
9.4 oz
8.8 oz
9.3 oz
Heel Drop
10 mm
10 mm
8 mm
Recommended for
Daily training
Daily training, long distance racing
Daily training
Cushioning type
balanced
responsive/balanced
plush
Cushioning amount
Medium cushioning
Medium cushioning
Highly cushioned
Flexibility
flexible
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 Velocity Nitro 2 price comparison

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

Reviewed by Jon

This review was written by Jon Ober on 07th November.
Jon Ober lives and runs in Baltimore, MD. When training for his first marathon, he lost over 100 pounds and has not stopped since. He now has multiple marathons and thousands of miles under his belt and on his feet.

User feedback (2)

  • avatar-comment-1034838
    Gregg
    6 months ago
    7 score

    I wanted to love these shoes. I really did… But after 500+ miles of use, I probably won’t buy another pair.

    First the positives: this is a lot of shoe for your money. The build quality of the uppers is excellent, and the legendary Puma outsole is present and correct. Springy laces that stay tight with a little bit of give? Also tick. With no ‘hole’ in the midsole to collect stones, these are good for trail running as much as they work well on tarmac. Even at full price, they’re good value, but you can now get them discounted in many online retailers (including Puma direct). So, what’s not to like? For me the fit isn’t quite as good as the Deviate Nitro line, with a bit more material bunching over the forefoot (they do fit true to size though). Finally, they’re a bit on the heavy/chunky side for speed work, but that’s not their intended primary use.

    But the biggest problem comes from within the wider Puma line-up: whenever I went to slip these on prior to a longer, easier run, I would always look longingly at my Puma Deviate Nitro 2s. They just seem to have more versatility. They can cosset you on a longer run. Or tempt you to go faster when you feel that way inclined. The Deviate Nitro 2s just seem to sparkle compared to the Velocity Nitro 2s and that’s the clincher for me – well worth the additional outlay. YMMV.

  • avatar-comment-1032632
    J
    9 months ago
    6 score

    Thank you for the review. I have been looking for a neutral shoe for raceways, but those that are not plated. A friend had suggested these (I usually use Gel Nimbus, Ghost 14) and have been wanting to check them out.

    I am happy with neutral trainers, but on race days, I would be happy if the shoe just helped reduce a little bit of pounding of leg, and a little bit of energy spent for push offs, but without having to alter my running style in any way.

    I am curious to know why did you say that this pair might not suit race days??

Lowest price:
$120

Where to buy

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

Similar shoes to Puma Velocity Nitro 2

PUMA Magnify Nitro 2 Review

The Puma Magnify Nitro is a max cushioned shoe that can be an all-around shoe ... (Read expert review)

PUMA Velocity Nitro 3 Review

The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is a do it all type of shoe with the benefit of ... (Read expert review)

Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 2 Review

The Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 2 is designed to be a marathon racer but it feels ... (Read expert review)