- Weight: 247g (UK 9)
- Stack height: 36mm (heel), 26mm (forefoot)
- Drop: 10mm
- Type: Neutral, road, daily training
Pros
- Very versatile
- More breathable upper than v3
- More accommodating toebox than v3
- Excellent value
Cons
- You want a modern, rockered ride
The shoe
Ali: The Velocity Nitro is billed as the most versatile shoe in Puma’s line-up. It’s designed to work at a variety of paces and distances, whether that’s tempo days, recovery days or anything in between.
In the Velocity Nitro 4, we’ve got the same stack height as the Velocity Nitro 3: 36mm at the heel and 26mm at the forefoot, keeping the 10mm heel-to-drop. In a world where running shoes seem to be growing by a couple of millimetres every iteration, I’m pleased that Puma hasn’t beefed things up here. Things have changed in the foam, though. In version 3, there were two layers of foam: a top layer of Puma’s supercritical Nitro foam and a bottom layer of EVA foam. In version 4, there’s a full slab of Nitro foam, which makes the shoe around 14g lighter while providing extra energy return. There’s also a reengineered upper for better breathability and the same Pumagrip outsole as version 3.
Rachel: I ran in the Velocity Nitro 3 and found it to be a really dependable daily trainer that I used mostly for recovery or easy runs, as well as easy weekend long runs. With the Velocity Nitro 4, though, we’ve stepped things up a gear and have something lighter, livelier and freer.
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I also can’t overlook the fact that the Velocity Nitro 4 retails for £110. It’s getting harder and harder to find a decent daily trainer for under £120 nowadays, so kudos to Puma for keeping the price of this one consistent despite the 100% Nitro midsole. Now, let’s get into things.
How does the Puma Velocity Nitro 4 fit?
Ali: I typically wear a UK size 8.5 in running shoes and that’s what I’ve been wearing in the Velocity Nitro 4. It’s perfect, to be honest – true to size. There’s a good amount of room in the toe box in terms of width, which means that there’s no rubbing or hotspots. I do find that Puma shoes tend to run a bit narrower in the midfoot, however, and that’s the case for the Velocity Nitro 4. Flip the shoe over and you can see that the platform tapers quite dramatically in the middle. I didn’t find it unstable by any means, but it’s worth bearing in mind if you’re someone with wider feet. I’d say that Puma is the least accommodating brand for this demographic.
In terms of the heel collar, I’d say that this one is pretty plush – there’s plenty of cushioning there to keep you comfortable. As for the tongue, I’m very particular about tongues and this one is almost perfect – it’s this soft, lightly padded style, with perforations for breathability and a partial gusset. It’s just slightly too big for the shoe and I’ve found that when I’m putting it on, I have to fiddle with it to get it to spread across the top of my foot. A minor gripe, but hey – that’s my job.
Rachel: I’m a UK size 6 in running shoes and – like Ali – found that the Velocity Nitro 4 ran true to size. I actually do have quite a narrow foot, so I really get on with Puma shoes as they lock around my midfoot well. As Ali says, though, the toe box is very generous. My toes taper in a bit, so I don’t necessarily need that extra width, but I appreciate it all the same. The toe box of the Velocity Nitro 3, by comparison, feels a lot narrower, which makes it a slimmer shoe generally than the slightly more accommodating model that we have now.
The lacing system is also very nice – there’s enough lace to work with and it ties up securely. I’m a big fan of the new mesh upper as well, which is much more breathable and softer than that of the Velocity Nitro 3. In fact, with the previous shoe, the narrower profile paired with the heavier upper often made the shoe feel quite stuffy on long runs.
What’s it like to run in the Puma Velocity Nitro 4?
Ali: Compared with some of the more gently rockered daily trainers on the market, the Velocity Nitro 4 has a slightly flatter, more traditional ride. If this sounds like a negative thing, it’s not – I’ve very much enjoyed running in the shoe. There’s something quite refreshing about that more natural, snappier ride and it’s one that feels very connected.
It’s worth noting, though, that the heel is slightly narrower than that of some daily trainers and features Puma’s shark fin-style design as opposed to a more rounded heel bevel. This perhaps gears it less towards heel strikers like myself, particularly as there isn’t much of a rocker until the late forefoot.
I also have to call out the Pumagrip outsole. There’s a reason why Puma sponsors Hyrox and that’s because its shoes have some of the best grip out there. I got caught in torrential rain in my first run in these and genuinely didn’t have so much as a slip. I’ve also started wearing them for my strength training sessions, because they provide so much reassurance on the gym floor.
Rachel: I’d agree with Ali in that the Velocity Nitro 4 does offer a flatter ride. Again, I actually appreciate this for those runs where I want – or need – to take my foot off the pedal. I’ve genuinely had a really pleasant time running in this shoe. Sure, if I want to go a tiny bit faster, up to tempo pace or beyond, I would probably still choose a Puma Deviate Nitro model. However, the Velocity Nitro 4 still holds a place in my rotation. It’s a shoe that allows me to get in some aerobic work and enjoy my runs.
Like Ali, if it’s raining or wet, especially during faster sessions, I’ll wear a Puma shoe, because I know that I won’t slip or feel like I’m aquaplaning. Although it sounds silly, it’s actually a big deal when it comes to my confidence levels. The grip on the Velocity Nitro 4 is so good that it’s almost lug-like.
RW verdict
Ali: For me, the most important quality in a daily trainer is versatility – and if you’re only going to have one shoe, the Velocity Nitro 4 is an excellent option, particularly if you’re a beginner and don’t want to fork out for something around the £130-140 mark. It’s ideal for easy runs, long runs and even tempo sessions – and while I’d personally still reach for a carbon plate shoe for my speediest sessions, I can see this handling the bulk of my training. The ride is a bit more traditional than some daily trainers coming out of other brands, but there’s something quite appealing about that and there’s a nice sense of control with this shoe.
All in all, it’s an absolutely excellent daily trainer – and probably one of the best value ones out there.
Rachel: I’m with Ali – this is a great step up on the Velocity Nitro 3. It has managed to maintain all the best features, namely the Pumagrip outsole and the familiarity of the ride, while being lighter, more responsive and generally a lot fresher. It’s a daily trainer that I’d recommend and although, personally, I won’t be trying to run fast in it, this shoe is a great companion for my easier efforts.
