Say what you want about Puma, the Big Cat may have been late to the super shoe party, but it's been playing catch up – fast. Its innovation team aren't afraid to take risks, either. Case in point: the global sports giant just revealed its most daring collection yet ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The Fast-XP collection, in Puma's words, aims to ‘showcase the next generation of speed-driven innovation’, much like how racing car manufacturers use concept cars to test ideas before they hit the track. In other words: none of these shoes are on sale – and they're unlikely ever to be – but we could see some of the tech trickle down to Puma's next wave of race-legal super shoes.
Each concept shoe draws inspiration from Puma’s current track technologies, and has been re-engineered for both track and field, as well as road running. Here’s a closer look at each shoe, in all their (quite frankly) bonkers glory.
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FAST-XP SPT
Inspired by the Berserker, the spike worn by 400m hurdle world record holder Karsten Warholm, the FAST-XP SPT is purpose-built for a 200m and 400m sprinter. It's got a split, asymmetrical 3D PWRPLATE for banking efficiency on curves, a Nitrofoam Elite pod for explosive energy return, and a posterior heel wedge to support longer sprint events.
FAST-XP LVT
Taking cues from 13-time world record holder Mondo Duplantis’ pole vault spike, the FAST-XP LVT reimagines vertical propulsion for the road. With a dual-density midsole, full-length carbon PWRPLATE spine, and hollow heel geometry, it blends cushioning, stiffness, and reduced weight for what Puma calls ‘elite-level responsiveness’.
FAST-XP PLS
To quote RW's senior editor Rick Pearson: ‘This must be a wind-up. Imagine running on that shark tooth design!’. He's not wrong. The FAST-XP PLS, Puma says, ‘transforms sprint innovation into a high-performance road shoe’. Featuring cascade-shaped Nitrofoam geometry paired with stability from Nitrofoam Elite and a PWRPLATE, it’s designed to deliver plush cushioning, high energy return, and efficient propulsion for long-distance speed. Wild.
FAST-XP SPG
Evolving from the Fast RB (‘Rule breaking‘) Nitro Elite, the SPG mirrors the explosive rebound of a springboard. Its dual-plate construction, forefoot rocker, and Nitrofoam Elite pods are designed to maximise energy storage and release.
FAST-XP BLD
Finally, inspired by the dynamics of carbon blades, the FAST-XP BLD is engineered for aggressive propulsion. A stiffer heel with a midfoot rocker works in harmony with flexible forefoot elements and a PWRPLATE-enhanced Nitrofoam system, enabling rapid transitions and powerful push-offs.
The FAST-XP collection will be on display to the public for one day only (Saturday 13 September, 10am-4pm) at the Puma Nitro Lab, Tokyo.
