What happens when you take the wildest looking shoe on the market and tell the designers to make it even wilder? Then there is a pretty good chance that they will create something resembling Puma Fast-R 2.
Okay, the sequel probably isn't as big of a shock as the original, as the two versions do look quite similar. But still, some interesting things have happened visually. Among other things, the designers have let the carbon plate extend further out than the midsole itself. But not all of it is just visual gimmicks to turn heads. Because the major changes are hard to spot with the naked eye, but noticeable when you put the shoe on.
Aliphatic ETPU. Yeah, chew on that for a moment. That's the foam type that Puma has chosen to use in Fast-R 2. Not peba, but aliphatic ETPU – and of course still nitrogen-infused. I have to admit, I don't have a complete understanding of what technically happens in the shoe when choosing one over the other. BUT I can clearly feel that something cool is happening under my feet when I run in Puma Fast-R 2.
Puma Fast-R 2 – Extremely Bouncy
The first time I ran in the shoes was during an interval session, where I ran with other runners. When I did the first acceleration, I almost ran into the runner in front of me because I didn't expect the shoes to have so much bounce.
The new Nitro Elite foam is really good. There is both plenty of energy return and cushioning in it, and it generally makes it a really good experience to run in Puma Fast-R 2. The shoes excel particularly in longer interval sessions, tempo runs, or longer races where you easily get into a good flow and just need to maintain it. Once the shoes get going, they are hard to stop.
The carbon plate in Fast-R 2 is very visible. Both because there is a large hole in the midsole where it is the only thing binding the two parts together. And also because the plate extends further forward than the shoe itself. There is no doubt that it really helps propel the shoes forward and plays a big role in making the shoes as aggressive as they are.
Puma Fast-R 2 – Ultraweave and PumaGrip
So far, I have mainly praised how the shoes feel underfoot. That's because they are so wild and provide so much bounce, which I believe is the shoes' greatest strength. But both the upper and outsole of the shoes are actually very reasonable.
The upper is made with Ultraweave material. It is thin, light, and breathable. And it sits really nicely on my foot. The fit is really comfortable. It's not a classic 'race fit,' where everything can be a bit tight, but I have a feeling that the shoe holds well on my foot without squeezing or pinching. However, it should be noted that the tongue is very elastic, which means you have to make an effort when tightening the shoes, as they can end up fitting a bit loosely if the lacing isn't correct.
The outsole is partially coated with PumaGrip. I have mentioned it in other reviews of Puma shoes. Puma Grip just works. It provides really good traction in all the different scenarios a road running shoe can encounter. Rain, gravel, a bit of mud. PumaGrip handles it.
Puma Fast-R 2 - Conclusion
Overall, Puma Fast-R 2 is a shoe for you who want to experience some of the wildest bounce on the market. It is an obvious racing shoe for those who want a lot of cushioning, and especially for marathon and half marathon intensities, I think it performs exceptionally well.
Didn't you find your favorite?
See our entire collection of running shoes here:
