Sunday, February 06, 2022

Puma Running Velocity NITRO 2 Multi Tester Review

Article by Renee Krusemark, Sam Winebaum, Beto Hughes, and Derek Li


Puma Running Velocity NITRO 2 ($120)


Introduction

Sam: Puma stunned the running world in the last year with a completely new line of models ranging from max cushion to its elite marathon racer the Deviate Nitro Elite (RTR Review), which out of the gate, helped Molly Seidel win bronze at the Olympics. 


All featured soft and energetic NITRO, a nitrogen infused foam that in addition to delivering pleasing and strong performance was also very light.


The Velocity NITRO 1 (RTR Review) was slotted in the line up as the classic “daily trainer” with a 10mm drop and moderate but more than adequate stack height of 33.5mm heel, 23.5mm forefoot. It featured NITRO as the main midsole with at the heel a plug of firmer EVA and a stabilizing plastic clip which made for a relatively firm landing while upfront, despite the copious PumaGrip outsole the toe off was somewhere between easy going and snappy due to the full soft layer of Nitro. 

With Velocity 2 Puma in many ways reverses that feel by making the rear (white) EVA thinner and thus with more NITRO softer and extending the EVA all the way to the front of the shoe, eliminating the heel plastic clip while making the front rubber more continuous. The stack height remains the same and the weight even drops a bit to 9.07 oz / 257g in a US9 .  


All of this hinted at a softer landing and a snappier toe off, more comfortable fit and at $120 for a light supercritical foam powered trainer with plenty of rubber a great value.


Derek: Puma has gone on record with the differences between v1 and v2 for the Velocity Nitro, since this review was first published so I have the benefit of hindsight here. In essence, both Velocity 1 and Velocity 2 have full length nitro foam and EVA foam. The difference is while it was more EVA wrapping Nitro in version 1, it is now more evidently Nitro sitting on top of EVA in version 2. The other big difference is the removal of the plastic heel clip for version 2, which from what I gather softens the heel landing quite significantly. There are some minor updates to the upper material too but the big changes seem to be in the midsole. The Velocity Nitro was the sleeper hit of the 2021 Nitro range for Puma, and while I didn't get to test v1, I'm glad I got to test it in version 2.

  

Pros:

Comfortable, overall from upper to ride-Renee/Sam/Beto

Well priced-Renee/Sam/Beto

Midsole offers comfort and energy return-Renee/Sam/Beto

Great heel hold/security-Renee/Beto

Softer heel, lively snappy forefoot-Sam

Comfortable midfoot lockdown and roomy toe box - Beto

Comfortable wide and cushioned tongue - Beto

Nitro foam is very resilient, should last a lot of miles - Beto

Ride is stable at easy and faster paces - Beto/Derek


Cons:

Midsole energy returns deadens in frigid temperatures-Renee

High heel collar/counter-Renee/Beto

Ankle collars near lace up could be a bit more substantial, toe box more structured-Sam/Beto

Shoe may run a bit long as at half size down from my normal I am fine - Beto



Tester Profiles

Renee is a former U. S. Marine journalist, which is when her enjoyment of running and writing started. She isn’t that awesome of a runner, but she tries really hard. Most of her weekly 50-60 miles take place on rural country roads in Nebraska, meaning mud, gravel, dirt, hills, and the occasional field. She has PR’s of 1:30:59 for the half marathon and 3:26:45 for the marathon.


Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is 64 with a 2018 3:40 Boston qualifier. 2022 will be Sam’s 50th year of running. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range training 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.


Beto Hughes Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico 

31 yrs old, Height: 5’10,, Weight: 195lbs

I started running in 2016 and training to lose weight. I used to weigh 295 lbs and between running and Crossfit began my love for the fitness life and for running. I am now aiming to be a Boston Qualifier.

Weekly mileage: 60 - 75 miles on Road 

Favorite distance: Marathon and Half Marathon also Ultra Marathon.

You can follow me on Instagram @betohughes  https://www.instagram.com/betohughes/


Derek is in his 30’s and trains 70-80 miles per week at 7 to 8 minute pace in mostly tropical conditions in Singapore. He has a 2:41 marathon PR.


Stats

Weight: men's 9.07 oz / 257g (US9)  /  women's oz / g (US8)

  Samples: men’s  9.07 oz / 257g (US9), 10.9 oz / 310 grams (US12) 

women’s 8.11oz /230g and 7.97oz/226g (US8)

Stack Height 33.5 mm heel / 23.5 mm forefoot, 10mm drop

Expected March 2022. $120


First Impressions and Fit

Renee: PUMA’s NITRO foam, PUMAGRIP, and Molly Seidel have placed the brand back into running shoe geek fandom. While I don’t know Molly Seidel personally (would be cool if I did), I can attest to the awesomeness of the NITRO foam and PUMAGRIP in the Velocity Nitro 2. On paper, the shoe sounds amazing: responsive, cushioned, and lightweight. On foot, the shoe feels lackluster and it’s not until running in them when I appreciate their ride. If a runner can find a pair when released, I suggest running in them before judging them. Read on for more! For sizing, I suggest true-to-size. The length runs a bit long because of the toe box shape, but I didn’t notice it while running. 


Sam: I agree with Renee NITRO foam and PumaGrip are the key features here, both tops in their categories.  I also agree the fit of my half size up from my normal (available sample) is a bit easy going for a daily trainer on try on and due to the unstructured toe box feels a bit long. I would still go true to size as she suggests.

As far as looks, it's bit too beachy washed out in light yellows and blues for my tastes but the black cat and Puma logo add some edge to the look. I prefer the look of Renee's pair.


Beto: I agree with Renee and Sam. Besides the excellent upper update the Nitro Foam and PumaGrio are the main features here. I have a half size down (US12)  from my normal (US12.5) and the fit is perfect for me so something to keep in mind. The shoe feels soft especially on the heel and the upper is really nice and hugs my foot in place.


Derek: Version 1 of the Velocity Nitro had somewhat bland aesthetics, and it’s nice to see more polished aesthetics here. The shoe fits true to size for me. Yes there is a decent amount of space in front of the toes, but for a daily trainer, i don’t really want a shoe that has very little leeway for sock options. The padding around the ankle is very generous and comfortable. Initial impressions point to a traditional trainer with a nice smooth transition, and clearly softer and bouncier than other traditional trainers like the Saucony Ride and Nike Pegasus.



Upper

Renee: Renee: Overall, the upper is comfortable and works well for a daily trainer. The toe box is roomy, the midfoot hold is good, and the heel security is great. The women’s version is engineered to provide a “narrowed heel, lower in-step, and sculpted arch shape.” I can’t compare to the men’s version, but I felt the heel hold in the women’s version. Initially, the heel collar and counter felt too high sitting around my ankle, but while running at a consistent speed, that hold is beneficial. With the 10mm drop, that heel hold offers a stability feel, which some runners might like and others not so much. I usually don’t like stability features. When running slow, the high drop and heel hold was cumbersome, but it was not an issue when running at moderate to faster paces, even on gravel. The upper does look like that of a $120 shoe.

Sam: Again agreeing with Renee the heel hold is fantastic here. Further forward just behind lace up the collars are a bit too soft while things get locked down at midfoot. 

The thin tongue wraps the foot very well and is padded near lace up with a rubbery quite dense inner layer while against the foot is a comfortable sueded layer. It is a more substantial tongue than version 1 had. The center of the tongue where the padding lies could be a bit more pliable with shallower padding at the top as there is a touch of a stiff feeling there.  


The gusset is attached towards the laces. This is not a band type gusset that wraps the foot down to the midsole directly from the tongue to the midsole but is an inner full layer of stretchy material that extends down the sides and all the way to the toe box. As such, it is more a full midfoot wrap and is comfortable and effective.


Up front there is almost no structure with the mesh very pliable but there is an adequate comfortable hold that wider feet will enjoy.  

And plenty of room for my bunions as seen above. Version 1 was somewhat pointer up front. There is for all intents and purposes no stiffeners to create side hold or a toe bumper, or if there is and there is a bit maybe.. it is very minimal with most structure coming from the front reflective slash and Cat logo. A bit more substance to the toe bumper would help structure the very soft pliable mesh to really lock down the foot but at my half size up comfort and hold was excellent even during a fast on smooth packed snow run.



Beto: The first thing I notice is the heel lockdown and padding that is just perfect, holding the heel in place with zero heel slippage. The upper hold is fantastic and the tongue is one of the main things I noticed immediately. It is thin but with a soft cushion that holds the midfoot avoiding any pressure when tightening the laces and also wraps the top of the foot very nicely. The upper and size is a bit long, something to point out but I had no issues with my half size down but have to mention. One can still go true to size as it has a bit of a pointy front of shoe shoe.


Derek: The upper is relatively simple, with synthetic mesh as the base material. There are some overlays that help with the toe bumper and with structure at midfoot, but otherwise the material is fairly soft and wraps the foot very comfortably. Ankle padding as stated above is quite generous and the shoe holds the heel well even with low lace tension. The laces spec’ed are rounded padded laces and very marginally on the long side for me. These work well and hold lace tension effectively when laced up. In terms of breathability, the upper works fairly well in warm and humid conditions, and I think it should work well for the vast majority of running conditions. I have no complaints about the upper.  


Midsole

Sam: Puma increased the NITRO supercritical foam thickness at the heel by reducing the thickness of Velocity 1’s plug of EVA and eliminating the plastic clip around the heel, v1 seen below. 

Instead of Nitro all the way forward, the lower EVA layer now extends all the way to the front, rising slightly at midfoot for some light support then ending up as a thin layer at the front. 

The result of these changes is a softer heel feel and a firmer snappier toe off with the stability elements of this neutral shoe moving from the far back at the heel more towards midfoot. 


There is plenty of lively cushion here. My testing was in colder temperatures around 15F / -8C which likely made the midsole EVA  (and outsole) and not the NITRO  firmer from what I sensed than what one might experience in warmer temperatures. I found the heel cushion feel more than adequately soft and forgiving with the forefoot firmer and snappier. Recall we have 23.5 mm of stack upfront, relatively thin with a big 33.5 at the heel. The 10mm drop is somewhat moderated by the softer heel making the effectively felt drop less than some 10mm trainers.


Renee: As compared to other $120 daily trainers, the Velocity’s NITRO foam is the difference. The foam/midsole is responsive when running at faster paces and balances cushioning for mid distances. While the stack height is on par with other shoes I run 20 milers with, I would prefer a forefoot landing that is a bit firmer as compared to the Velocity if running past 10 to 13 miles at a time. When running a 10-miler in single-digit temperatures, the midsole felt significantly “dead” as compared to other runs. From my experience, the NITRO midsole is affected by temperature. Anything above 20 degrees Fahrenheit should be okay. 


Beto: As Sam mentions the increase in the Nitro foam at the heel made the shoe softer when heel landing and yet it still feels very stable when running easy. The Velocity Nitro 2 is a shoe that when running really made me go from mid foot to toes very naturally, and easily, while at the same time it feels very stable. The Nitro foam has a nice soft and responsive feel especially when picking up the pace gradually or after an easy run when adding some strides. The Nitro foam is the heart of the shoe as it is soft and responsive,  which I enjoyed a lot. After 120 miles, and I weigh about 195 pounds, the midsole looks fantastic with no wrinkles in the Nitro Foam and just a couple on the bottom EVA foam soI think this shoe can last.


Derek: The midsole is now Nitro foam sitting on top of EVA along the full length of the shoe, with the plastic heel clip from version 1 removed. Overall there is a nice blend of bounce, cushioning and responsiveness with this set-up. I would have liked a higher ratio of nitro to EVA in the heel to get a bit more heel cushioning, but otherwise everything works great in terms of balancing vibration dampening and responsiveness. The underfoot feel is very consistent from heel to toe, and transitions are smooth with a nice snap through the metatarsophalangeal joints at toe-off. 


Outsole

Renee: PUMAGRIP! You aren’t wrong if you noticed a similarity to the Nike Pegasus outsole. The rubber coverage under the heel helps with a solid landing, and the rubber under the forefoot provides some grip. 

I don’t normally like a 10mm drop on hilly gravel roads or on dirt trails, but the Velocity ran surprisingly well on those terrains. The outsole is in perfect balance for a daily trainer to handle pavement, direct, and gravel.

Sam: PumaGrip! One of the best road outsole compounds. Here in a design with sharp low lugs that handle really all surfaces beautifully. So well in fact, that for one of my review runs after a short test I chose it over a 4mm Vibram MegaGrip shoe for a run on very, very hard packed snow on a hilly course and was super pleased with the total flat, uphill, and downhill grip. 


I tend to prefer sharp lugged outsoles for their versatility and feel for road or dirt. The Pegasus, Takumi Sen 7, and RC Elite 1 outsoles come to mind. Turns, accelerations during faster runs, slippery surfaces are what an all around daily trainer faces and this outsole delivers! 


The outsole pattern changes from v1 (above) with a broader non segmented front medial side, a new lateral front decoupling groove and edge release slots, a bit less midfoot side coverage (stability now provided by the extended and rising EVA layer at midfoot, and a more segmented rear crash pad. 


The result, along with the midsole changes is a softer landing and smoother flow forward to a somewhat firmer but snappier toe off with now a distinct more forward flex point which the v1 had less of. 


With the somewhat firmer thick yellow rear midsole, the nearly full coverage, and the PumaGrip compound durability should prove excellent and durability is what one seeks along with multiple purpose grip in a classic daily trainer.


Stick the same outsole on a trail shoe and it would challenge many of those more specialized outsoles on many trail surfaces. As such, and while the upper is not really a trail shoe type upper, the Velocity is a great option for smooth well groomed trails and dirt roads as I found out.


Beto: The outsole as Renee mentions, looks very similar to the Pegasus outsole. But the PumaGrip is one of the best compounds for traction.  I  took them out for a rainy day here in South Texas and the grip is amazing with no slipping on wet roads or pavement.  I also felt so secure that I added some strides of 100 meters and 200 meters at fast paces with the outsole grip was excellent. 


The new outsole pattern helps the midfoot to forefoot transition making it very smooth with a nice flex at toe off. The outsole gives a nice firmer and snappier toe off and the wide inner front outsole helps with stability too so this is a very good design for a daily trainer used for a variety of distances and paces..

The lugs helped with traction and worked very nicely when landing on the lateral side rolling then to the inner side at toe off. And those lugs come in handy when going from road to light compact trail with very decent traction, definitely a do it all shoe for the price point and versatility the shoe offers.


Derek: I didn’t test version 1, but now looking at the visual difference between v1 and v2, it is quite clear that the outsole of version 2 will facilitate a more natural pronation and transition through the midfoot and toe-off. As with practically all the other recent Puma Nitro shoes, there is enough durable rubber to survive even the most zealous of mileage hogs. Grip is not a problem either. Grip across the entire Nitro line is better than solid.



Ride


Renee: Again, what separates the Velocity from other similar daily trainers is the NITRO midsole. The midsole is comfortable for moderate paces while providing responsiveness during faster paces. I ran an easy progressive run for 1 hour starting at 50K pace and ending at half marathon pace (holding each pace steady for 10 minutes). I was surprised at how well the midsole felt across all those paces. Initially, I didn’t think I would like the 10mm drop and the high sitting collar. The heel hold is so great that it feels like a stability feature, which felt slightly cumbersome at really slow paces. Notably, during frigid temperatures, the midsole felt dead. The shoes are light (but not super light) and run lighter than their weight. 

Sam: The ride is comfortable, light, and multi purpose as a good daily trainer should be. The more extensive rear NITRO foam layer removes hard landing edges while the front combines a soft enough feel with a more aggressive toe off. Add in the Puma Grip’s performance and this is one versatile ride. 


Not for me a long run or recovery ride but a moderate to faster daily miles one. The new design of the front of the shoe makes me wonder if the Deviate Nitro with its plate is really required as the differences are now much less between these two and if you want a lighter yet more flexible riding Puma the Liberate Nitro is that option. 


Beto: The ride of the Velocity Nitro 2 is very comfortable at any pace, feels lighter on foot than its weight and can go from easy pace to moderate paces perfectly and when you need to pick up the pace which I tested from 100 meter to 800 meter up to 1600 meter reps the shoe did not disappoint. Maybe it is not meant for those efforts, Puma Liberate may be a better choice  but they got the job done.


I did some 18 mile long runs at easy pace and had no issues and even at easy pace you can feel how the shoe leans to a mid to forefoot landing which is a good thing in my case. The shoe is very versatile and for $120 it is very well worth it if you compare it to other daily trainers.


Derek: The Velocity Nitro 2 is one of those classic do-it-all daily trainers that can do pretty much everything except speed work. The shoe is smooth and cushioned and very stable and grippy on all surfaces. It has taken everything i’ve thrown at it so far, and really only struggled with speed work, where the weight starts coming into play. I would like to see them pare the weight down a little more into the sub-9 oz range, perhaps necessitating a more stripped down upper, and that should make it feel more responsive to surges in pace. In the short time i’ve tested it, it has already overtaken the Saucony Ride 14 as my primary “traditional” trainer. I can see why version 1 was so popular.


Conclusions and Recommendations


Sam: Barely a year into their performance running rebirth Puma could have settled for an “upper update” for the Velocity but went much further. 


They softened the landing, moved the touch of stability to midfoot from the far back, smoothed out the flow, increased the flexibility and toe off snap and topped it with a very comfortable upper, if one a bit on the unstructured side up front for my tastes.  


And in a time when costs and complexity of actually making shoes and especially new substantially changed versions is huge,  Puma will deliver this carefully and extensively updated supercritical foam trainer with an outstanding outsole at an unchanged price and great value of $120. Need a single, very fairly priced, versatile, modern, and quite lively workhorse daily trainer the Velocity Nitro 2 is for sure worthy of consideration.

Sam’s Score:  9.12 / 10

Ride: 9.2 (50%) Fit: 8.8 (30%) Value: 9.7 (15%) Style: 8.5 (5%)


Renee: Compared to similar daily trainers, the Velocity 2 is a good buy. I wouldn’t put the shoes in the same category as super light trainers that can be both speed shoes and daily trainers for some runners (I’m thinking of the Rebel 2, Razor 3, for example). I think they work well for runs from 3 to 13 miles (maybe longer for some runners), and they felt the best to me at moderate to half marathon paces. The outsole will help with durability and its design works on and off pavement. The 10mm drop and solid heel hold provide a stability feel that some runners will love and others not so much. As a runner who prefers lower drop, flexible, neutral shoes, I still enjoyed the Velocity 2’s ride. 

Renee’s score: 9.1/10 (-.40 midsole loses its magic in frigid temperatures, -.50 stability element won’t be for everyone)


Beto: The Velocity Nitro 2 update is headed in the right direction making it a nice daily trainer with a better upper and a more forgiving heel landing and a soft forefoot. They can be very versatile for any pace and durability is very good. Add in PumaGrip really good  on wet roads the shoe is a total winner for me. If you train in 10mm drop shoes it is definitely a shoe to try. 


The heel counter locks the heel in place and is very comfortable and the lockdown is perfect for faster effort days. As I mentioned, taking them for long runs may not make them the first option if you have other shoes but the shoe really performswhen you want something comfortable with a soft landing and nice energy return.

Beto’s Score: 9.25 /10

Ride: 9.5 (50%)  Fit: 8.5 (30%) Value: 10 (15%) Style: 9.0 (5%)

Derek: The Velocity Nitro 2 is the workhorse of the Puma line-up, and Puma have done a great job of achieving it with a nice balanced blend of Nitro and EVA foam. I like it for runs in the 8-10 mile range though it can certainly easily do longer runs. If you want a traditional trainer, with bomb-proof durability and grip, there is really no need to look any farther than the Velocity nitro 2.

Derek’s Score 9.2 / 10

Ride 8.8 (50%) Fit 9.5 (30%) Value 10 (15%) Style 9 (5%)


Comparisons

Index to all RTR reviews: HERE


Nike Pegasus 38 (RTR Review)

Renee: Alas, the last two Pegasus have not worked for me. I think the Pegasus works better for longer runs than the Velocity because of its firmer ride, but that’s when the benefit ends for me. The Pegasus runs much heavier and clunkier than the Velocity 2. Overwhelmingly, I’d choose the Velocity 2 and would recommend it for runners who haven’t enjoyed the Pegasus recently. I wore a women’s size 8 in both. 

Sam: Close to 1 oz heavier with the same stack height and drop, a more substantial upper, and a similarly well lugged light trails worthy outsole, the Pegasus and its duller, firmer React midsole is showing its age in this daily trainer match up. Only if you are heavier, really need a wide size, are a pronounced forefoot striker where the air pod may be of cushioning and response benefit over Nitro (but v2 gets closer) should you pick the Peg over the Velocity.


Beto: The Pegasus 38 is similar in price point and as a daily trainer but comes  in heavier in weight. Both are very versatile shoes. The lockdown on the Velocity 2 is much better than the Pegasus 38 and the Velocity 2 is softer at midfoot and more responsive while  the Pegasus 38 is firmer at the forefoot thanks to the Air Zoom which gives it a different ride. The Peg  feels clunky at faster paces than the Velocity 2 which works very well from easy to fast paces. The Air Zoom will be more beneficial to a mid to forefoot striker to get all the benefit of the Pegasus as it is firmer and gives a bit more pop, especially for heavy runners. The outsoles are quite similar in design but the PumaGrip is so much more grippier on wet surfaces than the Pegasus. Between these two models the Velocity 2 offers the same versatility at a lighter weight and a similar feel at different paces with a more responsive forefoot and well cushioned heel to toe ride. I’m a heavy runner and I will go with the Velocity 2 right away over the Pegasus.


Derek: I wear US9.5 in both shoes. The Peg 38 has a sloppier fit for me, though it seems to have a more aggressive ride with a touch more rocker. I find the Velocity to have better vibration dampening, but also somewhat inferior when it comes to uptempo paces, compared to the Peg 38. Both are good daily trainers, but the Velocity 2 is more refined and balanced for me. 



Nike Zoom Vomero 14  (RTR Review)

Sam: In some ways the Vomero 14 (not the softer Vomero 16) reminds me of the Puma in a specific way. They both share a snappy flexing agile forefoot with the lighter Velocity having a softer heel. For pure long faster sessions, the Vomero 14 is superior otherwise the Velocity wins for its more versatile ride. In the match up with Vomero 16 the more agile lighter Velocity leads as a daily trainer while the Vomero 16 is more an easy run shoe.

 

New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v11  (RTR Review)

Sam: About the same stack and same 10mm drop, this is a direct comparison. The 880 v11 has less of a difference in cushion feel front to back as it is a single density of Fresh Foam X. As such it is somewhat firmer at the heel and forefoot than the Velocity. It’s ride is dependable, quite flexible and consistent but lacks a bit in comparative excitement. It’s upper while fine and more supportive is less comfortable and narrower in a regular size with wide available unlike the Velocity's.

Renee: Sam is right. The 880 is firmer underfoot and works better for me as a long distance trainer. The 880 is heavier and the ride is less exciting than the Velocity. For shorter, faster efforts, I’d choose the Velocity. For a long run shoe, I’d choose the 880. I wore a size 8 in both. Sizing is comparable with maybe slightly more length in the Velocity. 

Derek: I wear US9.5 in both shoes. The 880v11 is an excellent execution of a daily trainer, and I think its main drawback is that it is a little harsh for slower runs. It is really smooth and snappy at moderate to uptempo paces though. Overall, i feel faster in the 880v11 compared to Velocity Nitro, but Velocity is more forgiving and is consequently more versatile for me. Both shoes have excellent fit and lockdown, with the 880v11 being marginally better for me from a performance fit perspective. 



Saucony Ride 14  (RTR Review)

Sam: At about an ounce heavier with an 8mm drop vs 10mm for the Puma,  the Ride has similar stack height to the Velocity. Again as with the 880,  we have a somewhat firmer heel than Velocity and, while not as soft, a somewhat more cushioned forefoot. Outsoles deliver different run experiences here with the big chevron bars of the Ride providing a notable pop and response and a stable toe off as the pace picks up, while the Velocity relies more on its broad full coverage front outsole as a platform for toe off.

Derek: I wear US9.5 in both models. The Ride 14 was/is my favorite non plated all rounded daily trainer of 2021, but the Velocity Nitro 2 has clearly bettered it in terms of cushioning and versatility. The differences are all very marginal; marginally better cushioning, marginally better outsole, marginally better fit, but they all add up to a superior product. Hats off to Puma for pulling it off. 



ASICS GT-2000  (RTR Review)

Renee: The GT-2000 is a stability shoe, and while the Velocity 2 is a neutral shoe, Velocity does have a stability feel to me because of the heel hold and high-sitting heel counter/collar. The NITRO midsole has a far better energy return and responsiveness. I wouldn’t use either shoe for a long run, but for cost and usage, the Velocity 2 is the winner for me. I wore a women’s size 8 in both. 

Beto: The GT-2000 10 reminded me of the Velocity Nitro 2 in its natural midfoot to forefoot transition. These two shoes really felt similar. The GT-2000 10 has more flex up front with a soft and responsive toe off very similar to the Velocity Nitro 2 but the Velocity feels a bit more energetic.

Sam: The GT 10 as a light stability daily trainer with a considerably firmer rear of the shoe than Velocity, although not punishingly so as the GT 9's was. Upfront the 8mm drop GT 10 is more flexible, somewhat softer and thinner feeling than the Velocity and is a full ounce heavier on about the same stack


Reebok Forever Floatride Energy  (RTR Review)

Renee: I haven’t ran in any version of the FFE since the first, and I loved it. The Velocity 2 reminded me of the FFE with its high drop, light weight, and responsive midsole. The upper of the Velocity is far better than the original FFE, and I think the midsole offers a better responsive/cushioning balance. The firmer ride of the FFE worked better for runs farther than 13 miles, but otherwise the shoes are comparable. I wore a women’s size 8 in both. 


Mizuno Wave Rider 25 (RTR Review)

Beto: The WR 25 is a 12mm drop shoe vs.10mm for the Puma  The transition from the new Mizuno Wave plate from midfoot to forefoot reminded me a lot of  the Puma Velocity Nitro 2. The Velocity has no plate just Nitro Foam on top and EVA at below and the transition felt similar making the stride land more toward the midfoot rather than the heel. The WR 25 Enerzy foam is soft and bouncy with a nice energy return and at forefoot has a very nice pop at toe off, the Velocity Nitro 2 is a bit softer at the forefoot, just a tiny bit. Both  shoes worked great as daily trainers. The Puma feels lighter on foot than the WR 25.

Tested samples were provided at no charge for review purposes others were personal purchases. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased through affiliate links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi,
What's the difference in ride and cushioning (softer/firmer and amount) between this and the Asics Novablast 2, which would be more versatile? I found the Velocity 2 a little more a recovery shoe is the velocity 2 faster and better for tempo runs. Thanks :)

Anonymous said...

I had both and sold novablast 2 after having velocity 2 for a week. Loved first novablast for road runs, NB2 felt nothing like the first version. Velocity 2 better then the NB2 in every way for me.