Article by Mike Postaski, John Tribbia, Dom Layfield and Sam Winebaum
Norda Run 005 ($325)
Introduction
Mike P: I was fortunate to pick up one of the earliest test pairs of the 005 back at TRE in November. So I’ve had the shoe for quite a while, and trust me, it’s been quite a challenge keeping my review thoughts under wraps! It seems like the anticipation and curiosity about this shoe has been ever-growing since last summer. I’ve been able to test them across a variety of conditions, even taking them out for a decently rugged 20 mile race here in Idaho.
Sam: At first glance, a very stylish “sneaker” that one could easily wear out on the town. Under the hood, a combination of the highest performance materials available today: Dyneema super strong and light mesh upper, 100% Anitel TPEE foam, and a new, and exclusive to Norda, Vibram MegaGrip Elite outsole all leading to an ultra light weight trail runner and more.
I had one run, a 5 miler on a dead flat hard granite dust rail trail, in Mike’s full size up from my normal Norda size pair before handing them off to Mike, I set a Strava segment PR on a segment I had done several times including in road super shoes.
I received a true to size pair a few days ago and, due to essentially closed trails here in Park City, took them for two all uphill road runs of 6 and 8 miles.
Wow! Such a ultra light (7.87 oz/ 223g with included racing insoles), springy, quick rebounding and rapid turnover ride. The first truly do anything, fly across any terrain super shoe?
In the article, we review shorts and tops from top end boutique run brands. From Switzerland: X-Bionic and Compressport, and from the UK: Subi, Soar and Usual Objections
Article by Peter Stuart, Ben David, Sally Reiley, Ryan Eiler Courtney Kelly and Sam Winebaum
Nike Vomero 18 ($150)
Introduction
Sam: The Vomero 18 has traditionally been Nike’s more cushioned, easier going daily trainer. With version 18, it joins the growing field of super max cushioned trainers. It grows in stack height to 46 mm at the heel and 36mm at the forefoot so 6.5 mm more at the heel and 6mm at the forefootm yet only gains 0.1 oz in weight. Still with top notch ZoomX underfoot the lower layer is now ReactX.
No sometimes rough and snug Flyknit upper here we see a new soft engineered mesh reinforcing the comfort story for the shoe.
And at the ground the outsole is more segmented and more strategic in coverage than usual for the Vomero (or Nike), contributing to great flexibility and lighter weight. And in a nice surprise, they actually drop $10 in price to a very reasonable price of $150 for a super max shoe with at least some supercritical foam. Let’s see how they perform as Peter, Ben, Sally and Sam put them through their paces.
Zack: When the Nike Dragonfly spike came out, it was a game-changer in terms of innovation and led the way for brands to develop their own “super-spikes”. Therefore, the release of the Nike Dragonfly 2 was very much awaited, and especially the release of the Elite version. For me, the OG Dragonfly has been my preferred spike from the year it came out to the present day, and it was the spike I wore for most of my personal best times (at the time, 4:18 mile, 14:50 5K). So, when I saw this spike was released as “coming soon” at Nike.com, I knew my wallet was about to suffer. Happily I purchased the spikes, and once they came I ran many sessions as well as races with now 8:32 3K and 4:42 5K PR’s!
Pros:
Very lightweight for it’s construction
Midsole is soft, bouncy, and responsive
Carbon fiber plate provides stiffness and great responsiveness
Upper is very lightweight, yet has great lockdown
Cons:
$180 cost could be a turn off
Carbon fiber plate could be too stiff for racer levels or some stride types
Permanent pins could potentially provide long term concerns
Tracksmith Fieldhouse Shorts (XS, Navy $55) and Fieldhouse Pinnie (XS, Navy $45)
The Tracksmith Field House Mesh Pinnie and Short are a great addition to the runner’s kit and are crafted with the durability and attention to detail Tracksmith is so well known for.
The timeless, quality pieces in the Field House Collection make those sometimes dreaded, but super important indoor training sessions a little more fun and carefree. The pinnie and shorts I tested feature durable, yet ventilated mesh material that provides distraction free training.
I have been wearing Buff products for hiking, walking, and running over the years, however, when it comes to downhill skiing, I typically would wear a colorful neckwear from Skida for protection against the elements. This February, after receiving several items from Buff to review, I made the transition of wearing two Buff products instead of my neckwear from Skida when downhill skiing.
All Buff products are made in Barcelona, Spain. Buff is a Certified B Corp.I tested the Balaclava and Thermonet Neckwear and Sam tested the Beanie.
Tracksmith ist eine Marke, die sich durch ihre hochwertige und stilvolle Laufbekleidung einen Namen gemacht hat. Mit einem klaren Fokus auf Qualität und Funktionalität, kombiniert mit einem ebenso klassischen wie ansprechenden Design, hat sich Tracksmith eine treue Fangemeinde aufgebaut. Und auch meine bisherigen Erfahrungen mit Tracksmith-Produkten waren durchweg positiv. Die Kleidungsstücke sind nicht nur funktional und bequem, sondern auch äußerst langlebig und stilvoll, was sie sowohl für das Training als auch für den Alltag geeignet macht.
In meinem jüngsten Testbericht habe ich die Tracksmith Session Jacket und die dazu passende Session Pants unter die Lupe genommen. Beide Artikel haben mich durch ihre hervorragende Verarbeitung und den hohen Tragekomfort beeindruckt. Die Session Jacket erwies sich als perfekte äußere Schicht für kalte, aber schöne Tage, während die Session Pants durch ihre Bequemlichkeit und Wärme punkten konnte. Im Folgenden werde ich detailliert auf die Features und meine persönlichen Eindrücke dieser beiden Produkte eingehen.
Nils: War Topo Athletics vor ein paar Jahren noch ein Geheimtipp aus der Trail- und Ultraszene, ist die amerikanische Marke mittlerweile weiträumig für qualitativ hochwertige und bis ins letzte Detail durchdachte Laufschuhe bekannt. Neben der tollen Verarbeitung zeichnen sich Topo Schuhe vor allem durch ihre “Natural Footshape” in Kombination mit einem guten Mittelfußhalt aus. Wo andere Marken aus der Natural Running Bewegung eher etwas für die breitfüßigeren in der Laufcommunity sind, passen Topos seit jeher auch gut an meine schmalen Füße. Der Topo Specter 2 ist die neueste Version von Topos Performance Trainer, der für seine Balance aus Dämpfung und Reaktionsfähigkeit bekannt ist. Mit einigen gezielten Updates zielt der Specter 2 darauf ab, das Laufgefühl weiter zu verbessern, ohne die bewährten Eigenschaften seines Vorgängers zu verlieren. Besonders hervorzuheben ist die neue Mittelsohle, die nun vollständig aus Pebax-Schaum besteht, was eine signifikante Verbesserung in Sachen Dämpfung und Energierückgabe darstellt.
In the article, I test and compare two of Nike’s key 2025 road trainers. While both have essentially the same big super max 45-46 mm heel / 35-36 mm stack height and 10mm drop, they differ significantly in weight, outsole design and pricing, and to a lesser extent fit.
To keep it simple, before getting into the details, the heavier Pegasus Premium, in iconic Pegasus fashion, adds full length and novel Air Zoom “plate” shaped similarly to their racing Flyplate while the Vomero 18 leaves out the Zoom Air plate.
Mid-race, probably regretting not cooling off at Bumble Bee. Photo: Nick Cornell.
Early season ultras always sneak up on me: one minute we’re enjoying the holidays, the next minute it’s already time to taper. This was especially true for me this year, given that Black Canyon 50k was on February 9th. The 100k here has always been a Golden Ticket barn-burner, but this year the new 50k distance (formerly a 60k) was added to the World Trail Majors Short Series and reached a new level of competitiveness. I’ll spare you the blow-by-blow of my specific race and focus primarily on the details of course, logistics, shoes, and gear that I think could be helpful to other runners.
5’1” to 5’6”5’5” to 5’10” 5’9” to 6’2” 6’1” to 6’5”
Introduction
Living near Boulder, Colorado means I'm practically tripping over amazing trails every time I step outside. Naturally, fat biking during the shoulder and snow season is always on my radar – the idea of conquering snow-covered paths and expanding the riding season is incredibly appealing. I've been following State Bicycle Co. for a while now, appreciating their commitment to accessible quality, so I jumped at the chance to test out the 6061 Trail+ Fat Bike. I was curious to see how their value-driven philosophy translated into the world of fat bikes, especially here in the varied terrain of the Colorado Front Range.
The North Face Summit Series Breithorn Hoodie ($430)
Avg Weight: 14.7 oz/416g
Size S-XXL
Description: The North Face Summit Series are North Face’s most advanced technical gear for high level mountain use. Designed as a flexible midlayer, or outer layer, the Breithorn Hoodie is made of 800-fill Pro Down, that is lightweight, compressible and has an impressive warmth to weight ratio. While light and minimal, it is packed with well thought out features that ensure the highest level of performance be it mountaineering, climbing, hiking, skiing or snowshoeing.
Pros: lightweight, good warmth to weight ratio, attention to detail, versatile, style
Cons: not ideal for layering underneath, pricey when compared to competitors
Introduction: The MW7 is built to defy the worst weather Winter can dish out, featuring a Gore Tex liner, high top built in gaiter/lace shield, BOA Fit System dial, warm fleece lining, 360 reflectivity and an Ultread XC rubber outsole.
Article by Courtney Kelly, Sam Winebaum, Matt Kolat, and Kurt Biesemans
Puma Forever Run NITRO 2 ($150 USD, €160)
Introduction
Courtney: The updated ForeverRun NITRO 2 features a new co-molded foam midsole on a wider platform giving the runner versatile guidance and stability. Puma reaches a broader consumer by targeting the shoe to more than just those who overpronate. It can also slide into the recovery and training category for those who just want the extra support to work into their shoe rotation.
Sam: The ForeverRun NITR0 2 is Puma’s take on moderate pronation control focused on slowing pronation velocity through its broad heel landing, substantial plastic clip, and firm blue outsole insert strips (above) all elements of their overall “Run Guide” system.
The most significant changes from v1 (RTR Review) is a new approach to the dual density NITRO midsole, it’s now co-molded instead of glued with in the photo above the teal central core softer than the outer white carrier foam
Kurt: I’ll be honest—Puma wasn’t the first brand that came to mind when thinking about running shoes. I never really associated them with innovation in this space or felt they had a strong focus on performance running. But ohhh wow… that mindset is officially out the window!
The ForeverRun Nitro 2 is an incredibly comfortable shoe with a perfect foot-hugging fit. That said, runners with a wider midfoot might find it a bit snug. What really stands out is its versatility—it goes against the current trend of needing multiple shoes for different types of runs. Whether it’s an easy long run or a slightly faster-paced session with some mild pickups, this shoe can handle it.
For me, it truly shines as a recovery run shoe—especially when my legs are already loaded with volume. You know those runs where everything feels off, and you just want maximum cushioning and support? Well, that’s exactly where the ForeverRun Nitro 2 delivers for me!
Its weight of about 9 oz/ 255g US women’s 8, 10 oz / 283g US men's 9, and price of $150 / €160 are both reasonable for such a substantial and long lasting shoe. No speedster here, but a durable, stable, and reliable ride. Let's get into the details!
Pros:
Great way to recover and keep body healthy after lots of miles-Courtney/Matt/Kurt
Rocker & 10mm drop works well for heel striker mechanics-Courtney/Sam/Matt
Great $150 price for a supercritical foam shoe which we expect will be a highly durable-Courtney/Sam/Matt
PumaGrip outsole—does a great job with traction-Courtney/Sam/Kurt
Clear heel focused stability with a smooth enough transition and flexibility: Sam
Deliberate measured energy return : Sam
High drop, broad heel, narrowish midfoot, broad forefoot and co molded foams give plenty of stability and smooth any slower pace flow: Sam/Kurt
Much more stable than v1 due to a broader midfoot: Matt
Improved over v1: less stiff, deeper forefoot cushion feel as no glue layer; roomier toe box and midfoot,, less harsh achilles collars : Sam
Heavier than v1 but still sub 10 oz / 283g for so much shoe
Cons:
Laces are short but doubt anyone would need a runner’s knot due to the massive and secure rear of the shoe -Courtney/Sam/Kurt
Snug fit, narrow pointy front of toe box,also, low volume toe box particularly on the lateral side -Courtney/Dominique/Sam
Some lateral irritation up the kinetic chain from overcorrection (IT band, knee) -Courtney
Over built, over rigid heel counter with big symmetrical plastic clip, especially on the lateral side: Sam/Matt
Runs somewhat heavier than its weight: Sam
Runs half size large: Matt
Too many overlays and fancy bits and pieces in the upper that lack clear function: Matt
Narrow entry volume, need to fully loosen the laces to get in comfortably: Kurt
Weight: Kurt
Unnecessary pull tab on the heel: Kurt
Most comparable shoes
GEL-Nimbus
Bondi 9
Saucony Guide
New Balance 880 V15: Kurt
Stats
Approx. Weight: men's 10 oz / 284g US 9
Sample Weight:
men’s 277g / 9.77 oz US8.5 (Prior Version Weight: men’s 9.3 oz / 264g)
women’s 9.45 oz / 268g US9
Stack Height: men’s 38 mm heel / 28 mm forefoot (10 mm drop spec)
Courtney:The ForeverRun 2 Nitro is an attractive shoe with an hourglass wide heel and forefoot but narrower mid foot. The “Cool Weather-Yellow Alert” color way I received is eye-catching with its signature cat claw marks “Power Print” also serving as multi-purpose support features. With five other colors for men and 3 for women, there are options to choose the style that suits you best.
The ForeverRun’s features a snug fit that adds to its guidance. It isn’t an easy slip on shoe and needed some lacing adjustments and a tug at the heel using the big and elastic pull to step in.
The upper consists of a premium-engineered knit material reinforced with PWRTAPE allowing external geometry structure and stability. The toe box is on the snug side, with a taper that caused very minor irritation on my pinky toe. I would probably go up a 1/2 size in my next pair. That being said, I do think Puma increased their toe box volume so there is more height for those needing that accommodation although the upper material is now also less stretchy and soft.
It is a slushy snowy winter in Massachusetts, so these needed to be tested in the elements. The breathable mesh was not the driest running through snow and slush, but it was in fact a great shoe for winter running (more on that later).
The rolled heel counter is well designed with plenty of wrap around cushioning keeping the foot locked in a friction free position.
The tongue in contrast has very little cushioning, but is constructed with stretchy mesh allowing it to easily lay flat against the foot. The lacing is one area that left something to be desired, lace length to be exact. The laces barely allowed me to double knot them and I couldn’t use the heel lock eyelet at all.
Sam: A lot of supportive upper here. The mesh is thicker than in v1 and in addition to the return of Puma effective PWRTAPE overlays we have PWRPRINT overlays for structure and support on the toe box and on both sides of the midfoot.
The ankle collars are high and notably stiff. The collars and achilles padding is thicker and more comfortable at the achilles than in v1 with the more skeletal area of the clip delivering a rear of the shoe area that while high is not completely rigid. The higher and stiffer ankle collars are less comfortable with some lateral side top edge of ankle collar pressure for this non pronator as noted in an A/B test run with one on each foot.
The high supportive collars are joined a symmetrical plastic TPU “clip” around the heel and extending towards the midfoot.
It is not completely rigid but it is extensive and high but, unlike some such clips or rail thankfully does not extend too far forward so it doesn’t interfere with transitions.
The bottom of the foot sits below it at the heel so it is not a support system that is focused lower down and this makes sense as Puma intends the Run Guide system to reduce pronation velocity and I assume this means early in the landing.
The entire rear of the shoe is in my view overdone, overly high and overly rigid for my more neutral heel striking. I wish Puma had stuck with the more restrained rear approach of v1: lighter, less constrictive and rigid.
The midfoot is well held and comfortable with the non padded tongue with narrow gusset , although the laces are too short for a runner’s knot. I think few, if any, will need the extra lace length given the very (overly) solid hold at the rear of the shoe. The new PumaPrint overlays plus PWRTAPE insure a secure lockdown.
The toe box is relatively unstructured when compared to the rest of the shoe with a very soft toe bumper. The semicircular PWRPRINT overlays provide just enough structure to keep the foot locked down.
There is very decent width and volume in combination with the unstructured construction for my narrow to medium feet although the toe box is a bit over tapered on the lateral side.
I am true to size.
Matt: I agree with everything my colleagues have said apart from a couple of small details. For me the shoe runs large, half size to be specific. This is odd because Pumas always fit me TTS.
When I first saw the shoes I thought they looked really cool, especially in the colourway which we’ve all received. But as soon as I put them on I started having first doubts about how overcomplicated the upper was. There are simply too many overlays, tapes with the heel counter overbuilt.
I think this shoe would benefit from its upper being simplified in v3. When I did my first run however it was a relief to realise that I did not feel any rubbing from all of the overlays. My favourite part of the upper is the padding around the heel collar which cradles your foot really nicely and feels almost luxurious.
Kurt: I can agree with the points my colleagues have raised, but I’d like to highlight a few aspects.
The ForeverRun 2 Nitro has a narrower mid foot, that must be why this shoe fits me perfectly, I have relatively narrow feet, and it feels so comfortable. My foot is really well supported in the shoe.
Let’s talk about the laces. Much has been said already, and they are undeniably short. I always use a runner’s knot in my shoes—not because I like my laces overly tight across the instep, but to ensure a secure heel lock. Unfortunately, with these laces, that’s simply not an option. That being said, I quickly realized I didn’t even need it. The shoe wraps around my foot like a glove, providing such a snug and secure fit that I barely have to tighten the laces at all.
For those who prefer to lace up tightly, there’s a slight drawback. The laces have a smooth texture, and when combined with the slightly oversized eyelets, they tend to slip and come undone repeatedly, no matter how securely you tie them.
Laces and tongue combination: For runners who prefer their laces tightly secured over the instep, this might cause some discomfort. Puma utilizes the same design concept for the tongue typically seen in racing shoes: minimal padding. This could potentially create pressure on the top of the foot. On the other hand, the gusseted tongue ensures a perfect fit and feel around the midfoot.
Last but not least, the shoe suffers from a bit of "obesity". At my size, a US10/EU44, it tips the scales at 320g/11,29oz. Not light by any means. Sure, it has a high stack and offers much support, but 320g/11,29oz is quite hefty. PUMA, for the next version, please try to aim for around 300g, or even ideally just under that. Consider eliminating unnecessary features, such as the pull tab at the heel. Perhaps a reevaluation of the heel cap can be considered.
The shoe is not only heavy, it also runs heavy. If PUMA wants to position this as a competitor to the many daily trainers with a high stack, some pronation support features and max cushioning, they need to reduce the weight.
Midsole & Platform
Courtney: With updated Nitro now co-molded infused foams and a wider mid foot and heel platform, the ForeverRun provides a shoe with plenty of guidance and serves as a great recovery shoe or long run shoe. The co-molded foams provide a carrier rim of firmer foam for guidance and a softer responsive inner foam to help roll you forward.
The ForeverRun 2 provides a firm and stable ride that—though not the lightest shoe on the market—ensures you get out what you put in. I felt this on my runs as I tried easy running, strides and long runs in them.
Pot holes are everywhere and this super stable shoe totally saved me from a rolled ankle. It also helped with some alignment issues I was seeing in my gait cycle, helping me keep a straighter landing and roll forward.
This shoe is on the firm side than softly cushioned, and I did find my joints to be a little more achy post run (specifically my IT band at the knee) than with some of my other highly cushioned recovery shoes such as the Asics Nimbus 27 or Under Armour Infinite Mega. This being said, the 10mm drop and an earlier and flexible forefoot rocker allows a really nice transition from heel to toe off keeping you rolling through the miles.
Sam: The co molded dual foam midsole eliminates the glue (and stiffness) of the first edition with the front flex longer and somewhat easier. It could be yet better with more cross the shoe flex grooves to go with the longitudinal ones with the foam slightly softer.
I agree with Courtney that the transition from midfoot to toe off is smooth, as the flex point is quite far back and with the transition easy for such a big shoe, and easier than v1 I have found the best support trainers have a flexible forefoot as once past the rear support the foot needs to be able to quickly bend to toe off. Overly broad, higher forefoot stack height more, inherently stable shoes such as the Nimbus and Kayano from ASICS don't fare as well for me with their rockers making slower paces tedious but less so here.
The heel and its stability (upper construction, foams and thick outsole) are very noticeable. There is the sensation of landing on a distinct and almost separate flat feeling very stable rear platform, which I guess is the intent so as to catch and control the early pronation velocity.
It is for sure stable and broad and densely cushioned with muted but present energy return and less vibration shock than EVA would deliver.
At the same time it is not that soft, bouncy or springy as say the Bond 9 is. What sits above the midsole (TPU clip and rigid collars) is the focus here to deliver heel landing stability. That’s OK, but I do wish the lateral side had more give (less clip and collar stiffness and better decoupling.
Highly protective and rear stable, the ForeverRun 2 has a reliable, consistent dense, but moderately energetic feel. The front flex and 10mm drop allows for the smooth toe offs while the heel area, to a fault, is planted at each landing and impeccably stable, if a bit too much so for my tastes.
Matt: Again a bit late to the party and I don’t want to repeat anything that Courtney and Sam had already said in terms of the technicalities. I will however offer a perspective of a reviewer who tests stability shoes more often than either of my colleagues and is heavier at .
First of all, this shoe is soft and springy as far as stability shoes are concerned. To me the two golden standards in stability shoes are Brooks Adrenaline (comfort, reliability) and Asics GT-2000 (snap, fun).
This shoe is very different from either of those because it’s much softer than Adrenaline and has a bigger rebound than the GT-2000. It is also heavier and more cushioned than either. Completely different experience for overpronators which is awesome because the stability market in recent years seems almost under appreciated. We’ll look closer at how that translates into a running experience in the Ride section of the review.
Kurt: Everything previously mentioned about the midsole is spot on. I’d like to highlight that I really appreciate the firm ride it delivers. Cushioning shouldn’t be too soft for my tastes, and this shoe strikes that balance perfectly.
I’m a heel striker, so the 10mm drop is slightly less noticeable for me. However, the wide platform in the forefoot provides a very stable feel when I consciously shift my focus toward a more forefoot-oriented landing. Thanks to the overall high stack height, there’s also plenty of cushioning up front, ensuring a comfortable and well-balanced ride.
Outsole
Courtney: The PumaGrip outsole of the ForeverRun is well executed and I felt safe and secure running in them even through not ideal conditions. With a horseshoe shaped, grooved rubber heel pad, and almost full coverage forefoot pad, it grips surfaces with ease. The flex grooves that run the length of the shoe give the ForeverRun a natural feel. The traction is an improvement from V1 as our reviewers reported it felt stiff, this is likely caused by the glued dual foams whereas now they are co-molded and the new more longitudinal grooves.
The Forever Run 2 seems like it will be a very durable shoe that will go many miles.. The RunGuide pod pad on the medial midfoot creates a firmer area under the arch. Though placed to help support an overpronator, it did not feel like a medial post that would give you more sensation under your arch as you roll through your landing. This is gentle guidance.
Sam: Plenty of thick durable PumaGrip outsole for many, many miles of training. While the outsole is just one component of what makes for a durable shoe here all the components: outsole, midsole and upper point to excellent longevity at a reasonable $150 for a supercritical foam shoe.
I would like to see the heel rubber (and midsole) better decoupled to allow the foot to yes roll medially a bit easier from landing, especially given the substantial TPU clip on the lateral side.
Matt: What can I say? PumaGrip as usual knocks the ball out of the park in terms of grip and abrasion resistance. The only changes I would like to see is perhaps a bit less rubber in the heel in forms of deeper and wider cutaways. I think this could add even more flexibility to the shoe for heel strikers who after all are the primary audience of this model.
Kurt: An outsole is just an outsole, right? Not when it comes to the Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2. This one stands out with exceptional durability and impressive grip, thanks to the PumaGrip rubber. Aesthetically, you don’t see much of the outsole yourself—but when fellow runners take notice and comment on how sleek the bottom of your shoe looks, you know Puma got it right.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Courtney: In between harder sessions, this shoe is a welcome reprieve that offers cushion and stability. I was conflicted on how this shoe performed for me. It seemed to really help a collapsing arch and remedied some ankle instability, but at the same time, the shoe overcompensated by stressing outer ligaments on my leg. Maybe the clip?
I think the key here would be to ease into a shoe like this. I really enjoyed it as a winter running shoe (besides getting it a bit dirty and wet).
I would definitely recommend this shoe to many runners of all levels even though it is targeted towards overpronators. I think it would also be a great walking shoe or work shoe for those who need support. I might recommend a 1/2 size up for those who prefer a bit more width in the toe box.
Courtney’s Score : 8.95 / 10
Ride (50%) 8.5-Points taken away for weight of shoe
Fit: (30%) 9 - Wish I had gone up ½ size
Value: (15%) 10 great value, durable shoe
Style: (5%)10 love the look of this Puma!
😊😊😊😊
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Sam: The ForeverRun 2 has been a useful companion the last few weeks as I have had some knee issues. My slower shorter runs have been very well supported, that is for sure. For regular recovery runs that is also what I seek. When I picked up the pace, I found the thick firm outsole and prominent rear plastic clips and ankle collars started to feel overdone/over rigid.
While that distinct separated rear of the shoe was helpful when I wanted lots of stability for slow paces landings, it became more cumbersome as the pace picked up with the rigid rear of the shoe keeping me from the full benefits of the nice flexible and lively forefoot.
Dual density supercritical foam and lots of it without stiffening glue, a highly competitive weight at just 10 oz and price of $150 for such a big broad platform shoe with a highly supportive upper and platform. On paper there is a lot to like about the Forever Run 2 if you are seeking a stable secure ride.
I see it as an excellent option but try to be sure if you need some of its early in the gait cycle pronation support, For me it gets close to what I seek: energetic foam, high drop, reasonable weight and grippy outsole but goes too far (and further than the v1) in its rear above the midsole support system for a runner who prefers neutral shoes.
Sam’s Score: 8.8 /10
Overdone rear above the midsole support that also adds to weight
😊😊😊
Matt: I had serious concerns about these shoes. Overdone upper, feel quite narrow despite running long, heavy. But the more I trained in the Forever Run 2 the more my perspective changed.
First of all on the run those shoes don’t actually feel very heavy and the upper does not feel obtrusive. Second of all, every tool has its application. You would not try to cut down a tree with an ice axe. Similarly, in the case of Forever Run 2, what we’re getting is a long distance cruiser for stability runners otherwise known as overpronators. And that’s very good news because I do believe this is a relatively unique proposition.
If you are looking for a long distance trainer and want to feel comfortable and stable all the way this is a shoe for you. If you are training for a marathon and you feel that the time you might be able to achieve is between 4-5h this shoe will most likely work very well for you. If you are a larger frame runner and are training for a half marathon which you will cover in 2h+ this shoe should be worthy of your consideration.
In terms of how those shoes felt for me - I would describe the cushioning as relatively soft as far as stability shoes are concerned but quite lively. Puma ForeverRun 2 will bring many happy miles to me,albeit slow and steady miles.
If I can ask for one improvement - it would be a simplification of the upper.
Matt's Score 8.7/10
deductions for sizing and upper.
😊😊😊😊
Kurt: The Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2 is a pleasure to run, thanks to its near-perfect fit, making it incredibly comfortable to wear. Designed with versatility in mind, Puma aims to attract beginner runners by offering a shoe that provides solid support, excellent cushioning, and a sleek, modern look.
But don’t be mistaken—this shoe isn’t just for beginners. More experienced runners will also appreciate the added stability and comfort on tougher days. Plus, if you're heading on vacation, you only need to pack one pair, as this shoe can handle a variety of runs with ease.
The major downside? The weight. On longer runs (16km+), it starts to feel noticeably heavy, which is definitely something Puma should address in the next version. They say running is fashion, and if that’s true, this shoe certainly fits the bill.
For my next daily trainer purchase, I will definitely consider Puma. And the ForeverRun Nitro 2 deserves all the credit for that.
Kurt's Score: 9.15/10
Ride (50%) 8.5- Major penalty for the weight.
Fit: (30%) 10 - What a pleasant fit
Value: (15%) 9.5 Great value
Style: (5%)9.5 Running is fashion, and this shoes ticks the boxes
Sam: About a half lighter at the same stack height, the ForeverRun 1 sat more squarely between stability and neutral while v2 is clearly more on the stability side of the ledger. The rear of the v2 is clearly more stable given its plastic clip and more rigid collars and more vertical medial side walls at midfoot.
The v1 upper is thinner and softer with more give yet almost as supportive if not quite as broad.
The dual now co molded (not glued foams) of the v2 gives the shoe a longer and easier flex and a softer ride than the stiffer v1, a plus for me.
Courtney: With guidance technology and very wide platform, the Guide 17 surprisingly comes in a bit lighter but with a much softer and more flexible midsole. It lweighs less due to its more minimal coverage rubber outsole.
Both feature a guidance ride and have strayed away from the traditional more aggressive medial post support systems. The Guide is a great choice for comfort in dry conditions, but the ForeverRun is a much safer option for wet or snowy runs. I wore through my first pair of Guide 17s after about 250 miles (not great for a daily trainer). The ForeverRun has a firmer platform and features more heel rocker but less toe spring than the Guide.
Sam: Somewhat heavier at 10.45 oz US9 but sitting on a broader platform with considerably more stack height at 43/38, the complete remake of the Bondi 9 is softer and has more energetic supercritical foam than the Puma. it is also more flexible due to its more podular (if not as grippy) outsole. A bit less stable than its firmer and lower stack predecessors, it is still stable enough for me and I think most. It is a more fun to run and versatile shoe than the ForeverRun for me although it is $20 more than the Puma. The Bondi 9 is true to size as is the Puma and has a broader toe box in its regular fit.
Sam: Like the Bondi 9 the ASICS has a considerably higher stack height for the latest Nimbus compared to the Forever Run. And weight as at 10.65 oz it is 0.65 oz heavier likely due to its similar riding but non supercritical foam midsole. Both have pronation support with the Puma clearly more . The Nimbus is a rigid rocker shoe unlike the more flexible Puma. As such, the Puma is easier to turn at slower paces while the Nimbus really requires faster paces to work for me. Both are true to size for me with the ASICS upper softer, more pliable mesh with overall less support (but still plenty).
Courtney Kelly, age 37 is a college lacrosse player turned avid runner. She lives in Manchester, MA with her husband and two daughters ages 4 and 8. Courtney signed up for her first 1/2 marathon the morning of the race in 2022, winning second place in a time of 1:26. She decided to take running a bit more seriously, joining Wicked Running Club and trying some training plans. She ran her first marathon this fall in 3:04:27. In addition, she holds a half marathon PR of 1:25, a 5 mile PR 30:17, and a 5k PR of 18:20. She looks forward to getting some more strength and speed under her belt this next season, before taking a crack at the marathon again. Off the roads, Courtney is a painter and loving mother to her girls. She is 5’4”, 110 lbs.
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s.
Maciej 'Matt' Kolat- 38 years old, hailing from Poland but pounding Scottish pavements and trails since 2007. Mainly runs shorter distances on pavement 5-10 km and reserves longer runs for beautiful Scottish Glens. Matt’s opinion sometimes may differ from other RTR testers as he is the slowest of the bunch (5k at 25:38). Matt also uses running as a way to stay healthy having shed 100 lbs so far (and counting).
Kurt has a background in long distance triathlon. In recent years his focus is back on running. He recently ran various city marathons like Valencia, Milan and Antwerp. Kurt Is running on Belgian soils meaning mostly flat surfaces. He likes to hit the nearby trails which are mostly gravel and wooded surfaces. From autumn to spring his favorite trails are transformed into muddy terrain.
Kurt regularly joins a run or trail race to keep the engine going. But he also likes ‘bigger challenges: he ran Tour du Mont Blanc in days in 2024, ran his first ultra trail (60K), hiked TMB in 9 days with his family and is on the starting list of Tenerife Blue trail in 2025. He is 1m86cm and 77kg.
Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
