Article by Sam Winebaum
Puma Velocity Nitro 4 ($140)
Introduction
The Velocity Nitro 4 is Puma’s mid range, all around daily trainer sitting between the plated Deviate Nitro and the more highly stacked Magnfiy Nitro 3. For its 4th edition it goes with an all NitroFoam supercritical Aliphatic TPU NITRO compound midsole tweaked from their Elite Nitro for daily running, losing the prior version’s lower layer of EVA. It loses 13g as a result while gaining 2.5mm in stack height, following the trends of more stack height at similar or lower weights as brands transition to all supercritical foam midsoles as Puma has done here. It remains a 10mm drop shoe and at $140 on the lower end of pricing for supercritical foam shoes.
Pros:
Agile, fast, fun to run daily trainer: Sam
Soft and bouncy midsole with lots of energy return
Reasonably priced at $140 for a full supercritical foam midsole shoe: Sam
Midrange stack height of 36/26 and light in weight for its category at 8.65 oz / 245g US9
Cons:
A bit soft and mushy under the midfoot given no lower EVA layer or plate: more rubber coverage or filled in midsole might help? Sam
Not as stable as prior Velocity Nitro: Sam
Most comparable shoes
Adizero EVO SL
New Balance Rebel v5
ASICS Novablast 5
Nike Pegasus Plus
Stats
Approx. Weight: men's 8.65 oz / 245g US9 (prior version 9.07 oz / 257g US9)
Sample Weights:
men’s 8.43 oz / 239g US 8.5 (R: 233g, L:246g)
women’’s oz / g US
Stack Height:
V4 36 mm heel / 26 mm forefoot
V3 33.5 mm heel / 23.5 mm forefoot,
Platform Width:
80 mm heel / 65 mm midfoot / 100 mm forefoot
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Sam: The Velocity Nitro 4 immediately conveys a fast vibe with its relatively low stack height and performance oriented upper fit yet in my Sea Glass/ Speed Blue colorway also says to me that this will be a friendly fast fun kind of ride and a move away from the steadier more stable and stiffer prior versions. And that is what it delivered for me!
The upper is a fairly standard engineered mesh of moderate thickness with decent breathability.
The rear collars are amply and deeply padded with a stout quite high and rigid heel counter to lock the foot to the rear of the platform. Runners with narrow heels should not have any heel slip issues. And along with the deep heel rubber coverage this construction is appropriate to stabilize landings given the soft foam with now no denser EVA below.
The gusseted tongue has a very wide (wrapping down the foot) quite long, perforated and lightly padded leatherette top section.
The gusset itself is a one inch strap so there is not the often seen over pressure at the arch from the gusset.
As with all Puma while the rides are always playful and fun they don’t compromise on foot hold and here we have a relatively low volume very well held midfoot. The laces are on the short side and I doubt anyone will need a runner’s lace lock here.
The toe box as with most Puma is somewhat pointy long with the toe bumper minimal, as is made of really just the over the toes overlays. Along with the perforated mesh, which while non stretch, has some give should allow this relatively narrow front of the shoe to adapt to most non wide feet. Again, as with the rest of the shoe fit it is more performance focused than easy going and often sloppy in fit type.
I am true to size in width and volume and as stated above performance oriented in lock down in what is overall a relatively low volume upper. Wide versions will be available.
Midsole & Platform
Sam: The midsole is now entirely Nitrofoam, a new supercritical Aliphatic TPU NITRO compound midsole tweaked from their Elite Nitro foam for daily running. Prior versions had a lower layer of denser “LIght EVA” which for my tastes made the Velocity quite stiff (due to glue between foams) , almost dull and very stable for a neutral shoe. We are talking about a new experience here.
The all Nitrofoam midsole, now 2.5mm higher, is on the soft side, very energetic and lively with the outsole providing some required response and pop. The drop remains at 10mm with a distinct sensation of the run of plunging forward into the soft foam upfront then rebounding in a nice bouncy fashion.
I do find the midfoot to be a bit flat and oversoft. Not a support issue but more one of a hesitation in transition from midfoot to toe off.
Given the soft Nitrofoam I think more vertical sidewalls on the medial side, filling in the cavity, more outsole rubber, or even a small plastic shank in that area might help improve the flow forward
The cushioning is deep but not “max” especially at the heel where if you are a consistent heel striker, are heavier, need a touch more midfoot support and run typically at slower paces the Magnify Nitro 3 (RTR Review) can be a better choice. It has increased stack height and more rear platform width of a new PEBA foam (actually feels very similar in softness to the Nitrofoam here but is a bit denser and quicker reacting and less bouncy. For yet more support but still more neutral in focus than stability, the Forever Run (RTR Review) is a solid choice.
Outsole
Sam: As always PumaGrip shines! There is plenty of it with plenty of cuts into the rubber for flexibility and grip.
I do wish the coverage was a bit more extensive or maybe less segmented at the front of the midfoot to give the Velocity a touch more forefoot stability given the soft foam and 10mm drop. Alternatively, a small “shank” in that area might achieve the same. Prior versions were stiffer and more stable there but not as much fun.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Sam: The Velocity Nitro 4 is a thoroughly modern light and lively daily trainer which retains its traditional 10mm drop, reasonable $140 pricing and performance focused upper fit. The ride is well cushioned, lively and fast if not quite as stable (or dull) as its predecessor with its extra layer of lower EVA foam.
I do wish for a bit less soft midfoot feel which, while stable, is a bit flat and could use either more rubber or more foam in the cavity to give that area more get up and go to toe off.
The Velocity Nitro 4 is an excellent choice for faster daily runs of pretty much any distance except very long although for long and slower I would look to the Magnify Nitro 3 and for faster tempo the Deviate Nitro with its carbon infused plate and more rigid rocker focused ride. The Velocity is also an excellent single trainer choice for the high school and college runner (or any runner) due to its reasonable pricing, versatility, light weight, plentiful fun cushion, secure upper and expected durability.
Sam’s Score: 9.14 / 10
Ride (50%): 9 needs more midfoot snap
Fit (30%): 9.2 solid performance fit
Value (15%): 9.5 strong versatility and expected durability
Style (5%): 9 cheery
😊😊😊😊
5 Comparisons
Adizero SL EVO (RTR Review)
Sam: The popular EVO is a very similar concept shoe. A slab of lively supercritical foam and that’s about it. The EVO is at about the same stack height and has the same 10mm drop. It is considerably lighter due to its more minimal upper (borderline shaky in hold for me and outsole (surprisingly durable). To solve the same midfoot softness issue the Puma has adidas inserted a small plate just below the sockliner. Unfortunately for me anyway the plate is “in the way” of transitions at all but fast paces limiting the shoe’s versatility in comparison to the Puma.
New Balance Rebel v5 (RTR Review)
Sam: 26g lighter on a slightly wider platform, about the same heel height but higher forefoot as a 6mm drop shoe the Rebel is more stable and stiffer, somewhat denser in cushion feel. It’s lighter upper is more breathable and almost as secure. While the Puma is more lively, agile and fun the New Balance is a steadier tempo performer and can be a nice plateless race choice.
ASICS Novablast 5 (RTR Review)
Sam: About the same weight but considerably higher stacked at 42/34 the ASICS has a stronger cushion to weight ratio than the Puma, a great ride (albeit not supercritical fun and bouncy) but comes with some caveats. Its upper is not as supportive and its outsole not nearly as grippy as the Puma’s. If you have a well aligned in the direction of travel running form, stick to smooth surfaces at the same price as the Puma, it is a great value. If you prefer a more traditional higher drop somewhat lower stack and more flexible shoe with a more performance oriented and secure upper, the Velocity Nitro 4.
Nike Pegasus Plus (RTR Review)
Sam: The now somewhat dated Plus is a very similar shoe in having essentially the same stack height, 10mm drop and weight, an all supercritical ZoomX midsole, and very secure performance oriented upper. Their rides are similar with the Nike’s ZoomX midsole a bit denser, less bouncy and more responsive. The big difference…price as the Nike is $180 retail to the super reasonable $140 here although as always with Nike older colorways can be found at the price of the Puma.
Skechers Aero Spark (RTR Review)
Sam: Another shoe with similar stats and same daily training focus, the Spark has the same 36mm heel height but a 6mm higher forefoot so is more cushioned upfront while also adding a ball of the foot carbon infused H-Plate something the Puma might consider but in a bit more mellow construction. Both have a supercritical nitrogen EVA midsole with similar feel but due to the increased stack height and plate the Spark, while flexible is more responsive and snappy while the Puma is softer and bouncier.
All RTR reviews: HERE
Latest Reviews-chronological order HERE
The Velocity Nitro 4 will be available July 17, 2025
Sam's Video Review of the Velocity Nitro 4
Tester Profile
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th 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.
Europe only: use RTR code RTR5ALL for 5% off all products, even sale products
4 comments:
Not as stable? That’s good news to me.
great article
EVO SL does not have a 10mm drop - it's 6.5mm, which is important since I would not purchase a 10+mm drop shoe personally.
How does the ride compare to the MagMax?
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