

The shoe fits true to size (though maybe a tick long for some) with exceptional heel hold and a comfortably snug, but not restrictive, medium-volume shape.

The new, more refined, engineered mesh upper is impressively soft, pliable and breathable, and the gusseted tongue has more cushioning than the original edition.

When you lace the Velocity Nitro 2 up, it feels supple, cushy and flexible, with wiggle room in the unstructured toe box. It feels soft and smooth upon impact and when rolling onto the ball of the foot, and slightly firmer and snappier in the forefoot prior to toe-off.

The new midsole foam configuration makes it smoother and more comfortable, while also enhancing its agility and ability to run fast. Puma increased the amount of NITRO foam in the heel while also extending the layer of EVA the full length and width of the shoe. Puma puts that foam directly underfoot where it contours and cushions as you land and roll, but added a layer of firmer EVA foam on the bottom to regulate the squish and provide a more stable platform for push off-much like the carbon-fiber plate does in their top-end racer, but with a forgiving flex off the toe rather than the rigid, prescriptive roll of the rocker plate. The nitrogen-infused NITRO foam sinks in luxuriously before bouncing back, but because of that softness, can start to feel sluggish and sloppy. To create a shoe that balances cushioning with a hint of stability, Puma uses two different foams in the midsole. The lightweight, neutral-oriented Velocity Nitro 2 fits into this line as a budget-friendly, smooth-riding everyday trainer with ample cushioning, responsiveness and comfort. The women's models are created with a specific last engineered for the female foot and gait, providing a narrowed heel, lower in-step and sculpted arch shape. Last year, they introduced a complete new line of models that won acclaim from runners of all levels. Puma continues to make a strong comeback in running shoes, thanks to its premium, soft-and-bouncy NITRO midsole foam and, of course, the success of their sponsored runners, highlighted by American marathoner Molly Seidel's Olympic bronze. Heel-Toe Offset: 10mm (33.5mm heel, 23.5mm forefoot) Why It's Great
