Puma used to be the "cool lifestyle brand" that your uncle wore to a BBQ. Honestly, for a long time, serious runners wouldn't touch them with a ten-foot pole. But things changed. Fast. If you haven't looked at the new shoes of Puma lately, you’re missing out on a massive shift in footwear engineering that’s currently scaring the daylights out of Nike and Adidas.
It’s 2026, and the "Big Cat" isn't just playing catch-up anymore. They’re leading. From illegal "rule-breaker" racers to daily trainers that feel like running on actual clouds, the lineup is deeper than it’s ever been.
The Monster Under Your Feet: MagMax Nitro
The biggest story in the new shoes of Puma world right now is the MagMax Nitro. This thing is a beast. We're talking about a stack height of 47mm in the heel. For context, most "maximalist" shoes hover around 35mm to 40mm.
Puma basically looked at the industry and decided they weren't being aggressive enough with foam.
The MagMax isn't just tall for the sake of being tall. It uses a massive slab of Nitrofoam, which is nitrogen-infused and surprisingly stable. Usually, when you get this high off the ground, you feel like you’re going to roll an ankle the second you hit a pebble. But Puma widened the base—the "footprint"—so much that it actually feels more secure than most standard trainers.
- Weight: About 292g for a US Men's 9.
- The Feel: Bouncy, but not mushy. It’s a "stable neutral" ride.
- The Best Part: The PumaGrip outsole. Ask any gear nerd; PumaGrip is arguably the best rubber in the game right now for wet pavement.
If you’re doing long recovery miles or you just want to protect your knees from the concrete, this is the one. Just don't expect to win a 5k sprint in them. They’re a bit chunky for that.
Breaking Every Rule with the Fast-RB Elite
Puma recently dropped something called the Fast-RB Nitro Elite, and it is technically illegal. Not "you'll go to jail" illegal, but "World Athletics won't let you race in it" illegal.
The regulations say a shoe can't have a stack height over 40mm. Puma said, "Hold my coffee," and built this with a 58mm stack.
It looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. It has three separate PWRPLATEs (carbon and TPU) sandwiched between layers of Nitrofoam Elite. There’s no traditional lacing system—it’s a laceless power-mesh upper that fits like a compression sock.
Only 1,000 pairs were made for the initial launch, and they cost a staggering $350 (or about 550 CAD). It's a statement piece. It’s Puma’s way of saying they can out-engineer anyone when they don't have to follow the rulebook. It feels less like a shoe and more like a trampoline strapped to your foot.
The Speedcat and Mostro: Why Y2K is Back
While the runners are geeking out over nitrogen foam, the fashion world has completely pivoted back to Puma's archives.
If you walk through Soho or East London right now, you’re going to see the Speedcat. Originally a 1999 Formula 1 shoe, it’s the exact opposite of the MagMax. It’s thin. It’s flat. It’s basically a leather sock with a thin rubber sole.
With the rise of "slim" silhouettes and the death of the "chunky dad shoe" trend, the Speedcat has become the new IT-shoe. Celebs like Dua Lipa and Rosé from Blackpink have been spotted in them, which basically guarantees a sell-out.
Then there’s the Mostro. It’s the "monster" shoe from the late 90s with the velcro straps and the spiked outsole. It’s weird. It’s aggressive. And it’s exactly what people want in 2026 to stand out from the sea of Sambas.
Deviate Nitro 3 vs. Elite 3: Which One?
For the everyday runner, the Deviate Nitro 3 is the sweet spot.
It’s a carbon-plated trainer that you can actually use for daily miles. Most carbon shoes are too stiff for easy days, but Puma tuned the "Powerplate" in the DN3 to be a bit more forgiving.
If you want to go fast—like, "Personal Best" fast—you step up to the Deviate Nitro Elite 3.
- Weight Drop: The Elite 3 is significantly lighter (around 194g).
- Foam Quality: It uses 100% aliphatic TPU Nitro Elite foam, which is way more responsive than the standard version.
- Upper: It’s a mono-mesh that is so thin you can see your socks through it.
The F1 Connection
Puma’s partnership with Formula 1 has finally hit its stride. They aren't just making team gear anymore. The Puma x Aston Martin Aramco collection and the Formula 1 75th Anniversary drops have produced some genuinely wearable sneakers like the Inhale and updated Drift Cat.
These aren't just for petrolheads. They’re using technical materials from the racing world—fire-resistant weaves and oil-resistant rubbers—and putting them into streetwear.
What You Should Actually Buy
Buying new shoes of Puma depends entirely on what your feet are doing this weekend.
If you are a high-mileage runner who is tired of feeling beat up, get the MagMax Nitro. The height is intimidating, but your calves will thank you the next morning.
If you are more into the "aesthetic" side of things, find a pair of Speedcats in the "Haute Coffee" or "Pink Blush" colorways. They are the definitive "cool kid" shoe of the year.
For the person who only wants one shoe for everything? Stick with the Deviate Nitro 3. It’s the most versatile thing they make. It’s stable enough for a slow jog but snappy enough if you decide to pick up the pace because you’re late for a bus.
Real-World Action Steps:
- Check the Width: Puma tends to run narrow. If you have wide feet, you almost certainly need to go up a half size or look for their specific "Wide" fits in the Velocity line.
- Don't Pay Full Price (Usually): Unless it's a limited collab like the Fast-RB or a Fenty drop, Puma often has "Friends and Family" sales. Check their site on Tuesdays; that's often when the price drops hit.
- Lock Down the Heel: On the newer Nitro models, use the extra eyelet for a "runner's loop." The high stack heights can cause a bit of heel slip if you don't secure the lockdown.