The Boston Marathon is fast approaching and PUMA are coming in with guns blazing. The Big Cat have just debuted their latest super shoe that claims to be the biggest tech advancement of this generation. Dubbed the Fast-R NITRO Elite 3, it’s a follow-up to the lauded Fast-R NITRO Elite 2 and promises to ‘shave minutes off your race day records’... and, it’s all backed up by a research study by the University of Michigan.
Leading the study was industry specialist Wouter Hoogkamer, who’s an assistant professor at UMich and specialises in the biomechanics and energetics of running. Compared to the Elite 2, the next generation model provides a 3.15 per cent improvement in running economy, meaning over 4 minutes and 30 seconds is saved on a 3-hour marathon run.
‘The most striking result from this study was the consistency of the running economy improvements,’ said Hoogkamer. ‘For every single participant the numbers showed that running was easiest - requiring the least amount of metabolic energy - in the Fast-R 3. This is remarkable. From years of research we know that our lab-measured improvements in running energetics translate to faster race times.’
The Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 is poised to debut at the Boston marathon and then will be used at the London marathon by PUMA athletes. Canadian Olympian Rory Linkletter said ahead of attending Boston: ‘Make no mistake, Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 is the most radical ride I’ve ever experienced, and I have the Strava receipts to prove it. It’s certainly the fastest shoe I’ve ever laced up’.
Crafted alongside elite runners and athletes, the Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 comes correct weighing 170 grams – a mega 95-grams less than its predecessor. The upper is complete with PUMA’s lightweight ULTRAWEAVE fabric, with unique build that mimics the Elite 2. A PWRPLATE is still present in the midsole albeit has been reconstructed for this updated version. Down below is the tried-and-tested PUMAGRIP outsole, offering supreme traction. Expect this latest variation of the franchise to last around 300 kilometres.
‘We redefined the creation process to be completely digital,’ said Romain Girard, VP of innovation at PUMA. ‘Optimizing this approach has resulted in science and data that proves PUMA is not just competing in the running category, we’re leading it. This is a truly generational shoe that sets a new standard for the entire category.’
This weekend in Boston, the Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 will make its debut and will be available for purchase via a PUMA experience at The High Point in limited supply starting April 18. A global drop will follow on April 25 across the Big Cat’s channels. Expect the Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 to be priced at $300.
