For these looking for the newest innovation in racing footwear and a shoe that may assist maximize each your peak and your operating effectivity, Puma has dropped a game-changer. The Quick-RB Nitro Elite, generally known as the Rule Breaker, lives as much as its identify with a singular design that pushes the boundaries. With a midsole stack peak of 58 mm—18 mm above World Athletics’ pointers—it’s technically non-compliant for official races, making it actually a rule breaker. Puma has crafted this shoe to maximise pace and effectivity on race day, no matter laws. Right here’s an in-depth take a look at what makes this shoe so distinctive and the way it performs.
Specs
Class: Impartial racing (plated)
Drop: 12 mm
Stack Peak: 58 mm (heel)/46 mm (forefoot)
Weight: 355 g (12.5 oz.)
Availability: Restricted (only one,000 pairs worldwide)
Value: CAD $549
Higher
Every aspect of the Quick-RB Nitro Elite makes the shoe what it’s, however the energy mesh laceless higher is one factor that stands out. You may be asking your self, how does this sock preserve me safe? The laceless design is bolstered with Puma’s PWRTAPE in key areas for added construction and help. The shoe slips on like a sock, offering a comfortable match that feels locked in on each stride. My solely concern is that it does run barely slender, making it ideally suited for these with slender ft and tight for these with a broader foot. Whereas the laceless design might really feel novel to some, it really works in sync with the shoe’s streamlined construct, preserving your foot safe with out the necessity for conventional lacing changes.
Midsole
The midsole is an engineering marvel, virtually jaw-dropping at first look. Puma’s proprietary Nitro Elite foam delivers ultra-soft and extremely responsive cushioning, whereas the three embedded plates present unparalleled propulsion. A quick full-length carbon plate runs by way of your entire shoe, enhancing vitality return, whereas two further TPU plates within the forefoot maximize energy throughout toe-off. Throughout testing, the bounce with every step was outstanding—that is probably probably the most responsive shoe I’ve ever worn. The excessive stack peak and dense foam provide distinctive shock absorption, giving a buoyant, virtually “anti-gravity boots” really feel.
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Whereas the added peak and plump midsole design enhances shock absorption, I discovered it negatively affected the soundness of the shoe on tight turns and uneven terrain. There have been a couple of tripping scares, however managed to remain on my ft. At 355 grams, The Quick RB is among the heavier racing sneakers in the marketplace. It could be greatest suited to longer distances like half-marathons or marathons, the place sustained pace and vitality effectivity outweigh the necessity for lightness.
Outsole
The PUMAGRIP outsole is designed to deal with quite a lot of surfaces. Whereas it performs fantastically on flat, paved roads, its grip can really feel compromised on uneven terrain or throughout fast, sharp turns. Moreover, the outsole’s design features a midsole cutout that will lure small stones, making it much less appropriate for gravel or rocky paths. This shoe is strictly meant to be used on paved surfaces, the place it actually shines in efficiency.
Verdict
The Puma Quick-RB Nitro Elite is a putting, one-of-a-kind shoe that pushes the boundaries in each approach possible. With its towering stack peak, triple-plate configuration and league-of-its-own responsiveness, it’s a premium alternative for severe racers seeking to problem private data. Though its weight and design make it much less ideally suited for non-road terrain, it excels over lengthy distances, the place its pace and vitality return stand out as unmatched available in the market.
It’ll additionally flip heads on the beginning line, with a limited-edition design and a standing as one of many few “unlawful” racers, obtainable to fewer than 1,000 runners worldwide.