Shoes with Super Powers

Disclaimer: I received a free pair of Puma Deviate Nitros as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews!

I have never had actual racing shoes with super-fancy speed technology in them. I’m more of the type to ask, “Which shoes can handle 165 pounds trudging along at 12 minutes per mile?” I’ll take those.

I’ve learned a lot from trying out these Pumas! I had heard about carbon fiber plates in shoes and didn’t really think it could make a big difference, but WOW.

Between that Puma innoplate and and the Nitro foam, these shoes are so springy and light that I was able to come within one minute of my best ever 5k time, and I’m not even very trained up right now!

The shoes are kind of crazy when you first try them on - so little fabric and filler - all performance. Instead of a normal shoe back, there is lightweight fabric with strategically placed pads that hold your heel in place. This makes the shoes fit like a glove and obviously removes a lot of weight.

I was pretty nervous just putting in my shoe size without being able to try the shoes on first. Some people I talked to who also tried them said they ran a little small, but for me they were pretty good. One of my feet is bigger than the other, but I wore my normal size (11) and they don’t feel too tight.

The only issue I’ve been having is getting blisters from the heel. I’m still experimenting with which socks to wear to reduce this, because my first day out in the shoes I had no issues. As I test it out, I’ve been wearing KT blister tape and no issue once that’s on. The bouncy-ness and speed I get with these shoes is well worth the experimentation needed.

Anyway, just thought everyone would want to know about the shoes that are giving me superpowers. You may return to your day, well-informed.

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