The one aspect I wasn’t able to test was traversing those same terrains in rainy weather. While it rained quite often, it was usually overnight, which dried out significantly enough by the morning when attempting the trails. With only a few damp spots, it managed it with ease. Puma isn’t a stranger to trail running, but with the launch of the new Nitro cushioning tech, the company has taken a renewed interest in all things running. This means the trail shoes also get a makeover, with the Puma Voyage Nitro their first big trail release in a while, also the first to feature Nitro in the midsole. The fit around the heel, ankle and midfoot is very nice with the integrated bootie construction, but just as Mike, I found the front very pointy, whereas the shoe being the perfect length in my usual 10.5US. I miss some room exactly in the same place as Mike did, around the pinky toe. Yes, we are at 12 oz in the GTX which adds a solid ounce to the shoe. Puma tells us the non GTX Voyage will weigh about 10.7 oz, about the same as a Speedgoat 4. But after some miles, the upper gained a bit of stretch (and I think the GTX layer might be the cause for the initial rigidity) and I did not feel excessive pressure point up front.

Puma | Voyage Nitro Womens Trail Running Shoes | Purple/Black Puma | Voyage Nitro Womens Trail Running Shoes | Purple/Black

The NITRO foam midsole also plays a large part in ensuring the bottom of your feet have the protection they need. The Voyage outsole performs very well on all terrain. It was never a liability, I had no unexpected foot slips, and combined with the very stable platform and waterproofing I could go wherever I wanted without being limited by my footwear. In addition to the traction, the rubber is soft and flexes well enough that the ride on pavement is smooth and quiet. At 70 miles so far, much of it on rough terrain, the outsole has minimal wear. The smooth, controlled ride that keeps just that little bit of firmness that I like in a shoe, the versatile and effective traction and the finally the very comfortable fit make for a nice shoe that will cover many uses, from running to walking, all with warm feet thanks to the GTX upper. Ideally suited for easy miles, the shoe won’t scream for speed due to its weight and how it runs but...who needs a fast shoe every day? Being a trail shoe, I’ve already covered most of the important aspects of what would make it good. The cushioning, the padding, the premium materials and the durable build are all key aspects of designing an outdoor-compatible shoe. However, there is one small aspect that would take it from an average trail shoe to a good one, perhaps even great – its performance.status. UK residents only. W&M Wholesale Limited acts as a broker and offers finance from a restricted range I question the webbing loop around the heel’s utility but appreciated the big tongue reflective highlight. Jeremy: This is my go-to deep winter running shoe, when snow covers the trails, or when I go running at a ski area. It is more of an all-uses mountain shoe, clearly performance oriented, but not is specifically for running. The fit is really nice (actually there’s a Sense S/Lab upper inside the external cover), it rides a lot firmer than the Puma, and it gets an equally efficient traction and is maybe a bit more effective in snow thanks to its deeper lugs.

Nitro Running Trainers | PUMA

The upper felt rigid, and my feet must be close to the same as Mike’s, as I experienced the exact same issue with a creasing on the top that pushes against my feet. After some more miles, be it running or walking, the upper gained some stretch, and although still existing, this crease was not an issue anymore on following runs. It is the latter that I tested over the past few weeks, taking a detour from my usual running paths to something more offroad. The PUMA Fast-Trac Nitro may be the understudy of the more premium Voyage series but still has a lot to offer for casual trail runners (or walkers). All in all, considering the now comfy fit, very effective traction, smooth ride, I can clearly see myself logging a bunch of my easy miles in them this winter. I usually suffer from very cold feet and the Voyage GTX will be quite a relief in that respect. Though not heavy for a shoe in its class of high cushion waterproof shoes, it is heavy compared to most trail shoes - Jacob/Jeremy/Mike P /SamMike P (10.0): I also did not like these for running, as the ride is pretty firm. They do work for slushy and sloppy conditions though, as would the Pumas. The Salomons are a bit lighter with less bulk to them - so I would say the choice would be based on preference in feel as they both work in similar conditions. Challenging ultra-marathon distances are even more challenging on loose terrain or - even more challenging - sand. Firstly, a high toe prevents sand from penetrating the shoe, thereby causing discomfort and weighing the shoe down. Secondly, the light weight coupled with the wide tread allows for better traction on sandy terrain. There’s a lot to like about the build quality of the PUMA Fast-Trac Nitro. The only aspect I’d be concerned about would be the elastic pull tab on the heel. It doesn’t quite work as a pull tab and is quite stiff for elastic, which I feel may pull out over time if used often. Still, it’s a decent achievement to keep the weight below 350 g, and for those coming from the road, it won’t take you long to get used to the Voyage. That said, there are lighter trail shoes available. Sam: A really sharp colorway that is bright but just muted enough not to shout. I have gotten many compliments about the color on the trails and around town.

Puma Voyage Nitro trail running shoes - TechSmart Review: Puma Voyage Nitro trail running shoes - TechSmart

I still have to run on deep snow with the Voyage, but they are very different shoes, and the Puma will get way more uses during the year, where the Salomon only really shines in snowy mountain conditions. And the Salomon cost quite a bit more. As Jacob states, I find the wet traction of the Endorphin Trail suffers a lot from the comparison with the Voyage. The Saucony would get the edge with light mud thanks to the more prominent lugs but that’s all - and I clearly lean more towards the Puma for its more versatile and efficient grip. Understanding this, I wanted to focus on the ride. I was intrigued by the use of Puma’s Nitro foam, a supercritical nitrogen processed foam which is in a number of Puma outstanding new road shoes including the Deviate Elite worn to great success by Molly Seidel. Jacob : The Voyage GTX replaced the Cascadia as a daily wear (dog walk/adventure, hiking) shoe for me this fall. I like it more than the Cascadia in almost every way. Though they are very similar in weight, the Cascadia feels more like a tank and is much stiffer, both above and below the foot. The Cascadia is roomier and boxier in the toebox which is a major difference and for some foot shapes would be critical to comfort. For my medium width foot it leads to the Cascadia being not as secure. The Cascadia is also not as warm as the Voyage which is overall a negative for me as I use GTX shoes for winter and don’t find the Voyage to be too warm. Traction of the Voyage is better in all conditions and the ride is more fluid and usable on pavement where the Cascadia feels far too robust. Puma provides a nice chunk of curled up outsole for the toe cap to protect the front toe area, with extra plastic here around the toes on the uppers.But as miles piled up, the midsole started to reveal itself and proved to work very nicely. The way-too-soft Nitro Foam,which would be inadequate for a trail running shoe, is cradled in the firmer PFilte, which stabilizes the whole thing and creates a nice compromise.