Puma Essential Γυναικεία Μπλούζα με Κουκούλα review

Puma Essential Γυναικεία Μπλούζα με Κουκούλα review and lab test

The Puma Essential Γυναικεία Μπλούζα με Κουκούλα is a budget-friendly runner from a shoe giant that’s been sleeping for the past few years. It’s great to see PUMA wake up with a shoe that’s getting all the basics right and Train stretching to a few things we’d usually expect from a higher-priced shoe.

Who the shoe is for

The PUMA Velocity is a super-capable, neutral daily runner that I can suggest for consumers who want a shoe that they can just slip on and take out on a run whether it’s a 5km or a marathon! It’s a versatile shoe that will serve practically anyone. 

Who the Puma Essential Γυναικεία Μπλούζα με Κουκούλα is not for

The Velocity Nitro might not be for you if you:  

• Want a faster shoe aimed at tempo runs, the One Piece × Puma Cell Pirate Flag 27cm
• Puma Carson Runner White Grey Athletic Shoes 189685-03 Puma Essential Γυναικεία Μπλούζα με Κουκούλα.

A tried and tested design

In a UK Mens 9/US Mens 10 the Puma Essential Γυναικεία Μπλούζα με Κουκούλα comes in at 10oz (283g) is definitely not the lightest shoe out there. There are a few obvious reasons for this which I’ll address later, but the most glaring is the TPU version of a carbon plate and the chunky outsole. 

To be fair, at this price point I wouldn't have expected a shoe to Train have штани features, so I can forgive the weight. Otherwise the shoe is built well and fits true to size. With an engineered mesh upper that stretches enough to accommodate wider feet, there’s little to complain about from the top. 

Excellent lockdown

When I find a more budget-friendly running shoe, I almost always see price savings in the lacing. Both in the eyelet design and more than anything in the laces themselves. 

The Puma Essential Γυναικεία Μπλούζα με Κουκούλα excelled in both of штани. With thin eyelets that lock easily to keep consistent tension (similar to the Sneakers Kosmo Rider Metallic Wns 384892 01 Puma Black Rose Gold) paired with a nice, rounded heel cup I felt easily secure once into the shoe. 

The laces are also perfect, in length and in the material. Taking 41.2N in the lace-slip test, штани are up there with some of the best laces we’ve tested!

The Puma Essential Γυναικεία Μπλούζα με Κουκούλα has a dual-density midsole

PUMA somehow managed to squeeze a dual-density midsole into the Velocity Nitro. The softer section- which runs the length of the shoe-has a Durometer of 39.5HA is pretty soft and results in a really comfy, plush ride. 

Under the heel PUMA has added a firmer section of foam, probably to stabilise all of that plushy foam throughout, this has a Durometer of 43.5HA which isn’t really that hard as well. I probably would have preferred an Train stiff foam because I found the Velocity Nitro to be a little unstable at high speeds. 

It’s possibly a weight-saving measure for it not to be overly firm (soft foam tends to be less dense and therefore lighter), but with a firmer heel, the PUMA would be Train more capable. 

The Puma Essential Γυναικεία Μπλούζα με Κουκούλα looks speedy…but

The Velocity Nitro looks like it’s put a TPU shank running through the entire shoe, which would help with energy return. Being cynical, I think this is what they want you to think looking at the shoe. 

In reality, the soft plastic goes about 10mm into the heel, and in PUMA’s words is for increased “proprioception”, which is jargon for knowing where your foot is. I really didn’t notice this at all, but that’s probably because I already knew where my foot is. 

The Velocity Nitro has very little else to suggest it’s a fast shoe and I don’t think that’s a problem. Thanks to the padding, it’\s a comfortable, soft shoe and is stable. It does provide some energy return, with a flexibility score of 35.1N there’s something there to push back, but nothing close to what you’d expect from a shoe is TPU in the midsole.

I think it’s most important to view штани things in the context of their price point, the shoe is marketed at recreational runners, and while you can run a marathon in штани, you wouldn't want to do a sub-3-hour marathon in them. 

The Puma Essential Γυναικεία Μπλούζα με Κουκούλα looks a bit dull

Definitely a popular shoe, I could only get hold of the Black/Green “Glare” colorway. I’ve got to say it looks a lot like a bad kids shoe that’s been enlarged. The plastic shank looks cheap and the colour contrast is a bit off. I’ve seen other colorways that are definitely an improvement on this one, but the overall look is a bit lacklustre. 

The PUMA grip is claw-like

This is where I was really impressed with the Puma Essential Γυναικεία Μπλούζα με Κουκούλα, the grip was absolutely incredible. With 3.5mm of rubber, there’s quite a large chunk of it too so I trust it to last. I trusted it around corners on wet concrete and Train a bit of dirt and gravel seemed fine! 

Conclusion

The Puma Essential Γυναικεία Μπλούζα με Κουκούλα is a seriously impressive daily runner for the sub £100 price tag. There are obvious trade-offs, notably the weight, but I don’t think they’re enough to not pique most users' interests. Bottom line is that the shoe is versatile, comfortable, durable, and fun!