TRIED & TESTED
Bon Voyage !
Some years back – I think it was around 2005 , if memory serves – PUMA introduced a new trail running shoe called the TrailFox . It was brownish colour with eye-catching yellow pull-outs , and it had a sleek racing build and an amazingly lugged outsole that gripped for Africa . In short , it was a fantastic shoe ! But my widish feet found the shoe a wee bit tight , as PUMA had built it on a slimmer last ( footbed ). Still , I really liked running in the TrailFox thanks to the sure traction and grip it provided , and it felt really fast .
Since then , PUMA appears to have focused on its road shoes , going through several midsole or propulsion technologies to arrive at its current – and very popular – nitrogeninfused Nitro midsole foam tech , with an embedded Innoplate in some models like the Deviate Nitro . These shoes have received glowing reviews from many wear-testers , myself included , so when I heard that PUMA had rolled out Nitro foam in a new trail shoe , the Voyage Nitro , I was keen to give them a try .
The heel-to-toe drop is a standard 10mm , and the shoe weighs 304 grams ( men ’ s UK 8 sample ) and 254g ( women ’ s UK 5 ), which is also pretty standard stuff . The black and orange men ’ s design is certainly eye-catching , and in my books , it ’ s a good-looking shoe . I know PUMA prefers only putting its trademark Form-Strip on the outer side of its shoes , but I would actually like to see it on both sides , as I find the inner side a bit empty . But I stress , that ’ s a personal preference , and my main focus was on the cushioning , not the looks .
WELL CUSHIONED RIDE
The two-part midsole features Nitro foam sections under the heel and the forefoot , held in place by a larger full-length ProFoam Lite layer of blown rubber . Both provide cushioning and shock-absorption , but while the Nitro provides the squishier cushioning , the ProFoam provides more structure and midfoot support . In other words , if the entire midsole were made from Nitro , the shoe would likely be too squishy for technical trail running , where the foot is asked to land at odd angles and the ankle flexes more with each foot-strike .
The Nitro foam rubber is infused with nitrogen through an innovative process that makes it possible to combine three key benefits for the runner : Responsiveness , cushioning and extremely light weight , for a more effortless run . A full Nitro midsole works well on a road shoe , but a trail shoe does require a bit more structure , hence the ProFoam , and I found that the combination worked really well .
Given my positive reviews of PUMA ’ s Nitro road shoes , I was keen to try out the new PUMA Voyage Nitro trail shoe , and other than a slightly tight fit , I really enjoyed the experience . – BY SEAN FALCONER
The outsole is another are where PUMA really have gotten it right . The harder-wearing , more durable PUMAgrip outsole features really effective arrow-shaped lugs with a sticky rubber exterior , which provide terrific grip and traction on rough terrain and rocks . The lugs thin out towards the toe area , thus giving you a slightly cleaner , closer to the ground feel that enhances your connection with the trail when you need it most , and I found I really enjoyed this aspect of the shoe . The outsole rubber also wraps up over the toes to provide a great toe bumper in the forefoot , which I quickly came to appreciate when I nearly tripped on a tree root . Really must look where I am going !
SLIGHTLY TIGHT FOR ME
The mono-mesh upper was the one area where the shoe didn ’ t quite suit my feet , at first , because PUMA has once again gone for a narrower fit , which is compounded by the single piece upper having a wrap-around tongue unit and low-boot collar for a glove-like fit . That means the shoe is great at keeping most of the grit and dust out , but it takes some proverbial ‘ elbow grease ’ to get my feet into these shoes . I found the forefoot a bit tight at first , but with time it does stretch a little bit and became more comfortable . I know all too well that I have widish feet , so not every shoe design works for me , and you , too , will have to try the shoe on and see how it feels on your feet .
The upper design includes OPTIFIT technology , which is basically the two orange threepronged tabs running up from the midsole to form the centre lacing eyelet around the bridge of the foot , and when you tighten the laces , these tabs hug your foot , effectively locking it in place on top of the midsole . I also found that the ankle collar area provides a great lockdown feeling , thanks to the bootie construction , but the extra padding in the Achilles area ensured my feet were comfortable and protected .
Good news for female trail runners is that just like the Nitro road shoes , the women ’ s version of the Voyage Nitro has been built with a narrower heel , lower in-step and sculpted arch to better conform to the female foot . Obviously , that won ’ t work for every woman out there , so go try the shoe on to see how it feels for you .
GET IT HERE
The Puma Voyage Nitro retails for R2799 and is available on PUMA . com , as well from PUMA stores , Totalsports , Cape Union Mart and select retailers .
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