We’ve been putting the PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 through its paces for almost two weeks now, logging miles on treadmills, tracks, and sidewalks all over town. The fourth version of PUMA’s daily trainer brings some legit upgrades to the table, and after testing dozens of shoes this year, we’re genuinely impressed with what the big cat delivered this time around. At $140, it’s sitting in that sweet spot where you’re not breaking the bank but you’re still getting legitimate performance. Let’s break down whether this shoe deserves a spot in your rotation.
Specifications
The Velocity NITRO 4 comes in at 8.0 oz for men and 6.8 oz for women, which is notably lighter than version 3. We’re talking a full slab of NITROFOAM throughout the midsole now instead of the dual-density setup from previous generations. Stack height sits at 36mm in the heel and 26mm in the forefoot, giving us that traditional 10mm drop that many runners are comfortable with. PUMA didn’t mess with what worked here—same geometry as version 3, just executed better with the new foam configuration. The PUMAGRIP outsole returns with its sticky rubber compound that’s honestly become legendary in the running world. Price-wise, you’re looking at $140, which puts it right alongside the Nike Pegasus 41 and Asics Novablast 5.
Design
Right out of the box, the Velocity NITRO 4 looks sharp. We tested the black, silver and white colorway, and while PUMA sometimes gets a little wild with their designs, this one hits the mark. The engineered mesh upper features PUMA’s PWRTAPE overlays for structure without adding unnecessary weight. It’s a moderately thick mesh that breathes well—we ran through some brutal July heat and never felt like our feet were cooking inside an oven. The toe box opens up nicely compared to version 3, giving our toes room to spread out naturally during the push-off phase.
The gusseted tongue is thin and lightly padded with perforations for airflow. There’s this vertical logo patch that doubles as padding, and while it looks a bit odd initially, it actually works well once you’re laced up. The heel collar has substantial padding without feeling bulky, and there’s a high, stiff heel counter that locks everything in place. We noticed generous rubber coverage along the heel that pairs with the soft NITROFOAM underneath to create surprisingly stable landings. The overall construction feels premium without being overdone—PUMA clearly spent time refining the materials here.
Fit
Here’s where we need to be straight with you: this shoe runs just a bit narrow, especially through the midfoot. If you’ve got wider feet, you’re probably going to struggle with these. PUMA offers a wide option in one colorway, so check that out if you need extra room. For us with average to narrow feet though, the fit is absolutely dialed. The midfoot wraps with this suction-like grip that’s rare to find in running shoes—it’s performance-oriented lockdown without being constricting.
The shoe runs true to size lengthwise, so stick with your normal running shoe size. The toe box is more accommodating than version 3, which is a welcome change. We didn’t experience any pressure on toenails even during longer runs. The heel lock is exceptional—deep padding and that stiff counter mean zero slipping during our entire testing period. Some of us were initially worried about how high the tongue sits, but it never bothered the front of our ankles during runs. After over 30 miles, everything stayed exactly where it should with no hot spots or rubbing issues.
Ride
The ride on the Velocity NITRO 4 is where things get interesting. Instead of following the current trend of aggressive rocker geometries, PUMA went with a slightly flatter, more traditional platform. Don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s boring—this setup actually creates a really engaging running experience. The full bed of NITROFOAM feels seamless underfoot, shifting effortlessly between easy recovery pace and faster tempo work.
We logged everything from casual 5-10 mile runs to speed training track sessions and 3-5 mile tempo efforts in these shoes. The foam has this goldilocks quality—not too soft, not too firm—that allows it to handle multiple paces without compromise. It’s bouncy enough to keep things lively but stable enough to lock into a rhythm when you’re pushing the pace. As forefoot strikers, we noticed slightly more ground contact than expected since there’s less padding under the forefoot than the heel, but it never compromised comfort or confidence.
The 10mm drop provides solid cushioning in the heel, which heel strikers will appreciate. The energy return is noticeable, especially during those uptempo miles. While it doesn’t have that aggressive propulsion of super trainers or carbon-plated racers, it doesn’t feel muted or dead either. PUMA threaded the needle here, creating a traditional daily trainer that’s actually fun to run in.
Performance
We put the Velocity NITRO 4 through every type of run we could think of. Easy recovery miles? Check. Weekend long runs up to 15 miles? Check. Track intervals and tempo efforts? Absolutely. This shoe handled everything we threw at it without breaking a sweat. The lightweight construction (we’re talking over an ounce lighter than version 3) means you can pick up the pace without feeling like you’re fighting the shoe.
During our track sessions, we hit 5K pace repeats and the shoe responded beautifully. Sure, we’d probably grab something with a plate for race day, but for daily speed work, these delivered. The stable platform gave us confidence through corners, and the responsive foam returned energy on the straightaways. For long runs, the comfort held up mile after mile. We never felt that urge to rip the shoes off immediately after finishing, which is always a good sign.
The versatility here is the real selling point. If you’re only going to own one pair of running shoes, the Velocity NITRO 4 could legitimately be it. It’s not the absolute best at any one thing, but it’s really good at everything. That’s exactly what you want from a daily trainer.
Ventilation
The reengineered mesh upper is legitimately breathable. We’re not just throwing that word around—we ran multiple sessions in 65+ degree weather with medium humidity, and our feet stayed relatively comfortable throughout. The perforations in the tongue add extra airflow, and the engineered mesh itself allows heat to escape rather than trapping it inside. After runs, our socks weren’t soaked like they are with some other trainers. PUMA clearly prioritized breathability in this update, and it shows in real-world performance.
Rooms for Improvement
Look, no shoe is perfect, and the Velocity NITRO 4 has a couple areas where PUMA could make improvements. First up: that narrow midfoot. We mentioned it in the fit section, but it bears repeating—if you’ve got wider feet or higher volume feet, these probably aren’t for you.
The generous rubber coverage on the outsole is great for durability and grip, but we can feel the density of that rubber pulling us down slightly with each stride. The shoe is already light, but shaving off a touch of rubber in the forefoot might make it feel even more nimble without sacrificing too much durability. It’s a minor point, but worth mentioning.
Experience Wearing In the Gym
We threw these on for some weightlifting sessions to see how they’d perform off the roads and tracks. For most standard gym work—overhead presses, rows, curls, that kind of thing—the Velocity NITRO 4 provided solid stability. The flat platform and decent ground contact work well when you need a stable base. However, when it came time for leg day, particularly heavy squats and deadlifts, we’d recommend switching to something with a flatter sole and firmer base. The PUMA Fuse 4.0 or PWR Hybrid are better suited for those movements. The NITROFOAM, while excellent for running, compresses too much under heavy loads for optimal lifting performance. Keep these for your cardio and upper body days, and grab dedicated lifting shoes for the heavy leg work.
Bottom Line
The PUMA Velocity NITRO 4 is a legitimate contender in the daily trainer category. At $140, it’s competitively priced and delivers performance that punches above its weight class. The full NITROFOAM midsole upgrade makes a noticeable difference over version 3, creating a lighter, livelier shoe that still maintains that versatile daily trainer character. The PUMAGRIP outsole continues to be the best in the business—sticky, durable, and confidence-inspiring in any conditions.
We logged over 30 miles in our pair during testing, and after every run, we found ourselves reaching for them again. That’s the ultimate test of a good running shoe—when you have dozens of options but keep coming back to one pair because it just feels right. The narrow fit will limit who can wear these comfortably, but for runners with average to narrow feet looking for a do-everything trainer that won’t drain their wallet, the Velocity NITRO 4 is an easy recommendation.
Is it the absolute best shoe at any one specific thing? No. But it’s really good at everything, and that versatility combined with the solid build quality and reasonable price makes it one of the best values in running shoes right now. Whether you’re a beginner building up mileage or an experienced runner looking for a reliable daily trainer to handle the bulk of your training, the Velocity NITRO 4 deserves serious consideration. PUMA kicked it out of the soccer stadium with this one.
