Details
Brand
Puma
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
10/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• EVERTRACK high-abrasion resistant rubber components• EVERTRACK rubber outsole adds extra cushioning while keeping the weight low• Forefoot flex grooves allow the foot to push for takeoffs• Lateral release grooves slow over-pronation and provide a smooth ride• Decoupled heel allows gradual transitions from heel strike to midstance• Faas Foam one-piece midsole is lightweight, responsive, durable, and gives smooth transitions• Ortholite Sockliner for fit, comfort, and air circulation• 4mm drop
Upper
The upper is made of textile, synthetic, and mesh. Mesh covers most of the upper for breathability, with overlays to add structure. The durable Ortholite Sockliner gives a customized, comfortable fit and allows air to circulate around the foot. The laces give a snug fit. The roomy toe box allows free movement to push off during runs. The tongue and collar are padded for comfort and support. The back of the shoe extends above the heel and uses thicker material which provides some stability to the back of the foot. The design uses reflective material for visibility in low-light conditions, and the lack of stitching reduces the risk of irritation.
Midsole
The midsole is a single piece of Faas Foam. It is lightweight, durable, responsive, and provides a smooth ride. The foam is flexible enough to allow comfortable movement during the gait cycle. It gives a stability level of arch support suitable for mild to moderate over-pronators with medium arches. The Faas Foam absorbs water during rainy or humid weather. Reviewers liked the midsole but wanted a little more cushioning, especially in the heel.
Outsole
The outsole is made of blown rubber. It uses EVERTRACK components that resist abrasion, and the main EVERTRACK outsole adds cushioning and saves weight. The bottom of the shoe has treads for gripping roads, forefoot grooves for takeoffs, and lateral release grooves that slow over-pronation and provide smooth transitions. The decoupled heel allows gradual transitions to midstance. The outsole extends to the toe area of the upper for protection against stubbing. The outsole provides some support to the bottom of the foot and is flexible enough for daily runs.
Breathability
The Puma Faas 500 v2 has good breathability except in wet or humid weather. The mesh has lots of holes to allow air to flow in and out of the shoe. The Ortholite Sockliner is also breathable, allowing air to flow around the foot in order to keep it cool and dry. The upper does not use stitching in order to reduce the risk of blisters and hot spots by allowing air to flow more easily. Problems with breathability come from the Faas Foam midsole, which absorbs water during wet or humid weather.
Comfort
This shoe received mixed reviews on comfort. The EVERTRACK technology in the outsole adds cushioning to the rubber. The midsole has a piece of Faas Foam to cushion landings and arch support to improve the fit for runners with medium arches. The midsole absorbs water, making the shoe uncomfortable to wear in rainy or in hot, humid weather. Reviewers also noted that the heel could use more cushioning and that they could sometimes feel objects on the ground. The fit was well-liked by testers. The upper has an Ortholite Sockliner for a customized fit, laces for a snug fit, and padding in the tongue and collar. The mesh and sockliner allow air to flow into the shoe and around the foot, keeping it cool and dry. The no-stitch design reduces the risk of blisters and hot spots. The toe box is roomy, which was comfortable for runners with medium to wide feet, but runners with narrow feet thought it was too wide. The high back of the shoe caused irritation in the heel of some runners, and a few reviewers experienced laces coming untied easily and/or a sliding tongue.
Style
The design aesthetic is similar to other Puma Faas shoes. Currently available styles are Tradewinds for men, and Clematis Blue/Fluorescent Yellow/Black and Virtual Pink/Open Pink for women. Previously available styles include Brilliant Blue and Blue Curacao/Twilight Blue for men, and Grey Dawn, Blackberry, and White/Atlantis/Fluorescent Yellow for women. The styles were very popular with most reviewers, although a few though the colors were too bright. The shoe uses reflective materials for visibility during low-light conditions such as fog, early mornings, and evenings. Because it’s an older shoe, not all sizes and styles are available anymore.
Durability
The outsole and midsole received positive reviews for durability, while some reviewers experienced wearing in the mesh after several runs. The outsole uses EVERTRACK high-abrasion rubber in high-impact areas and a softer rubber on the inside to cushion landings. The midsole’s Faas Foam maintains its cushioning and responsiveness for many miles. The upper’s synthetic and textile material is durable, but the mesh can wear out after several runs in high impact areas like the region near the toes. On the inside, the sockliner has fast material regeneration that adds to its durability.
Protection
The Puma Faas 500 v2 offers some protection. The outsole’s high-abrasion EVERTRACK rubber protects the shoe from impact, and the extension that covers the toe protects against accidental stubbing. The lateral release grooves help slow over-pronation. The midsole’s Faas Foam cushions landings and protects joints from feeling the impact. It also has a medium level of arch support to protect from rolling and over-pronation. The upper protects against the cold and wind, the breathability protects against the heat, and the padding and thick material help protect the heel from impact and ankle from rolling. The shoe does not protect against wet or humid conditions, and the thin rubber and foam do not protect well against feeling objects on the ground.
Responsiveness
The Faas 500 v2 is a responsive shoe that gives runners a smooth ride. The EVERTRACK technology in the outsole cushions landings and bounces back. The bottom of the shoe also has forefoot flex grooves for easy takeoffs and lateral release grooves create a compression/release cycle that gives smooth transitions. The decoupled heel makes transitioning from heel to midstance smooth and easy, but it can be slow at times. The Faas Foam in the midsole adds a springy feel. The mesh and synthetic material move with the foot and the sockliner hugs the foot as it moves. The roomy toe box also helps make takeoffs easier, and the super-low drop promotes a more natural running form.
Support
Although listed as a neutral shoe, the Puma Faas 500 v2 provides some support for over-pronation. The outsole and midsole support the foot from below. The midsole also gives a stability level of arch support for over-pronators with medium arches. The upper gives a light level of support to the top of the foot, with padding in the tongue and collar, as well as thicker material in the heel and a higher-rise shoe design for a little extra support.
Terrain
The Faas 500 v2 is a road running shoe. It has treads that can grip hard surfaces such as dirt or paved roads, paths, or light trails. It does not have lugs for going on soft surfaces, heavy trails, or technical terrain. The lack of spikes tells users not to go on snow, ice, or slippery terrain.
Price
At its original price, the Puma Faas 500 v2 was at the lower end of the average price range for a neutral road running shoe. The price seems fair because it has some features that help over-pronators, but does not have as much cushioning as some other shoes. Currently, retailers are selling the shoe between half price and 20% more than its original price. The shoe has been discontinued, and most sizes are no longer available. Potential buyers who cannot find the shoe in their size or preferred color should look for the Puma Faas 500 v4 or Puma Faas 600.
Drop
The shoe has a drop of 4mm, which is one-third of the standard drop of 12mm. A lower drop shoe has more even padding around the foot, promotes a more midfoot strike and more natural running form, and strengthens muscles and joints. Although many runners prefer the more natural feel of a lower drop, some runners who are used to a higher drop have been known to experience knee pain or shin splints while adjusting to a lower drop.
Stability
The Puma Faas 500 v2 is a neutral shoe with enough stability for mild to moderate over-pronators. The outsole has lateral release grooves to slow over-pronation and a decoupled heel to help stabilize the back of the foot and make transitions more gradual. The midsole has a stability level of arch support, helping over-pronators with medium arches. The upper has padding in the tongue and collar, as well as thicker material that goes up higher on the foot than other shoes in order to give some stability to the heel.
Flexibility
The Faas 500 v2 is a fairly flexible shoe. The outsole has two sets of grooves: forefoot flex grooves that give flexibility in the forefoot, and lateral release grooves that slow over-pronation and improve transitions. The midsole’s Faas Foam is flexible enough to allow the foot to comfortably land and push off again. The upper moves with the foot, with the sockliner giving a customized form-fit. Taking away from flexibility are the stiffness in the heel and the arch support. The shoe is flexible enough for comfortable movement, although possibly too flexible in the outsole/midsole because it is either too thin or not stiff enough to protect users from feeling objects on the ground.
Traction
The treads allow users to get good traction on hard surfaces. Users can go on daily runs on sidewalks, around tracks, and even paths and light trails. The decoupled heel’s deeper treads, as well as the patterns in the forefoot, improve traction on those parts of the shoe. Users can get good traction going uphill or downhill on hard surfaces without slipping or sliding. The shoe does not have aggressive lugs for technical terrain, nor spikes that would allow users to get good traction on snow, ice, or slippery surfaces.
Bottom Line
The Puma Faas 500 v2 is a good daily training shoe. It’s reasonably priced, fits comfortably, and is light enough to wear on longer runs or as an everyday shoe. The rides are smooth and transitions are comfortable but sometimes slow. It has some arch support and is stable enough for mild or moderate over-pronation. It has decent durability and flexibility. The Faas design is popular and the reflective materials allow users to run in early mornings, evenings, or fog. Possible areas for improvement include making the midsole water-resistant, adding more cushioning to protect against feeling the ground, improving the durability in the mesh, offering narrow size options, and either additional cushioning around the heel or making the back lower to avoid irritation. In short, this shoe is good for daily runs but might feel a little slow when trying to pick up speed.
