Details
Brand
Puma
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
10/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Comfortable but responsive dual-layer midsole with a lot of techs• Highly breathable mesh upper with a comfortable foam structure• Thick but not heavy outsole for extra protection and padding• The stylish trainer that looks sleek and feels lightweight• Long-lasting traction that performs in both wet and dry conditions
Upper
Known for producing stylish trainers, Puma puts a lot of stock in designing uppers that are both attractive and perform well. In the Faas 600 v2, Puma updated the see-through upper mesh, which provides breathability and structure to the upper while also making it a stylish enough looking shoe for everyday non-running wear. This weaved mesh design is optimized for ventilation and to provide a snug glove-like fit around the foot while a foam material provides structure and additional comfort. Additionally, the upper employs Puma’s EverFit 2.0 Technology in the midfoot, which improves the overall security of the foot after lace -up.
Midsole
One of the major selling points in the Faas 600 v2 is its level of comfort it purports to deliver. For this, Puma made the midsole is comprised by two dual layers: the FaasFoam Lite, which provides support and cushioning, and the FaasFoam Infinity, which is for responsiveness and resilience. In addition, Puma’s Faas Engineered Stability Zone is in the centre of the midsole to add overall stability to the shoe. With all of the focus and attention Puma put on the midsole of the Faas 600 v2, a runner may think the ride is going to be too plush, but instead, runners have found the feel surprisingly firm. Although the foot is comfortable, there’s no lack of responsiveness in the midsole, which speaks highly of the attention to detail Puma had put into this edition’s midsole.
Outsole
Made from Puma’s EverTrack+ rubber in its high-wear areas, the outsole of the Faas 600 v2 is made for long-lasting durability. Even after many miles have been put on the shoe, there will be little loss of traction. However, the smaller rubber pods on the outsole are prone to wear. The middle of the outsole is left open with Faas foam, most likely to cut down on the overall weight, but there have been complaints that these areas an easily collect small rocks. However, this may not be a problem if you’re planning on running on mostly clean pavement or track surfaces. Also, this is part of what Puma had initially planned for the Faas 600 v2: to cut out what they consider “unnecessary” parts of the shoe. Providing excellent traction in both wet and dry conditions, the rubber of the outsole is much thicker than the previous version of the Puma Faas 600. Made to last and providing a good amount of stability, this is an outsole that may wear slightly as time goes on but continues to provide a good deal of traction.
Breathability
Puma updated the upper of the Faas 600 v2 by adding a see-through weave mesh that provides maximum breathability. While the upper’s structure is made of a thin foam, this does not prohibit ventilation, as most of the upper is made of the weaved mesh material. Providing as much breathability as possible while still providing cover and protection, the Faas 600 v2 will keep a foot cool and dry throughout a ride.
Comfort
From the dual midsole that provides comfortable but firm support to the foam that gives the upper structure while also cradling the foot, the Faas 600 v2 is a very comfortable shoe–as Puma designed to be. Its overall upper design is to wrap around the foot to provide a secure fit while its midsole is constructed of both FaasFoam Lite for cushioning and FaasFoam Infinity for responsiveness.
Style
One thing Puma always seems to deliver in their shoe lines is style, and the Faas 600 v2 is no different. Its thick outsole provides a powerful-looking base to the shoe while the see-through mesh upper has Puma’s three-line logo overlaid on the side like racing stripes, giving the shoe a sleek appeal. The mesh, which comes in a variety of vibrant colors, covers the foam structure that provides the Faas 600 v2 with its structure and gives this trainer a lightweight look, counterbalancing the weighty look of the outsole. Meanwhile, the upper’s toe is covered by a rigid rubber cover that provides protection and brings some balance to its overall aesthetic.
Durability
The Faas 600 v2 is made of sturdy stuff built to last even after the wear and tear of heavy use. In an update from the previous edition, Puma made the outsole thicker, which provides more overall stability while also covering the heel and forefoot with EverTrack+ rubber so the traction is still there long after first step-in. Meanwhile, the see-through weave mesh of the upper is made of wear-resistant synthetic nylon and the foam rib cage that provides the structure is equally long-lasting. With a rubber guard covering the toe of the upper, the Faas 600 v2 is strategically constructed so that high wear areas remain intact even after miles and miles after first lace-up.
Protection
While the Faas 600 v2 has been designed for the high-wear areas to be well-protected–from a wide rubber brim that covers the toe of the upper to the thick outsole to the EverTrack+ rubber that covers the forefoot and heel of the outsole–this shoe has a mostly mesh upper with a foam rib cage. As such, stepping in a puddle may get your feet wet and it will not provide much protection from the harsher elements. Even small rocks may get stuck in areas of its outsole that have exposed foam. In other words, this is not a trail running shoe. While the traction of the outsole will keep its grip in slick conditions, the runner may get their feet damp in the rain.
Responsiveness
Although this show was designed specifically with comfort in mind, runners shouldn’t fear that this will take away from its responsiveness. The dual layer midsole is made from two separate elements–the FaasFoam Lite, which provides the cushioning, and the FaasFoam Infinity, which provides responsiveness. Together, the trainer provides a comfortable–but not too plush–ride while the FaasFoam Infinity provides a great amount of responsiveness with every adjustment and footfall.
Support
As a neutral running shoe, the Faas 600 v2 provides nominal support. Its neutral arch support is standard and its comfortable midsole also gives a fair amount of support for runners who need a little extra cushion in their running shoe. However, it’s not specifically a support shoe.
Terrain
The good news: the Faas 600 v2 provides great traction whether in dry or wet conditions. If you’re taking a run after a downpour or out on the hottest, driest day of the year, this shoe will keep its grip on the road and also provide a well-ventilated, breezy ride. The bad news: while this shoe has a thick, durable outsole, its upper is mostly an open mesh, which means during active rainfall or in extreme weather conditions such as the snow or cold, your foot may be wet or freezing as a result. However, for the runner looking for a lightweight trainer that’s ultra-breathable while also being able to perform on potentially slick surfaces, the Faas 600 v2 will perform well–just don’t take a jog in the snow with it on.
Price
One surprising fact about the Faas 600 v2 is its very affordable. Although Puma makes some expensive, high-end lines of running shoes, this one is loaded with tech that boosts stability, comfort, and responsiveness without a heavy cost. For a daily running shoe that performs without the high price, this one’s a bargain.
Drop
With a drop of 8mm from heel to toe, the Faas 600 v2 is just slightly lower than most running shoes but still is well within the lines of the standard drop most runners are accustomed to, this is not a zero drop shoe.
Stability
Its thicker outsole provides a good amount of overall stability to the Faas 600 v2, as does Puma’s Faas Engineered Stability Zone in the centre of the midsole, which adds further control and stability. However, this is designed for runners with a neutral pronation and is not specifically a stability shoe.
Flexibility
With the update to the Faas 600 v2, Puma made the outsole much thicker than the original version, which has taken away some of its flexibility. However, the redesigned upper, which is made of a highly breathable mesh, is very flexible and conforms after lace-up to fit the foot like a glove.
Traction
Having designed the outsole with the highest wear-and-tear sections covered in EverTrack+ rubber, this shoe keeps its traction long after first step-in. While some of the smaller traction pods may wear down, the rest of the outsole keeps its grip for a long time.
Bottom Line
Puma always seems to strive for improvement with each edition, and with the Faas 600 v2, they again tweak a pair slightly between versions to get a little closer to perfection. With this version, the upper has been stripped down to bare essentials, made mostly of see-through mesh, to provide a highly breathable trainer, while the outsole is a little thicker than before to provide more stability and traction.;Stylish and affordable, the Faas 600 v2 has a few downsides–particularly that it lacks much protection to harsher environs and although comfortable, it is not as plush as some runners may expect–it is still a sturdy, lightweight shoe that can take on a daily run.
