Latest news with #WouterHoogkamer
Hype Malaysia
30-04-2025
- Hype Malaysia
PUMA's Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 Drops & Launches New Era Of Speed!
Run, don't walk! PUMA has unveiled the much-anticipated Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3, its fastest-ever running shoe, engineered to aid your pursuit of a new personal best. Debuting at the Boston Marathon, Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 combines state-of-the-art technology with cutting-edge design, providing runners a rate of efficiency that could potentially shave minutes off your race day records – evidenced in a research study conducted by the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The study, led by industry specialist Wouter Hoogkamer, concluded that Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 provides 3.15% improved running economy*, which for a three-hour marathon runner translates to an unprecedented potential marathon time saving of more than 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Commenting on the findings, Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Wouter Hoogkamer, who specialises in the biomechanics and energetics of running, said: 'The most striking result from this study was the consistency of the running economy improvements. For every single participant the numbers showed that running was easiest – requiring the least amount of metabolic energy – in the Fast-R 3. This is remarkable. From years of research we know that our lab-measured improvements in running energetics translate to faster race times.' Engineered with elite runners and tested on real athletes, Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 weighs an astonishing 95 grams less than its predecessor. The decoupled midsole has received a fierce upgrade, with a new NITROFOAM™ ELITE compound providing next-level cushion and responsiveness. The restructured PWRPLATE offers unrivalled propulsion and elite efficiency, whilst retaining the silhouettes iconic extension through the forefoot and out past the toe – a unique design and performance benefit that was first introduced in the Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 2. A breathable upper is comprised of premium, lightweight ULTRAWEAVE that ensures comfort and support throughout race day, whilst PUMA's industry leading PUMAGRIP outsole offers multi-surface traction to ensure you make it from start to finish with a new PB front of mind. Romain Girard, VP of Innovation at PUMA said: 'We redefined the creation process to be completely digital. Optimising this approach has resulted in science and data that proves PUMA is not just competing in the running category, we're leading it. This is a truly generational shoe that sets a new standard for the entire category.' Ahead of his appearance at the Boston Marathon, Canadian Olympian Rory Linkletter said: 'Make no mistake, Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 is the most radical ride I've ever experienced, and I have the Strava receipts to prove it. It's certainly the fastest shoe I've ever laced up.' Designed with PB Chasers in mind, Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 will not only be worn by PUMA's elite runners competing at the Boston and London Marathons, it will also be on the feet of 200 PUMA Project3 participants striving to break their personal bests, and the chance to win US$3,000. Rena Elmer, 41 from Texas who is aiming to break 2:30 at the Boston Marathon said: 'It's great! I felt so fast and fluid. Definitely my favourite racing shoe and confident I will get a new PR in them.' Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 is available starting 2nd May in limited quantities at selected PUMA retailers and online for RM1,099.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Puma's Newest Super Shoe Can Purportedly Shave Minutes Off of Your Marathon Time
With the Boston Marathon just days away, Puma is taking the opportunity to introduce its newest super shoe. The Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 comes in 95 grams lighter than its predecessor, and a study commissioned by the company found that the shoe's prototype was 3.15 to 3.62 percent more economical than other super shoes on the market. Over the course of 26 miles, this could translate to saving more than 4 minutes and 30 seconds in time. More from Footwear News Foot Locker Taps Flau'jae Johnson and Puma for 'Stay in Rotation' Campaign Aimed at Gen Z Consumers Puma Promotes Tara McRae to President of North America - She's the First Woman in Company History to Hold the Title A decoupled midsole is made out of a new NitroFoam Elite foam compound, and the PwrPlate has been restructured in a bid for improved propulsion and efficiency while maintaining its conspicuous extension out past the toe. Multi-surface traction is provided by the PumaGrip outsole, and a lightweight UltraWeave upper is tailored to comfort and support. Puma commissioned the University of Massachusetts Amherst to compare the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 prototype with the Nike Alphafly 3, Adidas Adios Pro Evo 1 and Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 2. Wouter Hoogkamer, senior author of the study and head of the UMass Integrative Locomotion Lab, said the difference in running economy for super shoes on the market is typically no more than 1 percent and that the field has plateaued since Nike broke through with a 4 percent improvement on its first Vaporfly. 'The most striking result from this study was the consistency of the running economy improvements,' Hoogkamer said in a press release. 'For every single participant the numbers showed that running was easiest — requiring the least amount of metabolic energy — in the Fast-R 3. This is remarkable. From years of research we know that our lab-measured improvements in running energetics translate to faster race times.' A data-driven computational design process saw Puma's latest super shoe created and revised digitally rather than being made as a physical shoe, tested and tweaked. Before a foot ever went into the shoe, Puma digitally identified optical foam placement, material properties, carbon fiber layering and overall geometry. 'Optimizing this approach has resulted in science and data that proves Puma is not just competing in the running category, we're leading it,' Romain Girard, Puma vice president of Innovation said. 'This is a truly generational shoe that sets a new standard for the entire category.' Puma's team of elite competitors will wear the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 at both the Boston and London Marathons, as will 300 runners chosen from the public to participate in its Project3 training program. The Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 will be available to purchase beginning Friday, April 17, exclusively at Puma's Boston Marathon Experience at 745 Boylston Street. A wider but still limited drop will then follow April 25 through Puma's website and flagship stores, as well as select third-party retailers. Pricing is set at $300. Best of Footwear News Allen Iverson's Reebok Deal: The Details of His Lifetime Contract NBA All-Star Weekend's Most Iconic Sneakers of All Time Super Bowl Halftime Show Shoes Through the Years: From Michael Jackson's Loafers to Rihanna's MM6 Maison Margiela x Salomon Sneakers
Forbes
17-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Puma Unveils Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 Marathon-Ready Super Shoes
Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 Puma has announced its third-generation Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 super shoe range just in time for the major marathon season. Puma claims this is its 'fastest ever running shoe.' And while it retains an eye-opening appearance somewhat similar to that of its predecessors, there have been major improvements to the design, including a 95g drop in weight compared to the previous generation. The key stat claim, which Puma says is backed by a study, is the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 can provide a 3.15% boost to running efficiency, when compared to other top-tier super shoes. 'You're talking about minutes off a marathon time, and I train years to shave a minute off of my marathon time,' says Wouter Hoogkamer, assistant professor of kinesiology at UMass Amherst who led the study. Puma sponsored athletes will wear the shoes during both the Boston and London marathons. The Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 vital statistics include a 40mm heel drop and 170g weight, impressive considering how substantial these shoes appear. They are of course carbon plated shoes, using PWRPlate tech, while the grip is the company's highly regarded signature Pumagrip. Puma says it the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 use a new formulation of the Elite-series Nitro foam. And part of the weight drop appears to be down to a minimal, breathable mesh upper. The shape of the midsole is also less aggressive than in previous generations, with a foam bridge joining the forefoot and rear sections this time. Like every super shoe, the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 does not come cheap at $300 for a pair. That's a $40 jump over the previous generation. This series has been around since 2022, when the original Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite was released for $250. The Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 will be available to buy from April 25, or from Puma's 'Boston Marathon experience' at 745 Boylston Street in Boston from Friday April 18. For the average runner looking for a world-class super shoe, though, the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 may be tricky to get hold of for a while.
