The Optifit loops on the midfoot look like a resurgence of Saucony’s ISOFit tech that disappeared some years ago - and I think for good reason: a good thought after upper is enough to ensure a nice foothold - and the bootie construction of the Puma Voyage clearly delivers in this aspect. Using loops instead of standard eyelets is usually a nice simple way to allow some foot adaptation to a shoe’s fit, but I think that linking them to a piece of fabric going underfoot is not a necessity, and the global efficient fit of the Voyage don’t really need this kind of artifact. Puma could make a major improvement in the future if they widened the toebox to allow for adequate toe splay. Starting from the ground up, PUMAGRIP ATR is the outsole rubber compound which thrives in poor conditions like ice, snow and mud. Another feature of the outsole is the lug design called PWRADAPT. I was unsure about whether it would hold up long term, but they have withstood all of the different terrains and obstacles that I’ve encountered. All are at a similar weight to the Voyage GTX but in non GTX, with the non GTX Voyage coming in an ounce lighter.. We have here a smoother more agile flow forward than those two if with a bit less forefoot cushion but more drop at 8mm for the Voyage vs. 4mm for Xodus and 6mm for TrailFly I appreciate more drop in a big shoe used on firmer terrain. Jeremy: I must confess that it was far from love at first sight with the Voyage GTX. The turquoise colorway is quite bold, but not in a way that I like for running shoes.

Puma Voyage NITRO 2 Review // (Oy!) This is a problem Puma Voyage NITRO 2 Review // (Oy!) This is a problem

I really like the bootie construction, it is soft and comfortable, and if the temperatures allow it, it is a shoe I can wear all day. It is clearly more an all-day winter shoe kind of comfort than a trail runner one, but...it's comfy anyways. I often struggle with cold feet and I can clearly see this shoe becoming my go-to shoe for the coldest days of upcoming winter. Puma isn’t a stranger to trail running, but with the launch of the new Nitro cushioning tech, the company has taken a renewed interest in all things running. This means the trail shoes also get a makeover, with the Puma Voyage Nitro their first big trail release in a while, also the first to feature Nitro in the midsole. Mike P: I took them out for a run - and the whole run I thought the toebox definitely was shallow. Then I noticed when flexing the toe - the bottom of the lace eyelets and the tops of the toe bumper combine to form a crease that presses down right across the top of my toes. I think the pointy shape of the toe box really pushes that crease down. It didn’t cause blisters, but it was definitely uncomfortable. This resulted in restricted movement and caused some serious discomfort on downhill trails. My toes took a pounding and felt like they were jammed into the toebox.

The two loops, one on the tongue and the other one on the heel are helpful to pull them on, but the loop at the base of the heel is still a mystery to me. The lacing is secure, stays tied and does not create pressure points on the top of the foot. The toe box is quite a bit more narrow and shallow than other trail shoes. There was a fair amount of discomfort on my toes as I descended the trail. I would steer runners away from these shoes if they live in areas with a lot of elevation. The shoe could be a toenail destroyer if you use them on the wrong trails. Mike P (10.0): (Xodus 10) Xodus are surprisingly slightly heavier but run much better and are especially adept in more technical terrain. Puma may have a slight edge in forefoot protection, but that’s about it. Jeremy: This is my go-to deep winter running shoe, when snow covers the trails, or when I go running at a ski area. It is more of an all-uses mountain shoe, clearly performance oriented, but not is specifically for running. The fit is really nice (actually there’s a Sense S/Lab upper inside the external cover), it rides a lot firmer than the Puma, and it gets an equally efficient traction and is maybe a bit more effective in snow thanks to its deeper lugs.

Puma | Voyage Nitro Womens Trail Running Shoes | Purple/Black Puma | Voyage Nitro Womens Trail Running Shoes | Purple/Black

Review written on 28th September by Jeremy Yoder Jeremy Yoder lives in Marietta, PA with his wife and 2 kids. In an earlier life, he used running to stay fit for his soccer career, where he was a co Jacob : have been following along with Puma’s recent excellence in the road running shoe realm (such as the Deviate Nitro Elite), but had not tried any Puma Nitro shoe myself. The Voyage Nitro GTX is a Gore-Tex waterproof high-cushion trail shoe which uses Puma’s modern, low density, high-rebound Nitro midsole foam which is cradled by a firmer material called PFlite. It is rare that the first shoe I run in from a brand is a heavy waterproof trail shoe. However, due to where I live in Maine, I have been using a Gore-Tex waterproof shoe for daily wear for the past few weeks and from this time of year (mid fall) all through winter every year. Through fall, winter, and spring, I wear a waterproof trail shoe while out of the house for walking my dog, going to the store, exploring, and other similar things to keep my feet warmer and dry. Thus the Voyage Nitro GTX came in for testing at a great time. Interesting fact: PUMA was the first sports shoe manufacturer in the 1960s to use vulcanisation and compression molding to bind the sole to the upper's structure. What it does is melt the sole material at 200 degrees, place it in a mould and then apply external pressure to fix the uppers. Prior to the discovery of this technology, shoes were usually fastened by mechanical means: nails, threads and screws. Vulcanisation made it possible to reduce the weight of the product and increase its reliability.

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With just a touch of engagement speed, I feel that the combination of the Nitro foam and the EVA carrier works much better and the midsole becomes smoother than at slower paces. And just like in the Puma Velocity Nitro which shares a similar construction, I appreciate that it is not mushy at all. This bit of very discrete firmness helps with stability and gives some energy to the ride. All in all, considering the now comfy fit, very effective traction, smooth ride, I can clearly see myself logging a bunch of my easy miles in them this winter. I usually suffer from very cold feet and the Voyage GTX will be quite a relief in that respect. The NITRO foam midsole also plays a large part in ensuring the bottom of your feet have the protection they need. The laces would seem the only section of the sneaker that may be a bit on the frail side. However, it too is protected around the sides lace loops that don’t expose the edges. This means that even with some friction, it should easily wear and snap in those areas. There aren’t any separated eye stays either. The loops are built into the upper without the additional stitching to integrate.

Puma Voyage Nitro 3 Mens Trail Running Shoes - Blue Puma Voyage Nitro 3 Mens Trail Running Shoes - Blue

Being a trail shoe, I’ve already covered most of the important aspects of what would make it good. The cushioning, the padding, the premium materials and the durable build are all key aspects of designing an outdoor-compatible shoe. However, there is one small aspect that would take it from an average trail shoe to a good one, perhaps even great – its performance. Puma provides a nice chunk of curled up outsole for the toe cap to protect the front toe area, with extra plastic here around the toes on the uppers. The most important factor of its comfort lies in the Nitro foam. This is PUMA’s proprietary foam technology. It is infused with nitrogen to provide both cushioning and responsiveness when moving. In addition to this, it also reduces the overall weight of the shoe. Behind the rich technological content hides another feature: weight. It's 254 grams for the women's 4.5UK and 304 grams for the men's 8UK. These are great results for trail running shoes in principle, especially considering the presence of the GORE-TEX membrane, which structurally adds weight. In this class, better results can only be achieved with more expensive materials and design constraints, which in turn will affect the final price and comfort level. From time to time carriers may deliver earlier or later, or on non working days however this is cannot be guaranteed nor should it be expected.

Jacob : The Voyage Nitro GTX and the Endorphin Trail are in the same category with bouncy foam, max cushion, a rolling ride, high stability, and good road performance. Though it is lighter, the Endorphin Trail feels bulker. The fit of both is comfortable but the Endorphin Trail is higher volume and looser—it is less secure than the Voyage but would probably fit wider feet better. The Endorphin Trail is a fun shoe but I found the wet traction unacceptably bad. Combined with the less secure fit, the Endorphin Trail is a less performant shoe than the Voyage and I would prefer the Voyage for all uses. The fit around the heel, ankle and midfoot is very nice with the integrated bootie construction, but just as Mike, I found the front very pointy, whereas the shoe being the perfect length in my usual 10.5US. I miss some room exactly in the same place as Mike did, around the pinky toe. Jacob : The Voyage GTX replaced the Cascadia as a daily wear (dog walk/adventure, hiking) shoe for me this fall. I like it more than the Cascadia in almost every way. Though they are very similar in weight, the Cascadia feels more like a tank and is much stiffer, both above and below the foot. The Cascadia is roomier and boxier in the toebox which is a major difference and for some foot shapes would be critical to comfort. For my medium width foot it leads to the Cascadia being not as secure. The Cascadia is also not as warm as the Voyage which is overall a negative for me as I use GTX shoes for winter and don’t find the Voyage to be too warm. Traction of the Voyage is better in all conditions and the ride is more fluid and usable on pavement where the Cascadia feels far too robust.

PUMA Fast-Trac Nitro Review – Next-Generation Trailing PUMA Fast-Trac Nitro Review – Next-Generation Trailing

I question the webbing loop around the heel’s utility but appreciated the big tongue reflective highlight.

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Clearly not a speed freak, I find that the sweet spot with the Voyage is around easy-pace and a touch faster. For really easy recovery runs, I find that the midsole does not behave very well with my stride and feels much too firm and rigid for my tastes. It does not roll easily and as you’re running at a very easy pace, you don’t put enough energy in the shoe to make it flex and, I think, stimulate the Nitro core enough for it to provide rebound. Being an outdoor trail shoe, you shouldn’t expect lesser quality when it comes to materials or builds. PUMA has not taken any shortcuts in this regard, with a solid, rugged shoe. Sam: Pandemic supply issues and winter weather had Puma RTR offering the GTX version for our test. I am with the other guys on Gore-Tex in trail runners: walking, day hikes and runs in cold and through snow for me. Otherwise non Gore-Tex as the relative stiffness of such uppers can affect fit and for sure add weight, at least 1 oz. This said the newer Invisible Fit Gore-Tex significantly improves on fit and comfort although the Voyage is a more conventional Gore-Tex inner bootie construction.