Working at Women’s Health, I get to test A LOT of gear (let’s just call it a necessary perk of the job). However… nothing gets me more excited than new running shoes. So, when I was asked if I was interested in testing out the new PUMA Hybrid NX TZ trainers I was like: ??????. I hadn’t done a proper run in a while and this was all the motivation I needed to get back ‘out there’.
When the Hybrid’s landed on my desk I was very excited — personally, I’ve always been a fan of PUMA’s running shoes. I tried them on immediately, obviously.
My first impressions:
- They weigh nothing
- Foam seems bouncy
- Comfy sock-like fit (perfect. I have tiny feet)
- Love the colourway
I won’t lie… after trying them on in the office I had high hopes that they would live up to expectation when I hit the treadmill and tarmac. So, after putting these shoes through their paces, here are my official thoughts on the PUMA Hybrid NX TZ’s:
READ MORE: 7 Things You Need To Look At When Buying A New Pair Of Running Shoes
1. They’re as light as air
Wait, what sorcery is this? How is it even possible for a shoe to be this light?! Seriously though, these might be the lightest running shoes I’ve ever worn. The sleek, light-weight design didn’t leave my legs feeling ‘heavy’ during my road run and they made running uphill way more enjoyable. This brings me to my next point…
2. You’ll feel like you’re floating on a cloud
This shoe has combined PUMA’s IGNITE FOAM and NRGY beads tech to really give you a cushy run that helps you power through those last couple of kays. I found the neutral running shoe to be incredibly responsive (this is a big win for me). It also has great grip — the outsole is coated in rubber so there’s no slippin’ and slidin’ on the sweaty treadmill or the road.
3. They don’t rub you the wrong way
There have been times where hard new running shoes have wrecked my feet (hello blisters, my old friend). I experienced zero friction during my runs in these trainers. The Hybrid NX TZ’s are made using PUMA’s evoKNIT upper tech which gives these shoes a comfortable, sock-like fit. Now, if you’re worried that sock-type fabric isn’t going to give you enough support during a run, you’ll be happy to hear that the dynamic lacing and moulded heel give your foot all the extra support it needs. My feet are small and pretty narrow to boot, and my feet didn’t slide around in these at all.
Final thoughts: I’d say that these shoes are perfect if you’re: a newbie runner, looking to crank out a PB at your Saturday ParkRun or are training for your next 10km race.
If that sounds like you and you need a new pair of kicks, then you’re in luck… because we’re giving away three pairs! To enter, all you have to do is fill in your details below and answer the question. Yup, that’s it.
This competition is now closed.
PS: You can find these new PUMA running shoes in stores right now (stores like PUMA stores, Edgars, Superbalist, Studio 88, Totalsports, and Takealot for example) and they’ll set you back R1 699.
