There are two kinds of folks who are into sneakers. Some are keen on the look and feel and (often) the limited-edition nature of their shoes. Then some are all about the utility. Puma’s Fast-R 2 Nitro Elite, an update on the original Fast-R lineup, offers its adherents both.

How? The Fast-R 2 Nitro Elite will drop a limited edition of its new high-tech running shoe before releasing a more general (and psychedelic) version in February 2024. If you’re one of those limited-edition folks, the Fast-R 2 Nitro Elite Ekiden Rush edition launches in very limited numbers tomorrow, 8 December.

Fast-R 2 your destination

There are just 1,000 pairs of the Ekiden Rush shoes hitting the market tomorrow, split between Puma’s online store, selected retailers, and some global stores. If you’re fast enough, and have R7,000 on hand, you could snag a pair of the running shoes released to honour the Japanese running event. An ekiden, in case you’re mystified, is a longer race that’s run in stages by a team of multiple runners.

It’s not all about the somewhat offbeat running event, of course. Puma’s new shoes promise improved performance for wearers, thanks to increased energy storage per stride (22% more, according to Puma) and a 46% increase in energy return. In cold numbers, the brand reckons runners capable of a 3h30.00 marathon will see themselves saving almost two-and-a-half minutes with the Fast-R 2 shoes on their feel. 2h30.00 marathon runners will trim a little over eighty seconds from their times. Not that they need the help.

The shoe’s design, helped along by a carbon plate that runs the length of the sole, propels runners forward while increasing surface contact. The Ekiden Rush (and its February 2024 successor, the Psychedelic Rush) uses a new upper that’s 20% lighter while the sole compresses and releases when in motion, launching runners forward toward new personal bests. Just… don’t neglect your training days. Those help too, we’re told.