evoSPEED Long Distance Nitro Elite 2
Nitro foam long-distance spike with full-length Pebax plate
Today's tracked prices
- 01AmazonDEAL6d ago£69.50£140.00−50%
- 02SportsShoesLIVE£69.99£140.00−50%
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Price history
Our verdict
The Puma evoSPEED Long Distance Nitro Elite 2 is a purpose-built track racing spike for the longer end of the programme, the 5000m and 10000m, where you want propulsion that lasts and a plate that stays snappy lap after lap. This is not a road shoe you can jog to the start line in. It is a lightweight, aggressive distance spike with Nitro foam underfoot and a full-length Pebax plate driving you onto your toes. In our view Puma has aimed this squarely at the club and elite track runner who has moved past pure middle-distance and needs a spike that rewards a smooth, sustained turnover rather than a raw 800m kick. If you race the track regularly and want a genuine alternative to the usual Nike Dragonfly and adidas options, it belongs on your shortlist. For road racing or any training mileage, look elsewhere: this is a race-day spike and nothing else.
Key features
- Full-length Pebax plateRuns the length of the spike and snaps you through toe-off, holding its pop lap after lap so you keep getting return deep into a 5000m or 10000m
- Nitro foamAdds a hint of cushioning most bare distance spikes lack, taking the sting out of the track to keep your legs fresher through the closing laps
- Long-distance spike platePositions the pins to bite hard on the track so you can corner and drive off the bend with confidence
- Race-day lockdown upperWraps the foot closely with almost no dead space, keeping you planted over the plate when you push the pace
- Low, lightweight buildKeeps you close to the track and quick underfoot so nothing gets between your effort and the surface
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Track 5000m and 10000m racers who want a plate that lasts the full distance
- Club and elite distance runners chasing a track personal best
- Neutral, efficient runners with strong late-race form
- Runners wanting a Puma alternative to the usual distance spikes
Who should not buy it
- You have a wider foot and need a roomier fit
- You overpronate or need any structured support
- You want a spike for middle distance where a firmer bare plate suits better
- You are after anything you can train or road race in
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
Distance spikes run tight by design, and the evoSPEED Long Distance is no exception. Expect a locked-down, race-day fit that wraps the foot closely with very little dead space, which is exactly what you want when you are cornering hard at pace. Most runners will find it true to size, but the fit is narrow, so if you have a wider foot or you race in thicker socks you may want to try before you commit or size up a half. The heel hold is secure and the midfoot lockdown is snug, keeping the foot planted over the plate. Because a spike is worn for a race and a warm-up, not for hours, a slightly snug feel is normal and preferable to any slippage. If you are between sizes and plan to wear thin racing socks, stay true to size. If you are unsure, the safer move is to try it on before race day rather than discover the fit mid-heat.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
On the track this spike feels quick and direct. The Nitro foam gives a touch more give than a bare traditional distance spike, so the ride is firm and responsive without being punishing over 25 laps of a 10000m. The full-length Pebax plate is the star: it holds its snap and rolls you through toe-off cleanly, rewarding a runner who can hold form deep into a race. Get on your toes and settle into rhythm and it comes alive. Drop your cadence or heel-strike and you lose most of what it offers. It is not a spike that flatters a tiring, sloppy stride, but for a runner grinding out an even, sustained effort it keeps returning energy where you need it.
Cushioning
By spike standards there is a meaningful amount of protection here, which is the whole point of a long-distance model over a bare middle-distance plate. The Nitro foam takes enough sting out of the track to keep your legs fresher through the closing laps of a 5000m or 10000m without adding bulk or blunting the response. Do not mistake this for a cushioned shoe in any everyday sense. It is minimal, firm and race-focused, with just enough underfoot to let you sustain pace over the longer distances rather than protect you on a training run. Judged as a distance spike, the balance of protection and speed is well pitched.
Stability
This is a neutral racing spike with no added support features, and that is correct for the category. Stability on the track comes from the spike plate and pins biting the surface, plus the snug upper holding your foot centred over the platform, rather than from any medial post. The low, close-to-track feel keeps you connected and confident through bends. It suits an efficient, neutral runner with the strength and form to race on a firm, aggressive platform. If you need genuine motion control or you are prone to overpronation under fatigue, a spike like this will not correct it, and no distance spike really will. Come to it with track-ready mechanics.
Upper & comfort
The upper is a thin, race-first affair built to save weight and lock the foot down rather than to pamper it. It wraps snugly, holds through corners and breathes well for hard efforts on a warm track. As with any spike, there is little padding, so comfort comes from the precise fit rather than from cushioning around the ankle or tongue. Worn with thin racing socks for a warm-up and a race it is comfortable enough for its job. It is not built for long wear, and it does not need to be.
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Race |
| Surface | Track |
| Weight | 150g |
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | No |
