Products
Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Sep 01, 2026 08:13 PM
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PUMA
Tested using Methodology v0.15
Updated Sep 10, 2026 05:37 PM
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Asics.com
Heel Stack Height
29.1 mm
Weight
127.1 g (4.48 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.5 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Heel Stack Height
28.4 mm
Weight
126.1 g (4.45 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.4 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2
ASICS METASLEEK
The ASICS METASLEEK and PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 have similar stack heights and weights but serve different purposes. The ASICS is the better strength-building tool for intervals and other workouts, with a more natural and flexible ride from its unplated construction, though the PUMA is more stable. The PUMA is the better race-day option if you’re chasing a 5K or 10K personal best, as its plate and more pronounced rocker create a much snappier, more assisted ride.
Variants
- Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 (Light Lavender/Ultra Red - (Men - US 9))
- Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 (Light Lavender/Ultra Red - (Women - US 7))
- METASLEEK (Black/White - (Men - US 9))
- METASLEEK (Black/White - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
6.5
6.0
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
8.3
4.2
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
7.2
2.3
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
9.7
9.7
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
127.1 g (4.48 oz)
126.1 g (4.45 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
29.1 mm
28.4 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
20.6 mm
20.0 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.5 mm
8.4 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.0 mm
8.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
73 mm (2.9")
70 mm (2.8")
Outsole Arch Width
51 mm (2.0")
65 mm (2.6")
Outsole Forefoot Width
99 mm (3.9")
105 mm (4.1")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.51
2.46
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.81
5.25
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
265 mm (10.4")
268 mm (10.6")
Internal Heel Width
59 mm (2.3")
54 mm (2.1")
Internal Forefoot Width
85 mm (3.3")
88 mm (3.5")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.3
9.7
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-1.7 mm (-0.065")
0.3 mm (0.010")
Toe TTS Deviation
-1.5 mm (-0.059")
-1.6 mm (-0.064")
Forefoot Fit: Height
5.2
7.3
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-5.7 mm (-0.222")
-3.3 mm (-0.129")
Arch Fit: Width
10
6.3
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
0.2 mm (0.007")
-5.5 mm (-0.215")
Length Fit
7.0
7.0
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
7.3
3.3
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
19 mm (0.7")
6 mm (0.2")
Heel Apex Position
16.8%
15.3%
Heel Rocker Angle
22.4°
8.5°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
6.2
5.5
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
42 mm (1.7")
37 mm (1.5")
Toe Apex Position
59.9%
57.9%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
20.9°
18.6°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
Nitrofoam Elite
FF TURBO²
Primary Foam Type
A-TPU
A-TPU
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
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Lace Type
Sawtooth
Sawtooth
Width
4.0 mm (0.2")
5.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.1 mm (0.0")
1.2 mm (0.0")
Stretch
10.0%
11.0%
Breathability
9.0
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
Upper Microscope Photo
Time-To-Dry
9.0
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
3.4 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
10.7 hrs
Time To Dry
19.4 hrs
Water Absorption
8.6
Dry Weight Photo
Wet Weight Photo
Water Absorbed
34.4%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
Carbon Fiber
None
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
8.3
8.6
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
82.8%
84.3%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
8.5
8.1
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
83.7%
81.6%
Heel Cushioning
5.9
6.2
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.35 J
3.45 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
7.59 J
7.90 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
11.55 J
12.06 J
Forefoot Cushioning
5.5
5.2
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
3.72 J
3.50 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
5.84 J
5.69 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
8.15 J
7.91 J
Heel Firmness
8.3
8.5
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
41.8 N/mm
44.5 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
59.1 N/mm
60.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
88.9 N/mm
90.5 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
9.2
9.6
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
66.1 N/mm
79.9 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
91.6 N/mm
106.8 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
131 N/mm
151 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
4.7
4.8
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
5.24 J
5.35 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
5.09 J
5.24 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
4.99 J
5.15 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
4.92 J
5.08 J
Rocker Stiffness
5.1
4.4
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
45 N
35 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
8.3
4.2
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
74.4%
54.1%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
7.2
2.3
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
16.0 N/mm
1.1 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
242 N
157 N
Heel Compression Depth
5.6
5.4
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
13.2 mm
12.4 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
18.6 mm
18.1 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
21.4 mm
21.0 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
4.9
4.2
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
12.1 mm
10.0 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
14.2 mm
12.2 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
15.6 mm
13.5 mm
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PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2
ASICS METASLEEK
Comments
PUMA Fast-FWD NITRO Elite 2 vs ASICS METASLEEK: Main Discussion
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