In Jamaica the word Faas means fast, and PUMA's new Faas Collection is out to help runners find their inner speed demon.
After studying some of the fastest runners in the world--specifically their movement, foot placement and overall running technique--PUMA developed a new technology called BioRide for the Faas collection.
For those of us who weren't born with the gifts of Usain Bolt or Haile Gebrselassie, BioRide is meant to help our feet move more like the elites. In other words, the Faas allows the foot to flex naturally, offering a smoother ride and natural stability.
PUMA sent me a pair of hot pink Faas 500s to test, a shoe that is the middle of the new collection in terms of weight and support. The Faas 250 for example, is two ounces lighter, and is advertised as a super minimalist racer.
Weighing in at 7.5 ounces (in a women's size 8), the Faas 500 is three ounces lighter than my everyday trainer, and a ton more fun.
I usually run in a light stability shoe, so I was a little nervous that the Faas 500, a neutral trainer, wouldn't offer enough support. I put the Faas 500 through multiple workouts, and I wasn't disappointed.
I'm a slight over-pronator, and sometimes have IT band issues when I run in neutral shoes. The Faas collection uses something Puma calls Groove, which is a carved out area along the outside of the midsole. It compresses upon impact providing added cushioning. Because there's no Groove on the medial side, the shoe naturally corrects for slight overpronation.
The Fass 500 doesn't provide a lot of support, but if you're a mild overpronator, it may work. I wouldn't, however, recommend them for heavier runners or severe overpronators (Check here for a review of the Faas 800).
In terms of cushioning, the Faas 500 rides a lot like a Cadillac. I liked the plush feel of the shoe, but runners who like a stiffer ride should look elsewhere. The upper is super comfortable, but offers little support.
The Faas 500 fits true to size, but the toe box is a little narrow. If you have a wide forefoot, or like a little more room to spread your toes, you might find the Faas 500 too snug.
In terms of the styling, the faux suede on the upper provides a cool old school look, but the shoes don't breath quite as well as a mesh trainer like the Puma Faas 550.
Check here for a review of the Puma Faas 550.
Overall, the Puma Faas 500 is great lightweight training shoe that's perfect for neutral runners and slight overpronators who are looking for a fun and fast shoe without a lot of extra bells and whistles.
The Puma Faas 500 retails online for $100, and PUMA offers a 30 day risk free guarantee.
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