This sunny weather can only mean one thing: females will soon be strutting their stuff with next to no clothes on! Sweeping statement aside, it also means that a certain 26.2 mile run is on the horizon.

With the London Marathon taking place this Sunday, Sport Locker thought it was only right to celebrate with a ‘little’ run/jog (well, we’re not going to run the ruddy thing!).

And by no coincidence whatsoever, PUMA sent us in a pair of their new PUMA Faas 500 running shoes to try out!

So we chucked Sam Van Gelder out on the streets and below is how they fared:

The Running Shoe: Puma Faas 500
Colour Tested: High Risk Red/Puma Silver/Fluo Green
Price (RRP): £75

As per usual, cue the technology talk for the shoes first:

• Features a biomechanical design technology exclusive to PUMA, called BioRide™, that provides a naturally responsive ride – helping runners get into their own rhythm for increased speed and performance.
• There are three cornerstones of the the BioRide™ technology and the Faas shoe that were identified as critical to top performance, and have been translated into categories  Rocker, Flex & Groove.

1. First, the best runners reduce their amount of time on the ground, making for faster runs and faster times. The Faas Collection incorporates a continuous, rocker-shape outsole which provides smooth touchdown and effortless transition, providing runners with a natural ride and less time on the ground.
2. Second, they do not waste motion. 360 degree flex grooves are placed in key areas throughout the Faas shoes; these flex grooves respond specifically to how the runner’s foot moves, providing a truly unique and responsive ride.
3. Lastly, these world-renowned athletes are incredibly aware of the ground, which allows the foot to react instinctively to keep them stable. The Faas shoes have a horizontal groove that runs the lateral side of the shoe. Regardless of how a runner’s foot hits the ground, this groove will provide them with natural stability.

And if you are struggling to visualize just how the above words translate into making for an effective running shoe, then do not fear.

This video will show you exactly how the BioRide technology really works:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX1HpVjrKXQ&NR=1

About the Faas collection

The PUMA Faas collection is a fun, innovative and technologically advanced range of running shoes.

The BioRide technology featured in the Faas shoes spent years in development.  PUMA took a look at some of the fastest athletes affiliated with the brand and studied their movement, foot placement and overall running skills – so there’s been plenty of work put into these bad boys!

PUMA Running have also recognised that every runner is unique and not one runner needs the same as another.

To help runners find the best Faas style to suit their needs, PUMA assigned each style a number, ranging from 100 to 1000. The lower number models, such as the Faas 300, have less cushioning and less structure, providing a lightweight, fast-paced trainer.

As the number gets higher, additional cushioning and structure is added to the shoe.

The Faas 500

So this means, in terms of the trainer I’m reviewing, the Faas 500, should be perfect everyday neutral trainers.

Falling right in the middle of the Faas range’s numerical scale, the Faas 500 has a complimentary balance of added structure and cushioning to provide a comfortable run with improved speed and performance.

Initial Impression

As I took the Faas 500s out of the box, the first thing to grab your attention is certainly the colour. You can’t miss these! The bright red colourway with fluorescent yellow sole makes for a certainly eye-catching piece of footwear.

But they do beg the question – are these just another ‘fashion’ running shoe from PUMA? The brand does seem to focus a lot on football boots and fashion footwear, and perhaps not enough on out-and-out running shoes.

That said, however, despite looking like a nice casual running shoe that could also be worn with a pair of jeans, the Faas 500s on first impression look as if they could change the above trend.

What’s more, with the word ‘faas’ meaning fast in Jamaican, I couldn’t wait to see if they made me run any quicker!

Time to put them on, then.

On they go!

What’s immediately apparent is just how comfortable they are – there is a plush feel to them. They are nice and soft but also quite snug and secure.

The midfoot is nice and wide as is the toe box, something which can really make for a good running shoe.

Despite the heel cup not appearing to be the most traditional (i.e. there is no hard plastic) they still feel sturdy but most importantly, flexible.

Ready…steady…go!

And after running just a few yards it was also evident that they offer good cushioning – not too soft or too firm. A very good neutral runner some would say!

I mentioned in my intro that I would go for a ‘little’ run.  I believe this to be around the five mile mark (a little less than a fifth of the London Marathon).

This gave me plenty of time to test out the BioRide technology, and how or if it can impact your casual runner like myself.

BioRide = a good stride forward

The whole point of the technology is to help our feet move more like the elite athletes.

So I thought it would be a good idea to review the three categories that make up the BioRide technology.

In terms of the Rocker it was amazing to feel the sense of how the foot is propelled in a forward motion from heel to toe. It really does feel like you get that extra injection with every stride – something that I have never experienced before in a running shoe.

As for the Flex it is supposed to allow your foot to do a bit more work with each individual foot strike. Now I couldn’t say I felt that as tangibly as I did the rocker technology, but it certainly made for a comfortable run.

And lastly, the Groove part of the technology is meant to allow the shoe to shape to the ground and better react to every foot strike. Again this was a little hard to test out but I was certainly impressed with the overall performance of the running shoe here.

Aftershock (not the drink)…

Granted, I didn’t run a great distance. But I’m pleased to report back that I had no problems with soreness or aching in the knees or back on the following day!

The Result

A thoroughly enjoyable ride, PUMA! The PUMA Faas 500 is the ideal lightweight trainer/racer for neutral runners. Despite only running for about five miles in the first instance, I’m extremely confident that they suit runs for distances both short and long.

It really is a running shoe for everyone.

What’s more, the sole will get more flexible with the more mileage you put into them and the fact that you can wear them out on the town as well only heightens their appeal.

And one thing is for sure, you will certainly be able to chase after those scantily clad females no problem!

For more information, visit www.puma.com/running