In the past two months I have thoroughly tested the Puma FAAS 300v3 (third generation) running sneakers. They are designed for urban running so I tested them thoroughly on asphalts at different distances. As I’m writing this review they passed 142 kilometers of test.
Puma primarily intended FAAS 300v3 for running lengths between 5 and 10 km. I had no problem with them at a much greater distance and eventually ran two half marathons in them. The main reason why these shoes are recommended for shorter running lengths are the thin soles-especially in the toe area where soles are thinnest.
Design
The tested FAAS 300v3 model came in blue/blue/peach color combination that looks very effective, yet not too colorful. In the last couple of years the trend is to have running shoes in very “bright” colors so that designers have a lot more options for presenting very interesting and sometimes incompatible color combinations.
The first thing that you can see on sneakers is that the front of the shoe doesn’t have any seams. Everything is made from one part of the net-like material that allows the passage of air to the foot during sports activities. Because the sneaker is very breathable, the foot doesn’t heat up. Running in the rain may be the only problem because droplets easily penetrate through the mesh. My advice is to avoid running in them while it is raining.
The tongue is very thin and you can’t feel it while running. Recently, the market has more popular sneaker with an integrated tongue but personally I prefer the classic cut-out tongue that can easily be adjusted. The laces are very well designed and firmly lock the foot. During testing I didn’t experience any random untying.
In the tongue area and on each side on the Puma logo are reflective elements so sneakers are clearly visible in the dark.
Soles
As I mentioned in the introduction, due to their thin soles FAAS 300v3 fall into minimalist shoes category. The soles are made from FAASFOAM+ material which is a mixture of rubber and foam. Therefore, the soles are very flexible and quickly adapt to the foot. After only two to three trainings you can have a similar feeling to barefoot running.
Those who want even thinner soles with a greater feeling of barefoot running can choose the FAAS 100 model which has a thinner sole and places the foot even closer to the ground.
In the front of the soles are EverRide+ rubber parts that prevent slippage and allow the shoes to adhere well to the ground. During testing I haven’t noticed that EverRide+ parts have any tearing and after almost 150 kilometers they were the same as at the beginning. It certainly gives a big plus for the soles durability.
The heel area contains EverTrack rubber that is also highly abrasion resistant and has good durability. The heel drop is 8 millimeters. Those runners who are running more on heels should keep in mind that the soles absorb shock a little less. During testing I didn’t encounter problems with any pain. I think that Puma FAAS 300v3 is better choice for those runners who are running more on toes.
Final Word
Although the Puma FAAS 300v3 sneakers are primarily designed for running length up to 10 km, they can, without any problems, be used for longer distances. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for their first minimalist running shoes. Certainly one of the biggest advantages of this running sneakers is the price that is almost more than half than competitive models .
Sneaker on puma.com — $90.00
A big thanks to @PUMARunning for providing this product and @PuraPuma for help with translation.