LetsRun.com
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| rojo co-founder |
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As many of you know, the Puma designers and product line managers for their award winning Faas line of shoes are going to brave the LRC messageboard today through Thursday to answer your questions about the brand. They got started answering questions on the front page yesterday - http://www.letsrun.com/2012/faas-answers-0108.php - and are continuing today through Thursday on the We've already received a huge response in pre-submitted questions. To get things started, we've paste five of them below and they'll be answered, but if you have a new question, feel free to fire away. -Robert PS. Are you interested in trying out the Puma Faas line? Well you are in luck as now is the perfect time to shop away as they are having a semi-annual sale with prices up to 40% off. To take advantage of the sale click here PPS. More info on the Faas line can be found here: http://www.puma.com/running/faas |
| teddy |
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I've never worn Puma shoes before. Why should I switch from my current trainers (Mizuno Wave Rider) to a shoe in the Faas line? |
| Carabyrdd |
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I am really enjoying running in your Faas 500s. I just want to know why you chose to exclude a heel cup. It takes forever to put the shoe on..Cara |
| Daviddw |
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I've worn the faas 300, I liked the idea behind the shoe but there were a couple of issues, I felt the forefoot was a little too narrow and the cushioning was so soft it bottomed out a little (I'm only 140lbs). Are there plans to make any changes in the near future? The main question for me is how commited to running is puma? Is this a real attempt at a consistent product line for the long haul? Or is it another short lived attempt to get in on the running Market, like sponsoring a host of kenyans in the mid 90s, the disc, the puma cell etc... I love the idea of the faas they look like true running shoes and they are simple and well designed, it's a sound approach but how long will puma stick around for in the serious running Market? |
| I like running Faas |
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I've been wearing the Faas 300 now for the last 5 months in addition to another brand of lightweight shoes . I've mostly worn the 300 for tempos/speed (mostly on the treadmill, sometimes on the track) I've done up to 18, 19, 20, 22 miles (again on the treadmill ) but have raced a 10k and a half marathon with success. The more I wear the Faas shoes the I want to race in them. The other shoe, I've been wearing them for about two years and used to use them for ALL runs/races. Now, I just use them for long runs (outside on a soft packed trail) and for other outdoor runs. I've been averaging about 70+ miles per week for the last few months leading up to a marathon that I will be running in couple weeks. I also wear custom orthotics with my shoes without problems. Have been injury free... My question, I'm not sure if the 300s are meant for long distance training or running but I'm leaning towards wanting to wear them for the upcoming race, would I be fine to wear them or should I stick with my other brand shoe for the marathon since I've run 2 marathons in them before. I tried the other Faas line with more cushion but did not feel as comfortable in them. Can you explain or suggest which line of shoes have been used for training or races? Also, does the 300s not have a medial post in them? I think my other shoe does or can you explain if any of the Faas line does or not. One last question (sorry..) I really like the feel of 300s, the material , the response of it and the very lightweight feel of the shoe if somehow it was built to have little more cushion for longer and heavier workouts? Thanks in advance. |
| MHolik |
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I have been running for 30 years at the high school, college, post-collegiate level and been coaching high school kids for last 10 years. I have also been wearing Brooks shoes for more than 10 years. Why should I switch what I knows works for me to go with an upstart company who seems to be based around Usain Bolt not distance runners? Cheers. |
Nikhil Jain Sr. Product Line Manager Performance Running More info here |
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Hi Cara, Glad you are enjoying running in the Faas 500s. When you say heel cup, i'm assuming you are referring to a heel counter. With Faas being more of a minimal running line of shoes versus a more traditional line we wanted to provide the runner with a more minimal ride so chose to not include a heel counter in the Faas 500s. A few of our Faas shoes do have a thin and minimal counter for runners who do need a minimal amount of support. Not sure why not having a heel counter would make it longer to get the shoe on so i'm curious to know what the issue is. Thanks |
| Shoe Lover |
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What should I study to become a shoe designer? Physics? Mechanical engineering? |
| Nikhil Jain Sr. Product Line Manager Performance Running More info here |
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Hi Teddy, Thanks for the question. The Faas line of shoes are a great line of lightweight training and racing shoes, so one of the reasons to switch would be the lighter weight aspect. The Faas line of shoes also features Faas Foam (a unique blend of EVA and rubber) that provides a minimal yet cushioned ride. All that being said it's important that you choose the correct model and the best way would be to visit a Run Specialty store that carries Puma running shoes. The Wave Riders are a great shoe, but if you are looking to try a Faas shoe you could explore the Faas 550. It's a neutral training shoe as well, lighter and more minimal in construction. Since it's more minimal (in the upper and midsole construction) you might need to transition to the shoe versus making a direct switch. Hope this helps and all the best. |
| Nikhil Jain Sr. Product Line Manager Performance Running More info here |
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Hi David and thanks for the great question. Sorry that the Faas 300 did not fit your foot type as well as you had hoped and that you weren't happy with the cushioning. As far as changes to the Faas 300 - the fit/last on the shoe is not changing in the near future, however when we update the shoe we will look at the feedback with regard to the cushioning and make upgrades where relevant. Thanks so much for the feedback. To answer your next question - an emphatic YES....Puma is 150% committed to the running category as well as the Faas line of shoes for the long haul. You will see consistency within Puma's Faas collection over the next few seasons and all of us at Puma hope that all the runners out there enjoy the product we provide you. |
| flywirer |
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I can't imagine myself ever racing again in anything other than Nike Victories or Matumbos. The flywire is simply incredible. What kind of racing shoes does Puma have? What can you tell me that would make me consider switching from the spikes I already love? |
| long time PUMA wearer |
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It would be a good idea to find out how long PUMA plans on being committed to the distance running line......They have a habit of doing something "quick" in running then exiting even quicker. |
Steven Keating Creative Directing Manager Performance Running More info here |
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Hi Shoe Lover, Most footwear designers study Industrial Design. This combines mechanical engineering and design to create nice looking functional product. Art Center College of Design in California and RISD in Rhode Island have great programs, but there are great programs all over the country. If you happen to find a program at a school that also offers mechanical engineering and biomechanics courses I would urge you to learn as much about these things as you can. I hope that helps and good luck if you decide to pursue this career path. |
| questionable |
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Yes, PUMA, can you tell us if you plan on doing any "sponsorship" of runners or running events? You want our money, but the"give back" to the sport is questionable.... |
| InWyo |
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How are your shoes segmented. Do you have any shoes appropriate for pronators or are your shoes designed in a similar fashion as the Nike Lunar Series, or are they just minimal/neutral trainers? |
| Nikhil Jain Sr. Product Line Manager Performance Running More info here |
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Hi MHolik, Switching from one brand to another all depends on the runner. There are various schools of thought - one of them being if it ain't broke don't fix it.....so you could stick with Brooks which is a great brand. That being said there are also benefits of mixing up your running shoes so that you use different muscles in the feet and strengthen them...e.g. your everyday training shoe 5 times a week and a minimal running shoe once or twice a week; or just mixing up different training shoes every week for muscle confusion. Specific to Puma running - we do have a few shoes and spikes that are built specifically for Usain or designed with him being the inspiration, however by no means is the Puma running line solely based on or built for Usain. The Faas line of shoes comprise of training and racing shoes and the majority are built for distance runners. The benefit of Faas over some of the competitor shoes is that it's lighter, more minimal and has a really smooth transition through the gait cycle. Cheers |
| I recommend |
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Mt. Sac Invitational http://events.mtsac.edu/ccinvite/ Boilermaker http://www.boilermaker.com/ Hustle up the Hancock http://hustleupthehancock.org/ Delilah DeCrescenzo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delilah_DiCrescenzo Adams State Cross Country http://www.puma.com/running/news/pumas-own-adams-state-wins-3rd-straight-ncaa-xc-championship |
Joanna Murphy Product Line Manager Performance Running More info here |
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Hi "I like running Faas", That's great that you're enjoying the Faas 300. And 'props' for being able to run 22 miles on the treadmill...I'm going crazy on the treadmill after 30 minutes! The 300 (along with the Faas 250) was designed as a racing flat ideal for 5K-half marathon distances. It is a low profile, lightweght performance shoe with a 6mm heel to toe difference with no medial post. Whether or not you should run in the 300s for the marathon is entirely dependent on your own biomechanics and gait efficiency. If you are able to run 22 miles in them without problems then they could work for you as a racing flat for future marathons. However, I am reluctant to endorse any drastic or risky change when it comes to racing. As a competetive runner, I am very conservative about changing footwear or training elements that I know have worked in the past without substantial time to adapt and adjust. I would recommend transitioning into the 300s as a primary racing flat for your NEXT marathon and feeling out how you respond to trying the 300 in a few long runs or race simulation workouts before switching over completely. If you feel like you need a little more cushion underfoot you could try the Faas 400, which is a lightweight performance trainer that is still lower profile than the Faas 500 (more of an everyday trainer). Hope this helps and good luck in your marathon! |
| Steven Keating Creative Directing Manager Performance Running More info here |
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Hi long time PUMA wearer, First off, great name. Secondly, the team here at Puma is committed distance running for the long haul. The running team is made up of distance runners (some more elite than others) and we are fully committed to building a long lineage of great running shoes. We're currently working on our Autumn Winter 2013 running line and I can tell you that FAAS is just becoming a larger part of our focus. Our goal is to build the line in a way that offers consistency for runners like yourself that are already wearing FAAS, but also expanding the line for runners that are looking for something new. I can't say too much about where the line is headed, but I can tell you that the FAAS philosophy of less is more design and engineering will be consistent for a very long time. Thanks for the question and the support. |
| long time PUMA wearer |
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Probably been wearing PUMA running before you were born......Anyway, good to hear that PUMA is committed to their running line now! Seems in the past, they would get a good product, do it for a year or two, then go do something else.....Would be nice to see some more "functional running clothing" so that teams and clubs can be outfitted..... |