The Puma Faas Design Team Answers Your Questions (Jan. 10-12)

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.

long time PUMA wearer wrote:

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.

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.

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.....

Why is the entire lineup of FAAS shoes so inconsistent in forefoot width? Or am I just getting an odd pair? I've tried them all and found that the 400 was an awesome everyday trainer because of the lightweight and relatively good cushioning. Nice wide forefoot. The others are too narrow. 250, 300, 350 - all too narrow (with the 250 ridiculously so). 500 was pretty good in this regard but just too heavy.

I love the neutral, lightweight racing bent you've taken with this lineup but maybe add just a little width?

What's the heel/forefoot offset of the Faas line and where does Puma stand on minimal movement. Are any 4mm trainers (not racers) expected or even zero drop shoes?

HealingTheFoot wrote:

What's the heel/forefoot offset of the Faas line and where does Puma stand on minimal movement. Are any 4mm trainers (not racers) expected or even zero drop shoes?

Hi HealingTheFoot,

Joanna's post speaks to the current styles and heel to toe drops. We do have a Faas 350 with a 4mm heel to toe drop planned for the fall so keep a look out for that. Can't comment yet on zero drop shoes but do know a lot of brands either have some or are planning to introduce the same.

As far as where Puma stands on the minimal movement - we feel it's here to stay and is influencing traditional running and will continue to do so. That being said it's a transition from traditional shoes to more minimal shoes that a runner needs to make. You really shouldn't be making a direct switch in a day.

Where does Puma stand on the use of there products by the consumers? For the people who would like to try and switch to a more minimalist shoe, numerous scientific studies are being released saying that people are switching over to quickly leading to high injury rates.

So the questions: What is Puma doing, if anything to educate the consumer on the proper way to break in the shoe?

2) What is Puma suggested mileage out of the shoe for different foot strikers.

3) What is your personal take on the current peer-reviewed research being released?

and Finally: Why should I consider buying the shoe?

Can we expect any distance track spikes associated with the Faas line? I have heard that Puma will soon release a spike clearly designed to compete with Nike Victories.

Flatulus wrote:

Why is the entire lineup of FAAS shoes so inconsistent in forefoot width? Or am I just getting an odd pair? I've tried them all and found that the 400 was an awesome everyday trainer because of the lightweight and relatively good cushioning. Nice wide forefoot. The others are too narrow. 250, 300, 350 - all too narrow (with the 250 ridiculously so). 500 was pretty good in this regard but just too heavy.

I love the neutral, lightweight racing bent you've taken with this lineup but maybe add just a little width?

Hi Flatulus,

I'm glad you like the line so far! The Faas 250 and 300 are narrower through the forefoot and heel for a snugger fit. The Faas 400 is has a snugger heel and wider forefoot, while the Faas 500 and 550 has a wider fit in general.

Most of the discussion of this forum has been surrounding the Faas line, but if you like the fit of the Faas 400 you might also like the Ryjin and Fuujin shoes. The Ryjin is a lightweight performance trainer and the Fuujin is a racing flat. They both will fit similar to the Faas 400, but the 400 (being in the Faas line)has a more minimal upper and a one-piece midsole, so won't fit exactly the same. Give them a try and see what you think!

Ms. Joanna,

Where can I buy the 400. Thanks.

As an engineering student, innovation in running shoe technologies has always been an interest of mine. How does one go about getting into the field of footwear development/engineering for a running (or other branch of athletics) company? Did you guys start with Puma and running, or did you explore other areas first?

heyyo wrote:

Ms. Joanna,

Where can I buy the 400. Thanks.

Not sure what stores have them but you can purchase them online at the Puma store for a ridiculous 40% off.

(Full disclouse: I think that link generates a letsrun commision but am not 100% certain).

In December when the shoes were also on a big discount, I purchased three of them including one pair of the 400s, which are my favorite. The 250 are more like flats.

I've got some photos up with my impressions here:

It's a bit confusing to me to figure out what Faas # is the best shoe for you so go here for more info:

I wore the blue 400s to practice today and two of the kids on the team (one boy and one girl) who I hadn't seen since before xmas said unsolicited, "Nice shoes coach" and "Looking good."

It looks the blue ones are hot sellers as they are out of my size online. Maybe I'll go with grey.

Thanks Rojo. I've run through three pairs of 500s and figured I'd try the 400. They aren't listed on the usual online retailers I use.

Puma people, should i buy the same size in the 400 as the 500?

I like the FAAS300; light, flexible, good for faster running. But why does the insole slide to the front of the shoe so easily? It always ends up (and this is after 5k or so, bunched up around my toes and I have to stop to sort it out. That's my only gripe, other than that the shoes are great.

I make foot contact in the mid-foot / fore-foot area. Why don't running shoe companies place a more durable outer sole at this point of contact?

heyyo wrote:

Puma people, should i buy the same size in the 400 as the 500?

Heyyo,

The Faas 400 will be slightly wider in the forefoot than the 500, but the lengths are the same. You can order the same size as you would in the 500.

The Red Panda wrote:

I make foot contact in the mid-foot / fore-foot area. Why don't running shoe companies place a more durable outer sole at this point of contact?

The Red Panda,

Very good question and i'm interested to know whether you have always been a midfoot/forefoot area.

I can't speak to what all the running brands do with the durability of the outsole in the area you are talking about, however I do think it's a balance between durability and feel. The last thing a runner wants is for the initial point of contact to feel extremely hard and the more durable the rubber/outsole the harder it will feel. Engineering will help to some extent but in the end you'll be able to feel the outsole if it's too hard. On the other hand you don't want your shoes falling apart prematurely either so that's where running brands look to strike a balance.

Finally I do have to mention that each runner is different and there are a number of criteria that play a part in how fast the midfoot/forefoot section wears out. You might have one runner who wears out that section over 200 miles where as another runner might be able to get to 600 miles.

Larry Sellers wrote:

Can we expect any distance track spikes associated with the Faas line? I have heard that Puma will soon release a spike clearly designed to compete with Nike Victories.

Hi Larry,

In AU12 we will be releasing a long distance and a middle distance spike that will be very lightweight with minimal uppers.