A Stability Running Shoe That’s Actually Cute: Puma’s Faas 800
Faaster! Faaster! That’s pretty much what I hear in my head when I lace up a pair of Puma’s Faas 800 ($100), which the company sent me to test out at few months ago. My husband and resident Fit Bottomed Dude Ryan already shared a few of his thoughts on Puma’s Men’s Faas 550 (also a running shoe), so I thought I’d bust down my opinion of this running shoes for the ladies.
First of all, it’s a stability shoe made for the overpronators of the world. Luckily, I have a fairly neutral footstrike, so I can get away with wearing just about any kind of shoe (lately I’ve been digging on the minimal ones, although I’ll admit that they’re not ideal for longer runs). However, I do have a teensy-weensy bit of overpronation wear on the soles of my running shoes, meaning that a little stabilization would probably help me out when I’m strictly running. However, I generally stay away from stability shoes because they feel so heavy. And—yes, I’ll admit—aren’t always cute. (Hey, I know “look” is a minor thing when it comes to comfort and preventing injury, but it’s a serious bonus when you actually like the look of your shoes!) But these stability shoes? Well, they’re a far cry from the orthotics you usually see.
Lighter and more flexible than most stability shoes, the Puma Faas 800 is actually cute. With a high medial sidewall plus flex grooves, these shoes help your feet land where they’re supposed to, and they kind of propel you forward when you run, which is nice. With a higher, snugger fit in the heel, I did tend to have a little blistering on the back of my foot, although I chalk this more up to me not fully needing a stability shoe than anything else. (However, if you’re prone to getting blisters, you’ll definitely want to try these on in a store to see how they feel for you. Everyone’s feet are different!) I also really liked the mesh upper and the suede (the pink on the shoe)—fun, comfy and breathable details.
So, if you’re in the market for a new stability running shoe check these out. And let us know if they make you faaster, faaster, too! —Jenn