Earlier in 2025, PUMA expanded its running collection with the latest iteration of the Fast-R NITRO Elite 3, which resembled something straight out of a sci-fi film. This weekend marks the release and debut of the PUMA FAST-XP range – looking like something straight out of The Matrix.
In 2003, Warner Bros. Pictures released the anime feature film The Animatrix, which showcased nine animated short films with varying art styles and storylines. The FAST-XP collection appears to have been picked straight out of the “World Record” short film, featuring a track athlete who breaks the 100m sprint record and, in doing so, manages to escape the matrix briefly.
The FAST-XP collection was launched in Tokyo, ahead of the World Athletics Championship. It forms part of PUMA’s larger DIGITOKYO collection of running shoes. The new lineup showcases that PUMA isn’t afraid to push the envelope with its radical creations, featuring hybrid innovation that has been specifically designed for speed and performance.
Earlier this week, PUMA highlighted the possibility that its 100m star athlete, Usain Bolt, could’ve run even faster with the improved running spike technology on display on modern shoes. Shaving off a decent chunk of 0.16 seconds from the current world record, a lab study indicated that the improvements would’ve clocked Bolt’s time at 9.42 seconds.
As part of its exclusive release, PUMA also announced the PUMA NITRO Lab in Tokyo this weekend. The collection is at the forefront of the exhibition, which translates PUMA’s cutting-edge technology and innovation into futuristic, never-before-seen running shoes in the form of the FAST-XP.
PUMA continues to invest in its use of concept shoes, much like the car manufacturing industry. Being able to test out its boundary-pushing ideas before they hit the road across the globe has pushed PUMA’s core philosophy to new heights. The PUMA FAST-XP embodies this ideology through next-generation, speed-driven innovation.
With a collection of five unique concepts, each shoe draws on inspiration from PUMA’s most advanced trach technologies. The FAST-XP collection has been re-engineered for both track and field, and road running. The details for each of the shoes in the collection is as follows:
- FAST-XP SPT: Inspired by the PUMA Berserker running spike, the FAST-XP SPT was designed for a 200m and 400m sprinter. It features an asymmetrical 3D PWRPLATE for banking efficiency on curves, while the NITROFOAM Elite pod provides explosive energy return. The posterior heel wedge is engineered to support longer sprint events, amplifying every stride from the start to the finish line.
- FAST-XP LVT: It draws inspiration from 13-time world record holder, Mondo Duplantis’ pole vault spike. The FAST-XP LVT re-invents vertical propulsion for the road. With a dual-density midsole, full-length carbon PWRPLATE spine, and hollow heel geometry, it blends cushioning, stiffness, and reduced weight for elite-level responsiveness mile after mile.
- FAST-XP PLS: Another shoe inspired by the Berserker, this time for its propulsive DNA. The FAST-XP PLS transforms sprint innovation into a high-performance road shoe. It features a cascade-shaped NITROFOAM geometry, paired with NITROFOAM Elite and PWRPLATE for enhanced stability. The result is a shoe that delivers plush cushioning, high energy return, and efficient propulsion for long-distance running.
- FAST-XP SPG: The FAST-XP SPG has evolved from the FAST RB NITRO Elite. It mirrors the explosive rebound of a springboard. It also includes a dual-plate construction, forefoot rocker apex, and strategic NITROFOAM Elite pods to maximise energy storage and release for fast runners chasing their best.
- FAST-XP BLD: The FAST-XP BLD is engineered for aggressive propulsion, which is inspired by the dynamics of carbon blades. With a stiffer heel with midfoot rocker, it works in harmony with the flexible forefoot elements and a PWRPLATE-enhanced NITROFOAM system. This enables rapid transitions and powerful push-offs on every stride.
The PUMA FAST-XP collection is on display this weekend at the PUMA NITRO™ Lab in Tokyo, at the World Athletics Championship.
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