Weight 328g
Evaluation Puma was wise not to have changed the Pryde for the last two years – it was light, soft and stable, with a wonderfully smooth forefoot feel thanks to its deep flex grooves. In fact, as we pointed out in articles about hidden gems, it was one of the best £60 shoes on the market.
The new version is good, but it doesn’t have quite the same appeal. The grooved forefoot has gone, which makes the ride more average. The slightly flared base that used to give a reassuringly stable toe-off has been narrowed, too (though the upper’s shape hasn’t changed). Even the speed lace loops have been removed. And small details reduce confidence – such as the fact that the bevelled heel is angled differently from the crash pad around it, even though they’re both supposed to work together for a smoother heel-strike.
In short Lighter, stability-oriented runners probably wouldn’t be disappointed by the new Pryde – unless they’d run in the old one. It’s light, fairly stable and pleasant enough, but it doesn’t have anything to make it stand out.
Try it if you liked Asics Gel 1070 (£65); Avia 2069 (£60);
Nike Air Span Triax (£60)
