For the first time on African soil runners can experience The Future of Fast when PUMA exhibits its most daring innovation yet: the FAST-XP Collection of five concept shoes on Friday 22 May and Saturday 23 May at The Burrow, the Loop Street clubhouse of iconic run crew The Nine Four.
The exhibit, which is open to the public, features a radical lineup of hybrid innovation shoes designed to redefine speed and performance. Built through NITRO Lab – the brand’s elite innovation engine – the collection translates the cutting-edge technology of PUMA’s existing innovation into futuristic, never-before-seen running models. In the same way racing car manufacturers use concept cars to test boundary-pushing ideas before they hit the road, PUMA has created the collection to showcase the next generation of speed-driven innovation.
Each shoe draws inspiration from PUMA’s most advanced track technologies, re-engineered for both track and field, and road running.
Full details of each ‘concept car’ in the FAST-XP collection are listed below.
- FAST-XP SPT
Inspired by the Berserker – the spike worn by 400m hurdle world record holder Karsten Warholm – the FAST-XP SPT is purpose-built for a 200m and 400m sprinter. With a split, asymmetrical 3D PWRPLATE for banking efficiency on curves, NITROFOAM™ Elite pod for explosive energy return, and a posterior heel wedge to support longer sprint events, it’s engineered to amplify every stride, from the blocks to the finish line.
- FAST-XP LVT
Taking cues from 13-time world record holder Mondo Duplantis’ pole vault spike, the FAST-XP LVT reimagines 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
Born from the Berserker’s propulsive DNA, the FAST-XP PLS transforms sprint innovation into a high-performance road shoe. Featuring cascade-shaped NITROFOAM™ geometry paired with NITROFOAM™ Elite and PWRPLATE stability, it
delivers plush cushioning, high energy return, and efficient propulsion for long-distance speed.
- FAST-XP SPG
Evolving from the FAST RB NITRO™ Elite, the SPG mirrors the explosive rebound of a springboard. Its dual-plate construction, forefoot rocker apex, and strategic NITROFOAM™ Elite pods maximize energy storage and release for fast runners chasing their edge.
- FAST-XP BLD
Inspired by the dynamics of carbon blades, the FAST-XP BLD is engineered for aggressive propulsion. A stiffer heel with midfoot rocker works in harmony with flexible forefoot elements and a PWRPLATE-enhanced NITROFOAM™ system, enabling rapid transitions and powerful push-offs.
Anyone looking to experience the FAST-XP Collection can do so on Friday 22 May from 7pm – 10pm at The Burrow, 34 Loop Street, Cape Town.
The Nine Four will be hosting a weekend of running and culture, with the unveiling of the FAST-XP Collection just one of the highlights. Events include the premiere of The Good Run; an original film exploring one simple question: what does a good run really mean?
The crew will also host the Nine Four Mother City Shake Out on Saturday 23 May, the definitive pre-race morning for runners who know that the last miles before a marathon should feel like a celebration. From 8am to noon, The Burrow becomes the heartbeat of marathon weekend, including a post-run DJ set on the legendary Nine Four balcony to bring it all home.
On Sunday 25 May, The Nine Four and Ses’fikile close out in style at Botanik Social House where DJs soundtrack the night as runners, crews, and creative souls from Cape Town and beyond gather to mark the end of marathon weekend.
For more information please visit: www.puma.com