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PUMA Debuts ‘fast-xp’ Collection In Cape Town – Speed Driven Innovation

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on PUMA Debuts ‘fast-xp’ Collection In Cape Town – Speed Driven Innovation

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

The Roving Cow Puts the ASICS Gel-Nimbus Platinum to the Test

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on The Roving Cow Puts the ASICS Gel-Nimbus Platinum to the Test

ASICS Gel-Nimbus Platinum
Road tested by Modern Athlete’s Roving Cow – Richard Laskey

There’s something lekker about pulling on a proper cushioned daily trainer. Not your flashy race-day rocket, not something that makes you feel like you need to chase Strava segments… just a solid, dependable shoe that’s ready to go when the plan simply says: “Run.”

That’s exactly where the Nimbus Platinum fits in.

I took it out on my usual mix, suburb tar loops, the odd dodgy patch of pavement, and a couple of longer steady runs where you’re not chasing pace, just time on feet. And straight away, you can tell this shoe’s job is simple: keep your legs happy.

Upper

Out the box, the upper feels soft and breathable, no fuss, no breaking-in drama. The engineered mesh has a bit of stretch, so it hugs the foot nicely without feeling sloppy. There’s just enough structure through the midfoot to keep things locked in when you naturally pick things up a notch.

On those warmer Gauteng mornings, airflow was spot on. No hotspots, no pressure points, it’s one of those uppers you stop thinking about after the first kilometre, which is exactly what you want.

Midsole

This is where the magic happens.

The FF BLAST+ ECO foam gives you that proper plush Nimbus feel, but without turning the run into a soggy marshmallow situation. It cushions well, especially on longer runs, but still keeps things controlled underfoot.

The PureGEL in the heel does its thing quietly in the background, softening those heavier landings when the legs start to tire. And with a bit of rocker built into the shoe, it rolls you forward nicely without you even thinking about it.

Let’s be clear, this isn’t a speed shoe. But that’s not the brief. This is comfort-first, cruise-control running at its best.

Outsole

Underneath, you’ve got a combo of AHAR+ and ASICSGRIP rubber, and it shows.

Grip is solid on tar, even when things are a bit dusty or slightly damp. No sketchy moments, no second-guessing your footing. The flex grooves in the forefoot also help the shoe move naturally through your stride, which keeps everything feeling smooth.

And durability? Ja, this one looks like it’ll go the distance.

Tongue

Nicely padded, partially gusseted, meaning it stays put.

No slipping around, no fiddling mid-run. It also spreads the lace pressure evenly, which you only really appreciate a few kays into a long run when everything still feels comfortable up top.

Heel Counter

The heel setup is spot on, structured where it needs to be, but still cushioned.

Your foot feels locked in without that stiff, restrictive feeling. No heel slip, no irritation… just a secure, comfortable hold that does its job quietly

Toe Box

Sits right in that sweet spot.

Not too wide, not too narrow, just enough room for your toes to splay naturally, especially as the run goes on and your feet start to swell a bit. The slight stretch in the mesh helps here too.

Fit (Last)

Built on a standard neutral last, so it’ll suit most runners.

Secure through the midfoot, with a bit more room up front, a well-balanced fit that works for everyday mileage and those longer weekend runs.

The Numbers

  • Heel stack: 41 mm
  • Forefoot stack: 33 mm
  • Drop: 8 mm
  • Weight: 290 g (men) / 248 g (women)

The Roving Cow Verdict 

The Nimbus Platinum is exactly what you want from a max-cushion daily trainer: comfortable, reliable, and built to eat up the kilometres.

It’s the shoe you grab on recovery days, long steady runs, or those mornings when the legs feel a bit cooked but the training plan says, “No excuses.”

Will it help you win a sprint finish? Definitely not.
Will it keep your legs fresher for tomorrow? 100%.

And honestly, that’s sometimes the real win.

adidas launches Supernova Rise 3 in new Glow Blue colourway

Adnaan MohamedNewsLeave a Comment on adidas launches Supernova Rise 3 in new Glow Blue colourway
By Adnaan Mohamed

Runners chasing smooth kilometres have a fresh companion on the road as adidas unveils the Supernova Rise 3 in a striking Glow Blue colourway.

The latest update expands the brand’s comfort-focused Supernova franchise, a range designed for everyday runners who log steady miles through training blocks, recovery jogs and early morning pavement sessions.

First launched in December 2025, the Supernova Rise 3 builds on the blueprint of its award-winning predecessor with a series of design refinements aimed at delivering a softer and more natural stride.

The shoe has also received the Seal of Acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association, recognition that highlights its support for healthy foot function during regular running.

At the heart of the update sits a reworked full-length Dreamstrike+ midsole, the cushioning engine designed to absorb impact like a sponge soaking up rain on a winter training run. The updated foam formula brings a lighter and softer ride, with adidas reporting five percent less weight, 20 percent softer cushioning and 16 percent more foam underfoot.

That combination aims to help runners maintain rhythm across long training runs where tired legs often search for smooth momentum.

Above the midsole sits a newly engineered Primeweave upper, a woven structure designed to wrap around the foot with a secure yet flexible fit. The material adapts to movement in a way that mirrors the natural flex of a runner’s stride, offering support without restricting motion.

Beneath the shoe, the Lightraxion outsole introduces rod-like sculpting inspired by the anatomy of the foot. The pattern works to guide transitions from heel strike to toe-off, creating a rolling sensation similar to a runner flowing down a gentle downhill stretch.

The Supernova Rise 3 also includes several elements developed specifically around women’s biomechanics.

These features include a shoe last shaped to match the average structure of women’s feet, along with a central landing platform designed to promote stability during impact. Designers also incorporated an improved heel bevel built around insights into women’s landing angles.

Additional support arrives through a sock liner that places thicker foam beneath the arch, offering targeted cushioning during long runs.

Together these refinements shape a shoe that aims to keep runners moving smoothly through daily training mileage, where comfort often determines whether the final kilometres feel like a grind or a glide.

The Supernova Rise 3 in Glow Blue retails for R2 999 and is available in stores and online through adidas retail channels.

ASICS Unveils the GEL-NIMBUS™ 28

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on ASICS Unveils the GEL-NIMBUS™ 28

ASICS launched the 28th generation of the GEL-NIMBUS™. The iconic cushioned running shoe celebrated for its cloud-like cushioning and superior comfort. Through a weight reduction of over 20 grams compared to the previous model, the shoe delivers an even more refined, comfortable running experience without compromising the signature plush cushioning.

At the heart of this comfort is ASICS’ FF BLAST™ PLUS cushioning, which provides soft landings and supports a smoother, more effortless stride. The shoe features PureGEL™ – a softer, updated version of ASICS’ renowned GEL™ technology – positioned under the heel to ensure the same trusted shock absorption in a lighter, more refined form.

The significant weight reduction has been achieved through updates to the outsole construction, a new upper material, and an updated heel design. The HYBRID ASICSGRIP™ outsole has been refined to maintain durable traction where needed, while the engineered knit upper maintains excellent breathability and provides a softer, lighter, and more comfortable fit. The updated heel design further contributes to weight reduction while creating a streamlined, modern look. Together, these updates create a lighter overall feel without sacrificing the plush cushioning that defines the GEL-NIMBUS™ series.

In addition, the new tongue loop construction makes it easier to slip the shoe on, providing a comfortable fit that enhances the overall running experience. The updated eyelet loop design minimises visible loops on the upper, creating a sleek, modern, and refined look.

Keita Ozawa, the developer of Performance Running Footwear at ASICS said: “Our approach to the GEL-NIMBUS™ 28 shoe reflects ASICS’ Kaizen philosophy, continually refining every detail to create better experiences for runners. Through thoughtful updates to the outsole, upper, and cushioning, this shoe takes comfort to even greater heights. This process ensures that every runner can move both their body and mind with greater ease and enjoyment.”

Recommended Retail Price: R4000

BUY NOW

To find out more about the GEL-NIMBUS™ 28 shoe and the latest technologies, please visit asics.com.