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Puma Footwear Production Technologies

​Technology · 8 min readPUMA technologiesWhat's inside the sneaker: explained without the hype

NITRO, SOFTFOAM+, PWRPLATE, PUMAGRIP: every name on a sneaker stands for a specific part, whether an insole, foam, plate or rubber. We map PUMA's technologies to the zones of a shoe, show where to find them and which models with them are in stock now.

Technology mapModels in stock
Sneaker anatomy
​UpperULTRAWEAVE · PURETEX
​InsoleSOFTFOAM+
​MidsoleNITRO · IGNITE · NRGY
​PlatePWRPLATE
​OutsolePUMAGRIP
12technologies explained
5shoe zones
3PUMA models in stock
14 daysto return

The PUMA technology map

Each description is based on PUMA's official materials. Filter by shoe zone.

SOFTFOAM+Insole

SOFTFOAM+

A comfort sockliner with an extra-thick heel: soft cushioning from the first step and all day long.

In stock: 3

Where to find it: Smash, Rickie, Twitch Runner

NITROMidsole

NITRO

Nitrogen-infused foam: light and springy, returning energy stride after stride.

Where to find it: Velocity NITRO, Magnify NITRO, Deviate NITRO

NITRO EliteMidsole

NITRO Elite

The premium racing version of NITRO: top responsiveness at minimal weight.

Where to find it: Deviate NITRO Elite, Fast-R NITRO Elite

IGNITEMidsole

IGNITE

A foam midsole with a branded heel cage that locks the heel onto the platform.

Where to find it: IGNITE and HYBRID lines

NRGYMidsole

NRGY

Foam cushioning from heel to toe for a soft ride.

Where to find it: NRGY and HYBRID lines

HYBRIDMidsole

HYBRID

Two technologies in one sole: IGNITE and NRGY.

Where to find it: HYBRID line

PWRPLATEPlate

PWRPLATE

A carbon fibre plate that stabilises the midsole and transfers energy at toe-off.

Where to find it: Deviate NITRO, Deviate NITRO Elite

PUMAGRIPOutsole

PUMAGRIP

A durable rubber compound for traction on all kinds of surfaces.

Where to find it: NITRO running lines

PURETEXUpper & protection

PURETEX

A waterproof membrane that keeps feet dry in rain and slush. Models with it often carry PTX in the name.

In stock: 1

Where to find it: Twitch Runner PTX, Reflect Lite Trail PTX

ULTRAWEAVEUpper & protection

ULTRAWEAVE

An ultra-light fabric with 4-way stretch: less weight and friction.

Where to find it: racing models

DISCHeritage

DISC

A laceless closure with a rotating dial, introduced in the early 1990s and revived in retro models.

Where to find it: Disc Blaze

TrinomicHeritage

Trinomic

1990s cushioning with hexagonal cells that PUMA brings back in retro sneakers.

Where to find it: Trinomic retro lines

Technology descriptions are based on PUMA's official product pages.

Which technology do you need

Pick a task and we'll highlight the technologies to look for in a model's description.

Task

Look for

PUMA lines: what's for what

A quick cheat sheet of popular models and the technologies inside them.

LineMade forKey technologies
Smash, RickieEveryday casualSOFTFOAM+
Twitch RunnerEasy runs and the citySOFTFOAM+, PureTEX in PTX versions
Velocity NITRODaily training runsNITRO, PUMAGRIP
Magnify NITROMaximum cushioningNITRO, PUMAGRIP
Deviate NITRO EliteRacing and tempoNITRO Elite, PWRPLATE, PUMAGRIP

How to read a model's spec

1Technology name in the specs

Look for NITRO, SOFTFOAM+ or PureTEX in the product specs to see exactly what the model has.

2SOFTFOAM+ is the insole

It adds softness inside, not in the outsole. Sole cushioning comes from foams: NITRO, IGNITE, NRGY.

3PTX in the name

Usually means a PureTEX waterproof membrane: a pair for rain and slush.

4NITRO in the name

Means NITRO foam in the midsole: lightness and spring for running.

Models in stock

3 PUMA pairs in stock plus 34 insulated sneakers from other brands for the season.

PUMA in stock

3 models

Last pairs: check the size on the product page.

Other sneakers in stock

34 models

Insulated sneakers from other brands for autumn and winter.

No models match this filter.

Frequently asked questions

What is NITRO in PUMA sneakers?

It is a nitrogen-infused midsole foam. According to PUMA, it is light and springy and returns energy with every stride. It is used in the Velocity, Magnify and Deviate running lines.

How is SOFTFOAM+ different from NITRO?

SOFTFOAM+ is a comfort sockliner with an extra-thick heel that adds softness inside the shoe. NITRO is a midsole foam that provides cushioning and spring when you run.

What does PTX in a model name mean?

PTX models have a PureTEX waterproof membrane. For example, the Twitch Runner PTX in our catalog has PureTEX and a SoftFoam insole.

What is the PWRPLATE carbon plate for?

It stabilises the midsole and helps transfer energy at toe-off. It is used in racing models such as the Deviate NITRO Elite.

How do I find the technologies of a specific model?

Check the specs on the product page. If a technology isn't listed, message us on Telegram and we will check.

Choose sneakers for your task

Online with 1–3 day delivery, or try on at the KLASS mall in Kharkiv. 30-day warranty, 14-day returns.

All PUMA modelsWomen's sneakersMen's sneakersAsk on Telegram

PUMA sneakers at N-SHOES

N-SHOES currently has 3 PUMA pairs in stock: Rickie Classic sneakers, Smash 3.0 L with a SOFTFOAM+ insole and Twitch Runner PTX with a PureTEX membrane. Order online with delivery across Ukraine or try a pair on in Kharkiv.

Written by: The N-SHOES teamUpdated: October 2026
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