A while back Puma launched their Hybrid Rocket shoe that combined two important elements from the company’s quiver. The 'hybrid' part of this shoe referenced the mix happening between the German sport brand’s Ignite Foam and relatively new Nrgy beads used in their soles.

The company has now dubbed this mix Hybrid Foam and included it in their latest racer, the Hybrid Runner Desert. It’s certainly an elegant shoe, with the evoKNIT upper providing a sock-like feel and the interesting black and gold colourway. If you haven’t heard the company’s take on Hybrid Foam, here’s how they describe it. The Ignite Foam reacts on impact, providing energy return. The NRGY beads then provide cushioning, giving back to the Ignite foam, absorbing the energy, and creating a rebound effect during the toe off phase. The result, Puma notes, is maximum cushioning and energy return for longer runs. 

The Hybrid Runner, available at Puma stores and selected retailers, is going for just under R2k and will be available on 26 October 2018.

If the red and black colourway of the original Hybrid Rocket didn’t strike you, well you are in luck. The Hybrid Rocket Desert drops alongside the Hybrid Runner Desert, combining the same black and gold elements, plus of course the new Hybrid Foam. While the plastic disk on the side was a bit more subdued on the Hybrid Rocket, the Desert’s gold colouring makes it all the more noticeable. It sticks to the same price too – R2299, at Puma select retailers nationwide.