# Puma Launches Non-Legal Super-Shoe Featuring Dual Carbon Plate Technology The new FAST-RB NITRO Elite 2 offers record-breaking potential but violates World Athletics regulations. - **Source:** [Science & tech Articles | Mail Online](https://www.dailymail.com?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490) - **Published:** 2026-10-28 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/daba8bae-4d67-4750-be52-6029736702ba ## Puma Unveils Experimental Footwear Puma has introduced the FAST-RB NITRO Elite 2, a high-performance trainer priced at £310. Designed over two years, the shoe utilizes a unique dual carbon plate system fused into a springboard configuration. While Puma claims it represents a new frontier in running, the design intentionally ignores current professional racing regulations. ## Technical Innovation and Design The shoe incorporates Nitrofoam Elite cushioning, engineered to absorb and release energy for both heel and forefoot strikers. Its upper is constructed from Ultraweave, a lightweight fabric aimed at reducing physical restrictions. Additionally, the Pumagrip outsole ensures traction, completing a package focused on maximizing energy return during high-speed running sessions. ## Regulatory Conflict and Legality World Athletics currently mandates that competition shoes must not contain more than one carbon-fibre plate. Because the Puma model features two fused plates, it is officially classified as non-race-legal. Consequently, any marathon records achieved while wearing this specific footwear will remain unofficial and ineligible for recognition by global governing athletic bodies. ## Historical Context of Controversy The debate regarding performance-enhancing footwear intensified in 2019 when Eliud Kipchoge completed a sub-two-hour marathon. His achievement was deemed unofficial due to the prototype Nike Alphafly shoes he wore. This event prompted World Athletics to establish strict guidelines, including a 40mm maximum midsole height and single-plate restrictions for all professional races. ## Industry Response to Regulations Following the 2019 regulatory changes, manufacturers have pivoted to developing race-legal versions that hover just below the 40mm stack height limit. Recent successes, such as Sabastian Sawe’s sub-two-hour marathon performance, demonstrate how brands balance innovation with compliance. These legal models utilize advanced foam mattresses and single plates to improve runner efficiency. ## The Technological Doping Debate Experts and legal professionals, including Shaun Creighton, argue that modern super-shoes function as performance-enhancing devices. There is a growing concern that the sport is shifting from a contest of human endurance to a competition of engineering prowess. This perspective labels the rapid evolution of shoe technology as a form of technological doping. ## Strategic Intent Behind Launch Puma’s decision to release a non-legal shoe serves as a statement on their innovation capabilities. By prioritizing raw performance over regulatory compliance, the brand challenges the current boundaries set by World Athletics. This move forces a public discussion on whether current rules are stifling the potential for human speed in long-distance running. ## Future of Athletic Regulation The ongoing tension between shoe design and athletic fairness remains a critical issue for sports governance. Regulators face the difficult task of tightening technical boundaries to preserve the integrity of human performance. As technology continues to advance, the industry must decide how much influence equipment should have on the outcome of professional races. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dailymail.com/sciencetech/article-16245215/super-shoe-Puma-carbon-plates-NOT-race-legal.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._