Faas Lab

Thanks for stopping by our running laboratory. It’s jam-packed with athletes, Rastas, and lab technicians, treadmills and turntables, playlists and players.

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Inspired By the Fastest Country

It has been scientifically proven the world over: Jamaicans are fast. We’ve spent the last decade studying what makes this possible. Is it their well-rounded diet of Trelawney yams? Is it because they balance their daily training with victory dance practice? After much time spent with our Jamaican athletes, we found the answer was rather simple.

Jamaicans take a simple approach to running. Their routine includes grass tracks and up-hill sprints rather than Alter-G treadmills and speed parachutes. They thrive in natural environments and remind the world that running is nothing more than a desire to be faster and to enjoy the freedom of finding one’s natural rhythm.

We kept this in mind as we developed our Faas running shoes. We used a ‘less is more’ approach by removing the bells, whistles, and traditional running shoe reinforcements and replacing them with a new lightweight system called BioRide. This technology has 3 integrated parts – Rocker, Flex, and Groove – that work together to create a more natural running rhythm.

Faas running shoes are fast as fast can be, lightweight and come with everything you need for running, and nothing more. It’s our approach to natural running: Whether training or racing, Faas lets you find your natural rhythm so you can find that natural runner’s high.

ROCKER. For a smooth touchdown and effortless toe-off.

Rocker refers to the outsole shape of the Faas shoes. Because of its rocker shape, the center of gravity is focused more towards the center of the shoe rather than the heel. This subtle design update allows runners to land in a more neutral foot position, rather than being pulled into a heel strike like most traditional running shoes.

Like a rocking chair, the rocker shape allows the momentum to be carried forward by “rocking” forward upon impact, creating an easier transition from heel to toe. The front part of the rocker under the toes then allows for a more natural toe off by helping to continue this momentum.

Meet Rocker

Sheldon “Rocker” Shepherd is the lead vocalist in the World’s Fastest Band. No matter where, when, or how fast the band is running, Rocker leads the charge, singing his sweet melodies (and lending cred to his ‘smooth’ pseudonym). Rocker credits ‘rhythm’ for his success on the track and microphone and can often be found training his chords at the beach.

Learn More About Rocker

FLEX. For natural foot movement and added responsiveness.

To encourage the feel of a natural ride, flex grooves have been added throughout the midsole. In the forefoot area, where more flexibility is needed to make toeing-off easier, additional flex grooves have been added. In the mid-foot and heel area, where the shoe needs to be stabilized to minimize unnecessary movement and produce the most efficient gait, fewer grooves exist.

These grooves allow your foot to flex naturally as you roll off through your forefoot, giving you added responsiveness that you don’t get with traditional running shoes.

Meet Flex

Christopher “Flex” Gordon is the man with the shake—the maracas shake. (Though it is rumored around the Island that he does have a ‘bashy’ booty shake, too.) When Flex is not shaking his maracas, he’s fine-tuning his chords with Rocker on their many sprints around the Faas Lab in his favorite Faas 500s.

Learn More About Flex

GROOVE. For natural stability that responds to your individual biomechanics.

On the lateral side of the midsole, there is a groove that runs along the side of the shoe. This is the Groove and has been carved into the midsole to allow it to compress in an accordion like way.

The location of the Groove is important. In the Faas 500, the everyday neutral trainer where there is more cushioning, the Groove starts at the back of the heel and runs along the outside edge until it reaches the toes. While running, the material along the Groove is free to compress according to your natural footstrike. On the medial side, where the Groove does not exist, your foot is naturally supported against overpronation. In the Faas 250 and 300 the Groove starts at the back and ends near the front of the heel since the level of cushioning is much less through the forefoot. This makes the 250 and 300 great for tempo runs and races, or as an everyday minimalist trainer.

Meet Groove

O’Neil “Groove" Peart is the lead guitarist of The World’s Fastest Band. He’s always the first of his fellow band mates to get his groove on in the dancehall and at band practice. While Groove enjoys long walks on the beach and strumming his guitar strings, he also makes an ‘ah sey one’ jerk chicken dish. Groove currently holds the PUMA Record for Fastest 100m Run While-Playing-A-Guitar.

Learn More About Groove

Faas Cushioning Scale

Less Weight, More Faas

Our cushioning scale is the best way to gauge your workout and choose your most appropriate weapon of speed.

From the Faas Lab Conveyor Belt

Faas 200

Faas 200 The Bolt Faas 200 is the minimalist racer that has everything you need for tempo runs and road races.

Faas 250

The Faas 250 take progressive racing a few swift strides further with its super light and more responsive design.

Faas 300

The Faas 300 is a lightweight, fast pace companion, built for runners who defy convention and speed on a daily basis.

Faas 400

Faas 400 Inspired by the World's Fastest Man, the Bolt Faas 400 is the perfect lightweight trainer that combines the perfect amount of cushioning with speed.

Faas 500

The Faas 500 is a super flexible everyday trainer, designed for the runner who wants to standout from the pack.

Faas 550

Faas 550 The Faas 550 is the perfect lightweight neutral trainer featuring BioRide Technology for a more natural running rhythm and enhanced speed.

More About PUMA Running

PUMA is staking its claim in the future of running. Our products and athletes equal performance that’s not simply about being the fastest—but about packing every run with endorphins and every millisecond with enjoyment.

Since 1948, PUMA has innovated on the product side. We have provided running shoes that have made the fastest humans on earth even faster. Our science is often disguised with spiffy colors and designs but beneath it all is technology that turns human into superhuman.

It’s the stuff that transforms the track and roads with speed and spontaneity.

Matching our product portfolio is more than half a century of the world’s fastest athletes: Abebe Bikila, Armin Hary, Tommie Smith, Wilson Kipketer, Linford Christie, and Usain Bolt to name a few.

But it’s not all about world record breaking speed. It’s about the push and pull of the sport. It’s training and logging miles, yes. But more importantly, it’s about the desire to be faster and to feel that natural runner’s high—a sweet and sweaty one-two punch of rhythm and freedom. It’s about finding peace of mind somewhere between hitting pavement and being airborne. It’s about endorphins surging through the homestretch and well into the victory lap.

PUMA Running is running in its purest, natural form.