Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4 vs The North Face Altamesa 500

Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4

€140

The North Face Altamesa 500

€140

Quick verdict

Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4

€140

The better pick if you want:

A lighter option (13 g less)

The North Face Altamesa 500

€140

The better pick if you want:

A higher overall score (82 vs 77)
More cushioning (36 vs 31 mm heel stack)
A lower drop (6 vs 12 mm)

Spec profile

Each axis ranks against the 174 products in Shoes on the site: the further out, the more it stands out in that spec (lighter, cheaper…).

Center: lowest in the category · Edge: highest

Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4· leads in 1

Lightness

The North Face Altamesa 500· leads in 1

Cushioning

Tied

Affordability

Cushioning
31 mm
36 mmTop 35%
Lightness
272 gTop 28%
285 gTop 46%
Grip
No data
4 mmTop 50%
Drophigher isn't better or worse
12 mm
6 mm
Affordability
$140Top 26%
$140Top 26%

A spec without data for a product is left out of its shape, so it doesn't count as a low score.

Technical Specifications

Compare features between Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4 vs The North Face Altamesa 500

Best value in this comparisonOnly differences (9)

Essentials

€140

2026

2024

272 g

285 g

Overview

Trail Running Shoe

Technical trail and mountain terrain

Gravel paths and mountain trails

Technical trail running, rugged ascents and descents

Trail running and mountain training

Cushioning

12 mm

6 mm

31 mm

36 mm

23 mm

30 mm

NITROFOAM™ responsive cushioning

DREAM foam for lightweight cushioning and rebound

Grip & protection

Aggressive PUMAGRIP ATR rubber with deep lugs

SURFACE CTRL™ rubber with 4 mm grippy lugs

Ready to buy?

On the terrain

How Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4 vs The North Face Altamesa 500 should behave on each kind of ground, estimated from lug depth, stack height, weight and outsole rubber. Pick a ground to see what decides it.

Pick a ground							Average
Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4							58
The North Face Altamesa 500							54

FlatPacked, runnable trail

Cushioning and low weight make the kilometres easier; very deep lugs squirm on hard ground.

Puma Fast Trac Nitro 470

Cushioning24/40
Lightness21/35
Smooth roll25/25

Estimated: no data on lug depth, assumed average.

The North Face Altamesa 50076

Cushioning33/40
Lightness18/35
Smooth roll25/25

A model built from the specs to compare shoes, not a lab measurement.

Have you used the Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4 before?

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Have you used the The North Face Altamesa 500 before?

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Video Reviews

Watch real-world YouTube reviews from content creators and the Trail Running community.

See all 10 video reviews

Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4

The North Face Altamesa 500

Visual Comparison

See the differences between Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4 and The North Face Altamesa 500 in a side-by-side slider comparison.

Comparison Questions

Answers based on product data and key differences.

Ask your own question

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which offers better value: Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4 vs The North Face Altamesa 500?

For value comparison: The Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4 ($140) provides premium features compared to the The North Face Altamesa 500 ($140). Consider your budget and the specific features that matter most for your trail running setup.

Which is newer, the Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4 or the The North Face Altamesa 500?

The Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4 is newer: it came out in 2026, and the The North Face Altamesa 500 in 2024.

Looking for alternatives to Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4?

Closest in price, with what each one does better.

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Adidas Terrex Agravic 3

Adidas

$140Score 87+10

Better than Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4 at:

A higher overall score (87 vs 77)
A lower drop (8 vs 12 mm)

Compare with Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4

Asics Fuji Lite 6

Asics

$140Score 85+8

Better than Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4 at:

A higher overall score (85 vs 77)
A lighter option (12 g less)
More cushioning (34 vs 31 mm heel stack)

Compare with Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4

Asics Fuji Lite 7

Asics

$140Score 83+6

Better than Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4 at:

A higher overall score (83 vs 77)
A lighter option (31 g less)
A lower drop (4 vs 12 mm)

Compare with Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4

Popular Comparisons

Compare Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4 or The North Face Altamesa 500 with other top trail running shoes from brands such as Puma, The North Face and more.

Shoes

Spec profile

Each axis ranks against the 174 products in Shoes on the site: the further out, the more it stands out in that spec (lighter, cheaper…).

Center: lowest in the category · Edge: highest

Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4· leads in 1

Lightness

The North Face Altamesa 500· leads in 1

Cushioning

Tied

Affordability

Cushioning
31 mm
36 mmTop 35%
Lightness
272 gTop 28%
285 gTop 46%
Grip
No data
4 mmTop 50%
Drophigher isn't better or worse
12 mm
6 mm
Affordability
$140Top 26%
$140Top 26%

A spec without data for a product is left out of its shape, so it doesn't count as a low score.

Pick a ground

Average

Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4

The North Face Altamesa 500

Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4 vs The North Face Altamesa 500

Puma Fast Trac Nitro 4

The North Face Altamesa 500

Quick verdict

Spec profile