PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite v3 introduction:
More Cushion For The Pushing
Ivan: The first two editions of the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite were celebrated for being lightweight and snappy. However, feedback indicated that they lacked sufficient cushioning for the full marathon distance. With this update, PUMA introduces a higher stack of tweaked NITROFOAM ELITE midsole compound, which promises to offer enhanced protection and propulsion. It will be intriguing to see if these advancements fulfil their promises.
Andy: I really enjoyed the first two versions of the Deviate NITRO Elite from PUMA. As Ivan says, they were light and gave good toe off. They were my go to long run shoe however, I wouldn’t have picked them for a marathon as they felt a little thin in the forefoot. Therefore, I was very happy to see that PUMA have added a good amount of their NITROFOAM ELITE to the mix to make them more amenable to longer distances. Furthermore, I was very happy to feel the extra aggression in the tow spring when I put them on for the first time. The previous iterations have been quick but not aggressive.
As Ivan says, PUMA have given a lot of promises, does the Deviate NITRO Elite 3 fulfil them?
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3 upper:
Ivan: Upon first wearing the shoe, the immediate standout is its remarkable lightweight feel, reminiscent of the super minimalist first version and notably lighter than its recent iteration. However, most of the weight reduction doesn’t seem to stem from the upper, which retains a surprisingly structured feel given its lightness. The ULTRAWEAVE upper, reinforced with PWRTAPE, offers substantial rigidity and structure. The non-gusseted tongue, lightly padded, provides some protection with the standard stretchy laces.
I do experience a slight heel lift, which could be attributed to the absence of internal padding, except for a slight increase in thickness at the top part. The midfoot wrap is adequate, but the shoe runs long; personally, I would consider sizing down. It’s worth noting that my usual US size 8.5 translates to just EU 41, and sizing down to 40.5 seems almost necessary. This marks a significant departure from the earlier snug fits of the first two editions.
Comfort Personified
Andy: I found the uppers of the previous versions of the Deviate NITRO Elite relative comfortable but the upper could be a little abrasive over time. This was another strike against them in my long distance roster. Thankfully, PUMA have softened the material somewhat in the latest version. As Ivan has pointed out, the fit is secure although I have not found any heel lift in my runs. Perhaps different shaped feet are the defining factor here.
I also concur that the size, as ever with PUMA, is slightly different to most other brands. Although in this instance, PUMA have gone from a long skinny fit in v1 and v2 to a long and more accommodating fit in v3. No more pinched toes towards the tail end of longer runs. I have done a lot of faster sessions in these during times when the temperatures have been in the high 20s and low 30s centigrade and have never found overheating to be an issue.
Overall, the upper has been improved in both comfort and fit in the v3. A good start to a shoe which is shaping up to be a blast.
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3 midsole:
Ivan: To be frank, the most intriguing aspect of this update lies in the midsole. With an additional 4mm in stack height, reaching the World Athletics approved 40mm limit seen in nearly every other super shoe, this iteration finally addresses my long standing issue with earlier versions. While I personally appreciate them for shorter runs like tempo sessions, fartleks, intervals, and hill reps, they never quite provided the cushioning I needed for competitive marathons or longer race-specific workouts.
Now, thanks to the higher stack of NITROFOAM ELITE, there’s a noticeable improvement in cushioning and energy return. The tweaked foam compound not only feels lighter but also softer and more responsive, even accompanied by a distinct “hollow” sound from the midsole during runs. The forefoot, in particular, feels significantly more cushioned and propulsive. The advertised 8mm drop feels more like 4mm to me and the ride remains aggressive. Personally, I would have preferred a bit more rocker to aid my midfoot strike, but the overall experience is still smooth and enjoyable, likely due to a more curved carbon plate geometry that improves transitions.
My only concern with the lighter foam formulation is potential early degradation of the extremely airy supercritical A-TPU compound. In terms of stability, this model likely falls somewhere in the middle of the Supershoe spectrum.
PUMA’s Deviate NITRO Elite 3 Brings The Aggression
Andy: This is, as Ivan has pointed out, the biggest update to this version of the Deviate NITRO Elite. PUMA now bring the pumped up kicks to the very limit of legality. As a forefoot striker, I very much appreciate this growth. Moreover, the plate also feels like it gives more of a kick at toe off. Previous versions had more of a traditional feel to the ride. This has a reel push from the plate which can be easily felt through the gait cycle.
Although they have added extra material to the forefoot, it is perhaps the stiffness of the carbon plate which still leaves me with a slightly harsher feeling to the ride after a longer duration in the shoe. I have used the Deviate NITRO Elite 3 for shorter, sharper reps and also for longer more marathon focussed intervals. I think I prefer it for the shorter reps. Sadly, I have found that due to my footstrike, I land right on the curve of the plate where it is perhaps less forgiving and on longer reps this starts to become noticeable towards the end.
As far as degradation of the foam goes, outside of some discolouration and a couple of nicks from sharp rocks, it still looks in fine fettle after 60 or so km in them on multiple surfaces. Overall, I appreciate the work which PUMA have done to increase the cushion and propulsion of the Deviate NITRO Elite. However, I still think that this is more of a short race shoe for me due to the harshness I feel from repeated forefoot landings.
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3 outsole:
Ivan: We still have the reliable PUMAGRIP outsole rubber compound, known for its sticky and durable properties. Unlike most other race-day shoes, the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3 maintains a surprisingly substantial rubber coverage. This suggests excellent durability, especially considering its lightweight construction. I would be genuinely surprised if the midsole outlasts this outsole. As always, PUMAGRIP provides exceptional grip, bordering on sticky. There were moments where I even felt my foot adhered a bit too well to the ground, particularly during fast cornering.
Andy: I have not much to add to Ivan’s points here. We all know PUMAGRIP by now. I have used the Deviate NITRO Elite 3 on many surfaces. Whether wet, dry, grassy or even sandy, the grip has never been in question. You can feel it bite into the surface and it even has a pleasing sound on release.
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3 conclusion:
Ivan: PUMA has delivered exactly what most runners have been requesting: a version of the Deviate NITRO Elite that finally provides sufficient cushioning and energy return for competitive full marathon distances. Although I believe there’s potential for improvement in the fit – personally, I favoured the shorter and snugger fit of earlier versions – this iteration is undoubtedly a great choice for most runners on race day. Unlike its counterpart, the Fast-R 2, which seems to require a quite powerful stride, the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3 is more traditional and inherently more agile, snappy, and accessible to a broader range of runners.
Andy: With the Deviate NITRO Elite 3, PUMA have given more cushion, more aggression and even more comfort in the upper. Whilst Ivan may miss the snugger fit of old, I actually find the v3 fit to be much more comfortable over longer efforts. That said, there is some combination of plate, footstrike and foam which still doesn’t quite work for me if I am giving a more all out effort over a longer distance. I find that the ride here is still a little harsh. Whilst I will be using these for long runs, road sessions and blasts on the track, I don’t think they will be challenging my top marathon shoes just yet.
The upgrade does deliver well and overall the Deviate NITRO Elite 3 is a very good shoe which does maintain that more traditional feel and will work for a range of different runners. It is light, fast, agile and grippy. As Ivan says, it is an accessible race day shoe which doesn’t demand a particular kind of stride or size.