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One of the most interesting things about running shoes is that people can fall in love with a brand and others feel kind of meh about it. Lately, the number of runners loving Puma is on the rise and the Puma Deviate Nitro 3 is part of that.
Look at that orange and lettering, it just looks like a fast shoe!
If you haven’t tried Puma running shoes yet, I bet you’ve seen them recently. They had a LOT of athletes in the Olympics and particularly some great US women in the marathon that caught our attention.
But they aren’t just shoes for the front of the pack. They actually have a pretty broad line up and we’re working on getting you reviews of them all to help you decide if it’s a good fit. But today, we’re looking specifically at the new Deviate Nitro 3 (I previously tested the 2, but didn’t write up a detailed review).
As you know I’m always honest in my running shoe reviews with what I like, dislike and what might work for you that wasn’t a fit for me!
There isn’t a single ideal running shoe that suits every runner, so I’d like to share my discoveries. However, I strongly recommend visiting a running store and trying them on yourself! Take a run around the shop and gauge your thoughts.
Puma Deviate Nitro 3 Overview
We’ve been testing a lot of running shoes lately, that fall in this new category of a daily trainer with a plate. Some of them are being called super trainers (not the same as super shoes like the Alphafly). The Deviate Nitro 3 lacks a little of that bounce to feel like a super trainer which is going to help reduce the pounding on our muscles.
BUT it also doesn’t have the big chunky high stack feeling that some of these shoes have, which lead runners to feel a bit less comfortable in the shoe. Instead, you’ll still be getting that good road feeling underfoot.
This is a multipurpose shoe, with a carbon fiber plate, that could be used as a daily trainer for many runners because it will hold up to easy miles or pushing the pace in tempo workouts.
The PWRplate in this shoe goes across the full forefoot, which is an updated design from older models that had a split plate. With the wider base, you’re better able to take full advantage of the power in your big toe for pushing off. It’s also not going to be as firm as the carbon plate found in the elite racing shoe, which is part of why you can use this as a daily trainer.
NITROFOAM is their own blend, which I talk more about below, but it’s a very moderate cushion. Not a big, soft, plush cushion which is a little surprising with the 39mm stack height. Not a bad thing, just different than you might expect if you have been in some softer shoes like those with New Balance Fresh Foam.
Here you’ll find a softer Elite cushion, then the plate, then the original Nitro Foam. That cushion allows for you to enjoy the softness of the cushion on top and the firmer cushion on the bottom to help with the propulsion provided by the plate.
While most running shoes don’t really need to be broken in, my first run in them I just wasn’t that impressed, but a few more runs and the shoe started to feel pretty good. RTTF athlete Tina Mosley had this same feedback and is part of why I willingly ran in them again!
She says the shoes feel really fast and responsive when she needs it, but also like she can take them out for longer runs. I think that’s a pretty good description of what they are trying to blend!
The other thing to really know about this shoe is how Puma fits. I’ve got a whole section on this below, but narrow foot runners will be thrilled and those with a high arch will probably suffer from lack of room in the midfoot and toe box.
The upper is your standard mesh which isn’t super light or super quick to dry, but pretty standard across daily trainers. That being said, this shoe doesn’t feel thick or heavy or hot while running.
Puma Deviate Nitro 3 Specifications
While this shoe does have “updated geometry” to help with that smooth toe off, you won’t fit it has a rocker feel. But it will serve you for speedier runs, including your race day needs (if you don’t want a max cushion feel).
- Heel toe drop: 10 mm
- Stack: 39 mm
- Weight: 10 oz Men’s, 8.8 oz women’s
- Style: Moderate cushion, neutral carbon plated shoe
- Usage: Daily trainer
- 5 Colorways available
- Some available in wide
- Available at puma.com for $160
They also launched the Puma Deviate Nitro 3 Elite at the same time, which is taking this shoe, dropping some weight and adding the more elite level of foam. This of course raises the price to $230 and puts it in the racing category, where this is designed to be a training shoe.
If you’re looking for a truly cushioned daily trainer, the MagMax Nitro is the winner!
Puma Deviate Nitro 3 Fit
As noted at the beginning, this shoe runs narrow from heel to toe. It does not have a wide toebox or a high mid-foot to accommodate a high arch.
Not only is it a more narrow shoe than other brands, but I noticed that the toe box feels really shallow. I usually wear a size 11 and generally felt ok it that, but Tina noted that she wished she had gone up at least a 1/2 size.
I will also say that consistently I’ve found male runners find the shoe to fit pretty normal for width and females consistently say it feels more narrow, potentially short.
While they have gone with a thin tongue, it’s really different than what other brands are doing. It’s not stiff at all, but more like thick cloth and I’m not opposed to this. Nothing was digging in to the ankle and it still felt comfortable and lightweight.
Plenty of laces for heel lock lacing, though unlikely you will need it in this shoe.
The upper felt pretty locked down and I wasn’t concerned about my foot moving around too much in the shoe.
Feel
The Deviate Nitro 2 was a 6mm drop which I tend to prefer, but they wanted more cushion the 3 and now it’s a 10mm drop. I did notice the drop a little, but was more focused on the toe box so I think for most folks it’s not going to change much.
One of the other things we have to mention about the Deviate Nitro is the outsole. A lot of the faster shoes have stripped away big chunks of rubber and/or almost have a slick feel to them.
We really liked the Puma Grip on here that covers the entire forefoot and big portions of the heel. It’s not surprising to find areas of exposed foam because they are trying to cut some weight to keep it a speedier shoe.
The middle area where you can see the PWRPlate logo can collect rocks. This used to be an issue we ragged on On Running for constantly, so we can’t ignore it here, but again probably only an issue depending on where you run.
Similar Shoes to Deviate Nitro
If you’d like a plated trainer, then here are some similar options. Most of these are not big max cushion style shoes or super fast race day type shoes, so you’re getting that slightly firmer feel.
Does the Silver Heel Spur Do Anything?
While some shoes, have what’s called a trail rudder which can indeed help with downhill running…that’s more in the extended cushioned sole of the shoe. This little silver piece is just there to add to your speeding bullet vibes.
What is Puma Nitro Foam?
Like all brands, Puma has come up with their own proprietary foam.
NITRO foam is used throughout Puma’s lineup of road running shoes. Infused with a mixture of nitrogen gas, this specialized foam undergoes a process that heightens its springiness and bounce.
The nitrogen infusion, a distinctive trait of Puma’s road shoes, contributes to the expansion of the midsoles, amplifying comfort and ensuring optimal responsiveness and propulsion with every stride. Notably, this achievement is attained without compromising the lightweight nature of Puma’s running shoes, a feat that underscores the brand’s commitment to delivering high-performance footwear.
Nitrofoam elite is what you’ll find in the next level up of running shoe, like the Deviate Elite mentioned earlier.
While this shoe is listed as max cushion, we wouldn’t classify it that way.
It’s a nice cushion, but compared to other brands it doesn’t have that same soft feel of say a Hoka Skyflow.
Who Will Like the Deviate Nitro 3?
Having a massive line up of running shoes just isn’t realistic for the average runner and that’s where the Deviate comes in to play. It can handle a lot of different runs and take you through race day with a nice moderate cushion.
I do think runners farther back in the pack will appreciate something with more cushion.
- You like shoes that have a more snug or narrow fit
- Prefer a standard cushion and not big plush max height shoes
- Easy running shoe that can transition to speed
- Can handle a good 10K or even a half marathon
- Not ideal if you want a lighter weight racing shoe
All right there you have it! Our review of the Puma Deviate Nitro 3!
As always, we love your feedback. If you’ve run in this or other Puma shoes, drop a comment below. It absolutely helps other runners who are trying to decide what shoe to try next.
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