Puma Velocity Nitro 3 Introduction
The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is probably one of the best well rounded shoes considering all factors regarding running type and price.
The running industry is primarily made of people who are just wanting to run and the Velocity Nitro 3 will do just that!
If someone was to ask me what shoe should I get to start running I would probably recommend this specific pair due to the price and versatility.
At $135 dollars its nothing short of a miracle to see shoes at this price anymore.
Now lets dive into the versatility.
The Velocity Nitro 3 weighs in at 9.1 oz (men’s size 9) It is not the lightest shoe on the market but yet far from being heavy. It sits in that sweet spot for most runners.
The stack height is 36mm heel/26mm forefoot again not the most cushioned but not lacking in this department. Right in that sweet spot for most runners.
There is no carbon plate or other plated materials built into the shoe.
Starting from the top of the Velocity Nitro 3, the tongue is on the thinner side on materials but it does a very good job at ensuring the laces sit nice along the top of the foot.
A light and open engineered mesh surrounds the upper of the shoe.
As we work our way down towards the inner part of the shoe you see what is called PWRTAPE. This feels like a thin strap like material built into the upper. Simply put it provides some sort of midfoot support.
The midsole is a dual density midsole that means there are two different types of foams creating the midsole platform.
Puma’s Nitro supercritical foam overwhelms the majority of the foam. The foam is squishy and soft which is expected from a foam that is nitrogen-infused. This creates explosive energy especially when pace changing throughout a run.
The bottom layer of the midsole is a firm EVA material a traditional foam used in most running shoes. Puma layered it below the Nitro foam to provide stability and responsiveness.
At last, the bottom of the shoe is covered in Pumagrip, their compound rubber material. In my opinion some of the best rubber in the running shoe game.
I was confident enough to take the Velocity Nitro 3 out on some technical trails due to the amount of rubber on the outsole. If Puma threw some lugs on the outsole you would have a pretty decent daily trainer trail shoe.
One flaw that might not work for some is the fit. The fit was quite comfortable in my opinion but it does run a bit narrow especially towards the forefoot.
The Velocity Nitro 3 is what can be considered a swiss army knife you throw anything at it and it will get the job done.
Puma Velocity Nitro 3 First Impressions
My first impressions after opening the box to the Velocity Nitro 3 my eyes were immediately drawn to the puma logo overlay on the mesh. It looked like the shoe was meant for speed.
I have ran in the Puma Deviate Nitro 2‘s before therefore, I was expecting a similar fit and feel when trying on the Velocity Nitro 3 and it felt completely different.
The Nitro foam is soft and squishy but when you lace them up you can feel that bottom layer of stiffer foam.
I just felt fast standing there when trying them on for the first time.
My first run I actually took them out on the trails because of all the rubber the Velocity Nitro 3 boasts.
The trail consisted of some technical rocks/roots, dirt, and light gravel mixture. I had absolutely no issues with stability or feeling any rocks or roots underfoot.
I also picked up the pace on the downhills to see if they could handle the terrain and sure enough they did.
I immediately knew I was going to be able to use the Velocity Nitro 3 for a wide variety of different training runs.
I did not have any irritation, blisters, or hotspots from my first run in the Velocity Nitro 3.
Puma Velocity Nitro 3 Upper
If I had one complaint it would be the fit again it is not like I hated the fit, It just might not work for everyone.
It runs narrow so runners with wider feet might not find it pleasing to lace up and go. It is one of the more narrow fits than what I am use too but it was quite pleasant because the fit molded around my fit almost precisely.
Maybe if it was even a bit narrower then I probably would have not enjoyed the way they fit. The upper is a light and open engineered mesh nothing to out of this world.
I do appreciate that Puma incorporated the PWRTAPE a strap like material built into the upper. It is a form of hitting mild stability on key points of the foot.
I over-pronate when running and I did not get that sense of pronation in the Velocity Nitro 3 even though they are not a stability trainer.
Puma Velocity Nitro 3 Sole Unit
The sole unit is probably my favorite part of the shoe. Especially the pumagrip. I could tell you all about what the pumagrip is made of but that does not matter because all you need to know is that their rubber outsole material will handle any surface.
From ice to trails and everything in between. I am usually not a big fan of shoes with a lot of rubber on the outsole but the Velocity Nitro 3 is an exception it does not feel clunky.
I am also a huge fan of the Nitro foam from wearing the Deviate Nitro 2 in the past I knew the nitrogen infused foam that Puma uses is sufficient for any type of run.
There is plenty of cushioning to tackle a variety of distances. If you are wanting to run a casual 5k or a 15 mile long run you would be well equipped to handle both of these runs.
I might be baised but the cushioning on the Velocity Nitro 3 is my bread and butter, I am not a huge cushioned shoe type runner and I do not like much ground feel.
This ranges in a category of the perfect in between of minimal ground feel but comfortable underfoot.
The Velocity Nitro 3 is stable underfoot and I did not have any stability concerns; as mentioned throughout this review I even took it out on some pretty technical trails at an 8:05 average pace and did not have any sort of stability issues.
I would be more comfortable taking the Velocity Nitro 3 out on the trails than most Nike trail shoes.
The ride is comfortable and responsive there is a performance type feel when in full stride.
Some might say the shoe was not built for speed but I would argue and say that it could compete against some shoes built for speed.
Puma Velocity Nitro 3 Conclusions
If you want a do it all good deal here it is!
I was not sure how I would feel when testing the Velocity Nitro 3. I judged a book by its cover a shoe at $135 dollars no way it could be anything better than decent right? Well it proved me wrong I was pleasantly surprised not only by the price but the value and versatility that they offer.
From the easy run to the long run to the speed work they do it all.
The Velocity Nitro 3 is a fantastic shoe for people wanting to get started into running or even the seasoned veteran.
If you are ok with a more narrow fit then I would say buy these all day long. I am definitely going to incorporate them more often into my running shoe rotation.
