Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 review

We believe the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 excels for:

• Runners seeking a nimble, race-ready supershoe that tackles distances from the mile to the marathon.
• Those who found the previous Deviate Nitro Elite lacking excitement—Puma fixed that, making it a thrilling ride.
• Midfoot strikers looking for a high drop supershoe with outstanding performance and superb energy return.

We believe the Deviate Nitro Elite 3's lack of stability might be a dealbreaker for some. Its narrow build brings excitement and speed, but it’s not ideal for everyone. In our view, if stability is what you're after, the Nike Alphafly 3 or Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 are far more stable, marathon-suited options, while still offering comparable speed.

Additionally, we think that forefoot strikers may struggle with the high heel-to-toe drop of the Deviate Nitro Elite 3. If that’s a concern, we suggest the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris as a better alternative or the Rocket X 2 for those who prefer Hoka's signature feel.

Speaking of pushing boundaries, Puma has met the current challenge to every supershoe manufacturer by maximizing the stack height near the 40-mm limit set by World Athletics. They achieved it with 39.2 mm of plush cushioning in the heel.

And don't worry, we'll also delve into the state-of-the-art Nitro Elite foam. But let us tell you that it provides exceptional cushioning, and as many midfoot strikers involuntarily shift to heel landings after mile 20 in a marathon due to fatigue, this towering 39.2-mm stack height in the heel offers a crucial advantage.

In our lab, the forefoot measured at 28.6 mm, typical for most supershoes and adequate for forefoot strikers, though slightly thinner than expected. And this reading introduces a minor issue that we will explore next.

By the way, the carbon plate isn't as thick as it appears. During the process of cutting the shoe in half, the foam can sometimes turn black from the debris.

After our measurements, we discovered a 10.6-mm heel-to-toe drop, which is slightly higher than preferred.

Although this is beneficial for those with calf or Achilles tendon issues, the shoe's narrow rearfoot makes it less suitable for heel strikers. We would have favored an 8-mm drop as advertised, though the actual difference of 2.6 mm is relatively minor anyway.

We discovered the insole typical of a top racer, measuring just 2.8 mm in thickness—a more streamlined option compared to what you'd find in a daily trainer like the Velocity Nitro 3.

The most notable upgrade in the Deviate Nitro Elite 3 over its predecessor might go unnoticed, but we're here to ensure that's not happening. Although it retains the Nitro Elite name, this is a whole different compound.

Puma has switched from a supercritical PEBA mix to an industry-first aliphatic TPU foam, enhancing durability and UV resistance. This change significantly boosts performance in the later stages of a marathon by reducing foam fatigue and extends the shoe's shelf life.

The main foam in the shoe is exceptionally soft, registering at 15.1 HA on our durometer. Puma strategically layers two different foam densities around a stiff carbon plate, a setup reminiscent of the popular Vaporfly design that many brands have followed since 2017.

Regarding energy return, we found that this foam performs on par with leading PEBA-based materials such as ZoomX or PWRRUN HG. And yes, the shoe consistently delivered exceptional bounce back during our runs, particularly at faster paces.

As previously mentioned, Puma incorporates two different Nitro Elite foams in this shoe, one softer than the other. 

The secondary foam, positioned closer to the ground and below the carbon plate, is slightly firmer and denser, measured at 18.3 HA. This is clearly geared towards enhancing stability, but with a minimal difference of 3.2 HA, is subtle and mostly indiscernible outside of our lab.

While the A-TPU Nitro Elite foam offers several advancements over traditional PEBA-based materials, it falls short in cold temperature performance. Our freezer test revealed a disappointing 25.8% uptick, which fell below our expectations.

Right from unboxing and fitting, it was clear that the Deviate Nitro Elite 3 might not be the best choice for those with wide feet.

The upper's widest section measures 95.7 mm—not crazy narrow but snug enough to deliver a classic racer, performance-oriented fit. Vertically, though, it offers ample room for toe movement, enhancing comfort and preventing some black toenails!

The big toe area is also narrower than typical, measuring 75.4 mm, indicating a tapered shape more than we'd prefer.

For those with very wide feet, this might be a deal-breaker, though sizing up half a size could alleviate the issue. 

We observed that the tongue is not fixed to the sides, which might seem unexpected in a high-end shoe. However, this feature is standard in supershoes, specifically designed to minimize weight for optimal performance.

Additionally, it's important to note that this non-gusseted design significantly improves ventilation, particularly in the medial area, ensuring enhanced breathability during races.

This is a fact—the Deviate Nitro Elite 3 is not ideal for runners who prioritize stability in a supershoe. It's a classic, streamlined racer designed for those with solid running form and a neutral stride.

Puma has opted to exclude substantial midsole sidewalls and sole flare, particularly in the heel area, which, despite its high drop, makes this shoe potentially too unstable for rearfoot strikers.

Yet, this lack of stability simply offers a different appeal for a specific group of runners. It's more aggressive, lively, and nimble compared to other supershoes, catering especially to high-cadence individuals tackling shorter, faster distances like 5/10K races.

As you already know, the DNE3 features a stiff carbon plate, and this design delivers exceptional torsional rigidity. During our manual test, we assigned it a max score of 5 out of 5, fully meeting our expectations.

Despite its minimal heel structure, earning a 1/5 stiffness rating, we experienced no heel slippage whatsoever.

Puma adopts a design strategy similar to ASICS' racers—featuring a slightly padded collar that hints at tempo training shoes for a bit more security than ultra-flexible models like the Saucony Endorphin Elite.

Those seeking a fast, nimble, and agile racer that lives up to Puma's reputation will find it in the Deviate Nitro Elite 3. As mentioned earlier, this shoe isn’t about stability—it’s all about speed and responsiveness. The 108.0-mm measurement we recorded using our digital calipers clearly demonstrates that.

Because of this, while it can handle marathons and perform a great job, we believe it shines brightest in shorter races.

The heel's narrow 82.7 mm width, coupled with the absence of stability features, underscores this shoe's suitability for midfoot and forefoot strikers looking for a high-drop racer.

In our assessment, the Elite 3 demonstrated a high 51.4N in our 90-degree bend test—a typical indication of a shoe integrating a carbon plate. This substantial stiffness often translates the shoe into feeling somewhat cumbersome during runs at easy paces, which we generally do not advise, especially given its narrower build.

Following a 20-minute nap in the freezer, we re-evaluated the shoe's stiffness and recorded a slight increase to 52.2N of force—a mere 1.5% surge. This minor change is barely perceptible, even in the coldest conditions.

Historically, the weight of the Deviate Nitro series has been a drawback compared to state-of-the-art supershoes like the Nike Vaporfly 3, with Puma facing challenges in achieving ultra-lightweight designs.

However, our scale now shows a nice figure of just 7.2 oz or 204g, marking a significant improvement from previous models. For us, this weight is highly competitive and should satisfy most runners, though we believe Puma could still benefit from reducing it to below 7 ounces to keep up with industry advancements—most brands are really pushing the boundaries!

To begin our lab test of the Deviate Nitro Elite 3, we examined its ventilation, which looks promising due to the Ultraweave engineered mesh upper, which is as thin as a razor.

Using our smoke machine, we discovered that the toebox expels air at a solid pace, though it doesn't match the breathability of other supershoes we've tested. Consequently, we gave it a solid 4/5, which we think it's sufficient to handle even the hottest races.

Next, we moved the cut-in-half DNE3 over a powerful light to highlight its construction and the minimalistic thickness. Puma enhanced stability with its logo and included PWRTAPE reinforcements, a common feature in their shoes.

While monomesh uppers generally impress under the microscope, the Deviate Nitro Elite 3 was particularly striking. The threads are incredibly thin and display remarkable precision.

The Nitro Elite 3 integrates a few thermoplastics in the upper, but they are not intrusive or noticeable by any means.

Overall, this is exactly what we anticipate from a modern marathon shoe: well-ventilated, even at the heel, where those holes add a premium touch. Despite the minimal padding, we found it to be more substantial than in other supershoes.

Regular visitors to RunRepeat might have anticipated our Dremel test results after seeing the microscope images, which showcased the upper's delicate nature.

What you see below the upper is a cardboard piece used to maintain the shape during testing, ensuring all tests are consistent and fair.

Indeed, the material proved to be really fragile. We inevitably had to assign it the lowest possible rating.

The Deviate Nitro Elite 3 turned the tide in our second evaluation with the Dremel tool.

We discovered that the heel counter's lining held up impressively, partly due to the minimal padding in the shoe. Nonetheless, the results were outstanding.

Let's be clear—we believe PumaGrip is becoming so good it's challenging Continental for the title of best rubber in road running shoes.

For this shoe, Puma opted for a 72.6 HC rubber, aiming for even better grip than their training models by reducing the hardness. It's like a Formula 1 car—the softer the tire, the better the grip.

And in rainy conditions? Once again, Puma delivers performance that rivals Adidas' Continental. It appears to us there's still a huge rivalry between the two brands founded by the Dassler brothers, each pushing the other to greater innovations.

But high grip comes at a cost, as we discovered using our Dremel against the PumaGrip rubber.

While a 20-second test is rigorous, we apply the same challenge to every shoe with consistent force. Afterwards we noted a 1.6-mm dent, more wear than usual but an expected outcome for a  grippy supershoe. However, this might make the DNE3 less suitable for tempo training and extended mileage.

We measured a rubber thickness of 2.6 mm, which should ensure a respectable shelf life for a supershoe despite the rubber wearing out slightly faster than average.

While running shoe prices have generally increased, the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 offers a delightful exception.

Despite surpassing the $200 mark, it remains one of the most budget-friendly racing shoes. Let's not forget that this model impressively combines a lightweight design, a carbon plate, and a second-to-none superfoam!

This colorway is so unique that we expected some reflective details, but it seems Puma let us down here. In our view, adding reflective elements would have made this shoe even better for low-light tempo workouts!

Most road running shoes without a gusseted tongue typically feature a single loop to prevent shifting, but Puma has introduced a dual-loop, parallel design in this shoe. And it works amazing.

We were also impressed by the intelligent padding on the tongue. Unlike most racing shoes that have minimal padding, Puma cleverly combines a sleek, paper-thin tongue with a concentrated cushion right where the laces tighten, achieving an ideal balance of comfort and lightness.

PUMA has retained the same heel design from previous models, omitting the heel tab. While this design choice makes the shoe slightly more challenging to put on, it remains one of the easiest supershoes to slip into quickly, also making it a practical option for triathlons.

By the way, congrats to Puma for putting out this AW24 Major Marathons colorway. They even showcased the current records—including Kiptum's 2:00:35—despite none of them being set by Puma athletes.

Unlike many marathon shoes where the insole is permanently fixed, the Deviate Nitro Elite 3 allows for its removal. You can easily swap it out, although the original insole is so cool that we prefer to keep it as is!