Puma has been one of those running shoe companies that sprang to life during the pandemic. We wrote about this transformation at the time, but several key instances led to this progression. Notably, some big-time runners won races with Puma shoes on their feet. Up until that point, I had only considered Puma a soccer shoe company, but this really turned the tide.
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Like much of the pandemic, Puma faced supply issues. People wanted Puma shoes, but the company had challenges getting them to market. We were lucky to get our hands on a couple of pairs during that time, but for the general public, it was challenging to access them.
Now, four years later, Puma is rolling along better than ever. People love their shoes, and we have found most pairs to be really solid. It’s not often that we have a pair of Puma shoes on our feet that we don’t appreciate for their visuals and feel.
This summer, Puma launched their new line, including the Puma Deviate NITRO 3. The brand continues to innovate and attract more runners, cementing its place in the running shoe market.
Please note that we are reviewing the “non-elite” version of the Puma Deviate NITRO 3. While there is an elite version geared heavily towards elite speed, our focus is on the more mainstream version of the shoe.
We reviewed the version two back in 2022 and the original version in 2021. Overall, the V2 and V3 appear relatively similar, with some visual updates and foam height modifications.
Looks:
Each pair of Puma shoes boasts a visually appealing style, featuring bright reds and oranges that evoke a sense of speed and fire. The Deviate NITRO 3 is no different. It is emblazoned with more words than previous versions, with “NITRO” prominently displayed on the medial side. This bold design choice will likely be polarizing—people will either love it or not. Personally, I prefer the subtler visuals of the V2, which I thought were amazing.
Despite my preference for the previous design, this version is still impressive. It maintains a similar colorway and theme, offering a fresh yet familiar look. While it’s a little different, it remains true to Puma’s vibrant and dynamic aesthetic.
Fit & Construction:
The shoe has a higher stack height, measuring 39 mm in the heel and 29 mm in the forefoot, resulting in a 10 mm drop. The previous version had an 8 mm drop with a 38 mm heel. It’s slightly heavier than the previous version, but a half-ounce difference isn’t likely to matter much for most of us.
Upper:
Its light feel and flashy color scheme make it perfect for those training runs. The upper is super breathable and made with at least 20% recycled materials, which is a nice touch.
I really liked the thicker tongue—it gave a snug fit, and the PWRTAPE kept everything locked down nicely. Some folks have mentioned heel slippage and attribute it to the plastic shark fin heel counter, but I didn’t have that issue. The shoe did feel a bit stiff right out of the box, but it loosened up after a few runs.
Midsole:
The midsole features a plate sandwiched between two foams. Specifically, the PWRPLATE is positioned between a top layer of NITRO Elite foam and Puma’s NITROFOAM, a nitrogen-infused compound. This design offers a nice balance between comfort and responsiveness.
Despite reviewing many plated shoes, I often find myself on the fence. As a 40-year-old runner who prefers comfort and consistency over speed, I appreciate the balance Puma offers. While I may not be a super speedy runner, I still use plated shoes for specific situations when comfort is essential. Puma’s more flexible forked plate design, used in their daily running shoes, provides more comfort compared to the full carbon plate used in their racing shoes, which maximizes propulsion.
The Puma Deviate NITRO 3 is designed to be a fast training shoe, and I’d agree with that assessment. It’s light enough and provides ample cushion and propulsion to fit this bill, making it a great option to run alongside one of their speedier shoes.
Outsole:
One standout feature of Puma shoes is their exceptional outsole Pumagrip, which we’ve praised in multiple reviews. It’s tough to find fault here because this is arguably the best on the market. Most outsoles can handle Oregon weather, but Puma’s always feel more than up to the task. We have nothing but positive praise for the outsole performance.
Overall:
Overall, if I had to choose, I’d still lean towards version two, but the Puma Deviate NITRO 3 is by no means a bad shoe. It’s very comfortable and a great option for many runners. It’s perfect for those looking for a reliable daily trainer with a bit of a plate to keep you moving forward.
Puma Deviate NITRO 3 $160
Specs & Socials:
- Weight: Men’s 8.8 oz (M9)
- Stack: 29mm forefoot / 39mm heel
- Drop: 10mm
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Thank you to Puma for providing us with test items. Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
