Everyone loves a great sequel but sometimes the third time is not the charm in a running shoe universe where changes are frequent and jarring enough to change the flavor your favorite footwear.
The Puma Deviate Nitro 3 is the third iteration of a shoe we’ve been able to explore since it launched in 2021. With many longstanding nameplates like the Brooks Ghost or Nike Pegasus, you rarely come across someone who has put miles on these shoes back in their infancy. Puma’s Deviate Nitro helped served as the face of the company’s newer distance running efforts with a greater plan to stand out in a very crowded field of daily trainers, supershoes and tons of options in between.
Version three of the Deviate Nitro brings back a solid combination of price, meaty cushioning and carbon-plated performance in a package that that’s versatile for speedy sessions and longer mileage.
Changes and Notable Features
The Deviate Nitro 3 rides on a higher stack than its predecessor at 39mm (compared to 33.5mm) with an extra serving of its NITRO foam, which is foam is injected with a nitrogen gas mixture. More is always welcome and the weight of the shoe doesn’t seem to suffer this year’s increase in stack.
The carbon plate remains in the Deviate Nitro line and keeps the ride snappy with a generous amount of energy return. Puma was The midsole feels a bit softer than the Deviate Nitro 2 and owners of the prior models will notice less firmness during workouts. Still, Puma’s Deviate Nitro Elite — at the top of the company’s offerings — boasts supple Elite foam with a plush ride.
For the Deviate Nitro 3, the change in ride quality gives this shoe more personality and I found myself grabbing it for easier runs and not just for speedwork.
The upper features a slightly reworked engineered mesh that’s breathable and feels confidently locked down. There’s just enough padding on the collar that leaves your Achilles and ankle feeling unbothered, and this shoe runs true to size as a result. The toe box gets a more room than the past model and there was never a point of being bunched up on speedier sessions or sudden stops.
Meanwhile, the gusset-style tonight is partially attached the both sides of the inner portion of the upper, remained in place on longer runs and didn’t need a great deal of adjusting since it sits higher than most shoes I’ve tested.
Personal Opinions
The Deviate Nitro 3 builds on what has quickly become a solid nameplate and can easily rival another of my favorite carbon plated trainers, the Saucony Endorphin Speed (or the New Balance SC Trainer). At $160, however, it faces super stiff competition from similarly priced models from other brands with far more established models — and way deeper lineups that flat out give customers more choices.
But that shouldn’t be a deterrent or disqualify the Deviate Nitro 3 since it the sum of all of the tweaks to this show are a substantial update over last year’s effort.
After clocking a little over 50 miles in this shoe, I will still add it to my shortlist of trainers I can rely on without having to think twice. The bulk of my mileage in the Deviate Nitro 3 were in paved roads, on the track and the occasional detour on dirt/gravel paths, with the responsive upper giving a generous amount of expected pop. And at 9.9oz (290g) on my size 11.5 tester, the lockdown of the upper kept my feel dialed in but never feeling too heavy even if the shoe can appear bulky at some angles.
Overall Thoughts
I’m a big fan of the consistency approach Puma continues to take with the Deviate Nitro 3. The updates are noticeable but logical enough to keep an edge on the booming carbon plate segment of the market for those buyers not looking to splurge on a pricey race day option. The Deviate Nitro 3 is a worthy companion to a supershoe, but composed so that you won’t feel regretful on a run that’s not totally speed. focused.
A reworked upper, more stack at the heel and a very grippy rubber sole are worth grabbing the third generation of this shoe or — in the very least — giving it serious consideration at your local runner shop.
THE BREAKDOWN
Specs for the Puma Deviate NITRO 3
· Weight: (9.9oz / 290g) and (8.8oz / 251g)
· Stack height and drop: 39mm and 10mm
· Important features: NITROFOAM nitrogen-infused foam, engineered mesh upper, carbon fiber plate
· Price: $160
· Release date: July 2024
How We Tested This Shoe
· Men: Size 11.5 (9.9oz / 290g)
· Women: Size 8 (8.8oz / 251g)
· Running conditions: Long runs, tempo runs and speedwork on the track, asphalt and gravel/dirt paths
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Puma Deviate NITRO 3 – Men
Puma Deviate NITRO 3 – Women
