Puma Deviate Nitro 3 Review: A Super Fine Feline

What You Need To Know

Introduction to the Puma Deviate Nitro 3

THOMAS: Since the first version, the Puma Deviate Nitro has been my favorite Puma shoe, and it remains a favorite with the third version. The Deviate Nitro performs well for all your running needs. It is comfortable enough for easy paces and responsive enough for tempo runs and racing. The third version makes improvements, from the new knit upper with PWR Tape overlays to the use of two different foams sandwiching the PWR Plate. The shoe feels familiar, but elevated.

The two foams make all the difference in the Deviate Nitro 3, not just in comparison to the previous Deviate, but to all the plated super trainers. The top layer closest to your foot is Puma’s Nitro Elite foam, the same aliphatic TPU foam that’s used in the Deviate Nitro Elite race shoe. This layer gives a soft landing and lots of rebound.

Below the carbon composite plate is the Nitro foam, which is just a bit firmer than the Elite foam. The Pwr Plate is more flexible/less harsh than the race day carbon plate in the Deviate Nitro Elite. It still delivers the stiffening forward propulsion, just at a more friendly flexibility for casual paces. Think of it like a car’s suspension. The sports car suspension is tuned tight and unforgiving, while the commercial car suspension can handle rougher roads and get you to your destination with more comfort. In that metaphor, the Deviate Nitro Elite is the sportscar while the Deviate Nitro is the commercial car.

PumaGrip rubber remains on the outsole to give you the traction Puma shoes have become known for.

JON: I have two cats: Waffle and Toast. They can be pretty lazy. They’ll sleep in the sun all day and have no care in the world at all. Then there are the times they get a random burst of energy and get the zoomies at 2 a.m. on a Wednesday night. I’ve had the pleasure of jolting out of bed to the sound of a crash followed by  galloping, chasing, and meowing the rest of the night. Once they get going, they really won’t stop.

After some lazy Caturday chilling, Puma got the big cat zoomies a few years ago and revamped their long distance running line. They haven’t stopped since and have kept the momentum going with the Deviate Nitro 3; an affordably priced carbon plated trainer.  

I did not run in the Deivate Nitro 2, but the most noticeable update from last year is a change in geometry with higher stack and an increased drop (6 mm to 10 mm). 

I’m a big fan of the carbon plated sidekick trainer to a premium plated racer. When done right, it can be a great addition to your rotation. Time to see if the big cat’s zoomies carry on through the night.

What we like about the Puma Deviate Nitro 3

THOMAS: Puma nailed this shoe. The upper fit is true to size, if not a little long. The padded collar is soft without being overly stuffed. The gusseted tongue protects the top of the arch from the laces without feeling bulky. The vamp has an open knit for breathability, while the feather-light PWR tape overlays add the structure for a really sweet lockdown. The upper looks good and performs well. 

The midsole is where the shoe comes alive. Puma added a little stack to this version, moving the shoe from 8 mm to 10 mm. As a result, I didn’t notice much of a change in the ride. What I did notice was the near-perfect combo of soft landings and energetic take-offs. The best detail about that is how well the cushioning handles multiple paces. The shoe feels good at slower paces and comes alive when you pick it up. Don’t worry about the plate, it isn’t harsh. The shoe flexes well and doesn’t feel rigid. 

If you have read any of our previous Puma reviews, you know we unanimously love PumaGrip rubber. It is tacky, grippy, and durable.

My US M10.5 weighs 9.9 oz./290 grams. For everything that is packed into the shoe, the weight is on the lighter side.

JON: This is a great shoe from top to bottom. Puma’s theme of colorways is loud and clear between the bright orange colorway and nitro in giant lettering on the medial side. It’s hard to pull this off without it looking corny (looking at you Skechers) but it was executed great. 

The engineered mesh upper is snug and comfortable giving a true-to-size fit with ample room in the toe box. It’s a little narrow in the midfoot so I would go with wide sizing if you need it; but for me it was fine. The material stretched without any discomfort and I was easily able to run in these over the 90-minute mark several times without any fit issues. The heel locks nicely in place and it never overheated in the oppressive humid summer I took them out in.

The midsole is squishy yet responsive; the top soft layer of Nitro Elite complemented the firmer Nitro foam on the bottom nicely.  It was comfortable on impact, with the plate in the middle of the two foams providing stability and pep on liftoff. The 10 mm drop had me naturally running at an easier and relaxed pace, but I could switch gears to faster stuff with ease. 

Lastly, the outsole is nothing short of amazing. It provided great control and traction in all conditions and is extremely durable. In 50 miles of testing I saw minimal wear and I can see these lasting a long time. This is the best road running outsole right now.

What we don’t like about the Puma Deviate Nitro 3

THOMAS: I don’t have any criticism for the Puma Deviate Nitro 3. As a versatile daily trainer, the Puma team covered the bases. If pressed, I would say move two millimeters of stack to the front of the shoe and return the drop to 8 mm. That is more of a personal preference though.

JON: I’ve really got nothing bad to say here. Puma nailed it. The only thing I could think of was the exterior plastic on the heel looked silly; like it had spurs you would see on a cowboy boot. It wasn’t until I was taking them off post run that I saw that the plastic allowed my opposite foot to push the shoe off with ease preserving the heel’s integrity. As someone who rips their shoes off their feet when done, this was a rootin’ tootin’ win.

Final thoughts on the Puma Deviate Nitro 3

THOMAS: I can’t see the Puma Deviate Nitro 3 not making our top daily trainer or super trainer lists this year. I am confident this shoe will work for the majority of runners. For everything you can do in this shoe, $160 feels like a good price point. It can take the place of a daily trainer and a race shoe. If I were to outfit my teenager with one shoe for a season, this would be it. 

JON:I’ve always been a big fan of the plated trainer; my favorites being Saucony’s Endorphin Speed, Nike’s defunct Tempo Next% (RIP), and the Zoom Fly. The Deviate Nitro 3 just rose to the top of this category for me and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s a do-it-all shoe that compliments my racing shoes nicely. 

I can also see this working great for someone looking to dive into the carbon plated shoe game but not wanting to pay an arm and a leg. It’s a home run from the big cat and shows that the energy is endless (just like my cats in the middle of the night).

You can pick up the Puma Deviate Nitro 3 for $160 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.