Puma Deviate Nitro 3 – A Super Trainer at the Top of Its Game!

In the running world, the past few years have been all about the carbon-plated race shoes. As this technology became mainstream, a new category emerged: the super trainer. These training shoes, featuring carbon plates or a hybrid version, cater to speed-seeking runners looking for an edge in their workouts, as well as support easy switch to carbon plated race shoes. The latest buzzword in running gear is now all about these super trainers, and the brand war is intensifying in this space.

With the launch of the Deviate Nitro 3 (DN3), Puma has firmly staked its claim to the throne of this emerging category. Having entered the super trainer game earlier than some competitors—DN3’s predecessor, the DN2, also featured a carbon plate—Puma’s claim to leadership in this space is well-founded.

I’ve been testing the Deviate Nitro 3 (DN3) over the past few weeks across various types of runs, and I think Puma has delivered another winner.

First Impressions:

Right out of the box, the DN3 shoes make an immediate impression:

1. Big:
One of the first things you notice about the DN3 is its substantial stack height. With a 6mm increase over the DN2, these shoes have a stack height of 39mm. This is a significant change compared to the Deviate Nitro 2 (DN2). In fact, DN3 looks bulkier than Puma Nitro Elite 2 – the race shoes.

2. Light & Soft:
The shoes feel light and soft in hand. Puma has incorporated its Elite Nitro foam, previously reserved for race shoes, into this super trainer. This addition complements the new stack dimensions.

3. Bold Look:
Puma is known for its bold and creative colorways, and with the DN3, they’ve gone even bolder, with vibrant colors and prominent branding that throws subtlety out the window.

On the Run

The DN3 provides an incredibly cushioned and bouncy ride. This is due to its innovative midsole, which combines Nitro foam on the outside with Nitro Elite foam on the inside, with a forked carbon plate sandwiched between them. The engineered mesh upper may look firm, but it’s quite stretchy, allowing the shoe to fit snugly around the foot.

On slow long runs (around a 6:00 min/km pace), I found the DN3 to be very comfortable. Despite featuring a carbon plate, the cushioning provides a smooth ride that offsets the typically less forgiving nature of carbon plates. As a result, the DN3 feels almost like a cushioned daily trainer that can handle long distances without causing much distress to the feet.

During speed workouts (between 4:30 min/km to 5:30 min/km), the DN3 truly shines. Tempo and fartlek workouts feel effortless thanks to the shoe’s perfect blend of propulsion and cushioning. The PUMAGRIP outsole (a standard feature in the Nitro series) offers exceptional traction on various surfaces and at different speeds. I even ran a few of my tempo runs on a wet surface, both road and concrete, without any slippages and I felt confident of hitting through the puddles too.

For race pace or faster workouts (paces below 4:30 min/km), the DN3 tries to keep up but falls slightly short, which is expected. I found myself wanting more propulsion and energy return during race pace and interval workouts, but that’s not what the DN3 is designed for. These are super trainers, not race shoes. However, they are a step up from their predecessor, the DN2, which, while solid, wasn’t as fast. The DN3 is good enough for occasional tune-up races or a B-race (as runners call it) to help preserve mileage on expensive carbon plated race shoes.

Stability and Fit

The DN3 is very stable during speed workouts, though there were a few wobbles on sharp turns. Being prone to ankle rollovers, I naturally exercised caution during quick direction changes. Additionally, I found the midfoot area of the shoe to be quite narrow. It appears Puma has shaved off quite a bit of the outsole to reduce weight, creating a deep recess that exposes the PWRPlate—this recess is deeper and longer compared to the DN2. During one run, I even had a small stone get wedged in there. Many other runners have also experienced this. Come on Puma, how did you miss this!

The PWRPlate fork seems to favor the inner side of the foot, which could compromise stability for those who naturally pronate outward. These are just my initial observations!

As for fit, the DN3 wraps snugly around the foot. DN3 generally run true to the size; a few of my fellow runners found them half a size bigger though. The partially gusseted tongue is the right length and cushioned in the right areas to keep the laces secure. The toe box is slightly narrow, similar to the DN2. The heel fit is solid, providing adequate support and cushioning. Puma has replaced the traditional heel counter with a unique fin-like plastic tab on the outside. I’m not sure what specific benefit this fin offers. For runners who, like me, prefer to slip their shoes on and off without untying the laces, this plastic fin can be a bit of a nuisance if you’re not careful. It feels like an unnecessary addition that Puma could easily eliminate.

DN3 features optimal weight to support the demand of being good for daily runs as well as speed workouts. Interestingly DN3 are slightly heavier than its predecessor DN2, but they feel much lighter on the run.

Who Are These Shoes For?

I found the DN3 to be extremely versatile, performing well across slow runs, speed workouts, and even occasional races. The well-cushioned high stack with a 10mm drop makes these shoes suitable for heel strikers as well as midfoot and forefoot strikers.

If you’re looking for lightweight, well-cushioned shoes for speed workouts, the DN3 is a great choice. They’re also ideal for purists who prefer one shoe for all their training needs instead of having multiple pairs.

With a price tag of Rs 15,999, the DN3 offers excellent value for those looking to upgrade to carbon-plated shoes without breaking the bank. They are among the best super trainers available, so anyone looking to add carbon-plated shoes to their speed workout routine should consider the DN3.

Who Are These Shoes Not For?

Given the shoes’ versatility and the features they offer at a reasonable price point, there aren’t many reasons to NOT go for the DN3. However, they may not be the best choice for runners looking for highly cushioned shoes specifically for long, slow runs. They also might not be ideal for runners who need extra stability and support.

Report Card:

(Scale of 1 to 5 with 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest)

Verdict:

The Puma Deviate Nitro 3 is one of the best super trainers available in the market currently. These incredibly versatile shoes are a perfect addition to your shoe rack for daily runs, speed workouts, and occasional races. Their attractive price point also makes them one of the best value-for-money super trainers available.

Puma has certainly scored a big hit with the DN3. With a few updates to enhance stability (broaden the mid foot zone and fix the deep recess in the sole) and some tweaks (like replacing the plastic fin heel support), these shoes have the potential to become a blockbuster hit.

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PS: This is not a paid post (though I wouldn’t mind if it were!). Like all my other notes, I write purely out of my passion for the wonderful sport of running. There’s definitely some personal bias here, but if you’ve made it this far, thank you so much for reading. If you found this article helpful, do the community a favor—share it within your network so others can benefit as well. Stay inspired, and keep running.

PPS: Puma India supports our running group, Running Ninjas, for some our our key annual community events.