Puma Deviate Nitro 3 Review — Turning it Up a Notch

There are a few running shoes on the market that make for a perfectly fine daily option, giving you ample cushioning, support, and comfort for those neighbourhood excursions; but for those who’ve elevated their 5kms to 10kms, or are signing up for their next half-marathon, they might need a simple answer buts something that also gives a little more oomph and propulsion.

Enter the Puma Deviate Nitro 3 — a light, straightforward, and extremely bouncy running shoe that improves on the already-impressive Deviate Nitro line from the Big Cat brand, and spices it up with a few new tricks to warrant the upgrade.

The highlighted features of the Nitro 3 include Puma’s nitrogen-injected Nitrofoam in the sole, a very soft and lightweight mesh upper, and the brand’s PWRplate that resides in the sole.

Now, the Puma Deviate Nitro 3 is a soft, bouncy ride, but not to the extent of some other hyper-squishy silos on the market. It’s got a lot of ‘give’, but a surprising amount of stability, ensuring that your foot doesn’t feel like it’s going side to side. This softness underfoot combined with the stable guidance really is a standout feeling with the Deviate Nitro 3.

To add a little ‘kick’ to your run, the Deviate Nitro 3 does feature a carbon plate embedded in the foam, giving you a bit more responsiveness and snapback with each foot-plant. It’s not over the top, though, and delivers a subtle amount of springiness versus a no-plated pair of runners — so it’s the perfect first foray into a carbon-plated shoe for those unfamiliar with the feeling.

The Deviate Nitro 3 also features a 10mm heel-to-toe drop, so you’re getting a notably high and elevated feeling that keeps you on your toes and moving forward pretty promptly. These are definitely an ideal option for those who like to prioritise comfort and a moderate to high pace with their runs over slower more relaxed jogs.

On the underside of the shoe, you also get the Pumagrip textured rubber (continuing the partnership with Continental and utilising their rubber and tread technology), and this ‘if it ain’t broke…’ decision is the right one as it’s arguably the best under sole grip in the running game. You can move at a rapid pace through wet and less grippy roads with all the confidence in the world that your shoes will provide the traction you need.

Puma continues to innovate in smart and conservative ways with the Deviate line, and the Deviate Nitro 3 is a step forward with some subtle tweaks and additions that make a solid shoe even better.

The Puma Deviate Nitro 3 are priced at R3,799 and are available from Puma’s online store and select retailers nationwide.