The PUMA Fast‑R NITRO Elite 3 is an aggressive super shoe built for racing and high‑intensity runs. It's significantly lighter than its predecessor, the Fast-R 2, and weighs less than most other carbon-plated racers. That weight loss mainly comes from a less substantial PUMAGRIP outsole and a paper‑thin upper. The result is a super shoe that feels noticeably sharper than the more approachable PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3. At marathon effort and faster, its carbon plate NITROFOAM ELITE midsole and aggressive geometry combine to generate efficient forward momentum. This is especially true for forefoot strikers, who will benefit most from its unique design. Treat it like a supercar: as a dedicated race tool, it simply doesn't come alive at anything slower.
Our Verdict
The PUMA Fast‑R NITRO Elite 3 is an excellent marathon racer, combining a feather‑light build with a snappy NITROFOAM ELITE midsole and carbon plate that sustains forward momentum efficiently. Its aggressive rocker and decoupled midsole geometry encourage a consistent forefoot strike, though you'll need precise form given the minimal stability. In practice, however, the way the shoe activates under load upon each strike means lateral stability isn't too bad once you're rolling at race pace.
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Carbon fiber plate.
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Very lightweight.
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A-TPU foam delivers a very bouncy ride.
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NITROFOAM ELITE is very protective.
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Not the most stable super shoe.
The PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 is a great shorter-distance racing option, thanks largely to its ultralight weight and lively midsole. The forefoot foam by itself isn't the snappiest on the market, but it's braced by a carbon plate that actually extends beyond the toe, so toe‑offs still feel explosive. Overall, it delivers an efficient and propulsive drive when you push off, making it a compelling choice for 5K and 10K efforts.
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Carbon fiber plate.
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Very lightweight.
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A-TPU foam delivers a very bouncy ride.
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Forefoot could be firmer.
The PUMA Fast‑R NITRO Elite 3 offers amazing energy return, thanks to its NITROFOAM ELITE midsole made of A-TPU. Each landing is converted into a dynamic and bouncy feel, so at threshold and race paces, you sense a continuous pop that carries you into the next stride.
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A-TPU foam delivers a very bouncy ride.
Despite stripping back weight, the PUMA Fast‑R NITRO Elite 3 doesn't compromise the excellent underfoot protection. The heel is plush enough to absorb impact without feeling too mushy, and the forefoot is sufficiently cushioned to remain protective for longer efforts.
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NITROFOAM ELITE is very protective.
Because the PUMA Fast‑R NITRO Elite 3 uses a decoupled midsole design, its outsole shows an almost nonexistent arch width, resulting in a low score. In practice, however, that narrow section isn't really activated when running due to the overall geometry, so you won't feel much instability, especially if your form is solid. That said, it remains a performance‑focused super‑shoe, so don't expect much stability either if you drift off a clean strike pattern.
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Carbon fiber plate.
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High stack height.
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Heel foam is quite soft and wobbly.
- 8.4 Marathon Racing
- 8.2 5K/10K Racing
Performance Usages
- 8.7 Energy Return
- 8.7 Cushioning
- 3.4 Lateral Stability
Changelog
- Updated May 14, 2025: Review published.
- Updated May 08, 2025: Early access published.
- Updated May 02, 2025: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated May 02, 2025: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Apr 30, 2025: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the PUMA Fast‑R NITRO Elite 3 in men's US size 9, as indicated on the label of our unit. The specific colorway shown here is PUMA White/Glowing Red/Mint Melt. This model is available in only this one colorway; no wide or special editions are currently offered. Most of our review results are valid for all size and gender variants, though the design section applies only to the PUMA White/Glowing Red/Mint Melt model we tested.
Compared To Other Running Shoes
The PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 is a standout in the super shoe category, delivering a uniquely aggressive and efficient ride. Its split midsole design, prominent rocker, and very responsive midsole work together to offer a highly propulsive and energetic toe-off. It's also among the lightest racing shoes available, enhancing running efficiency. Still, it's far from reaching the ultra-light weight of the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1. That said, its aggressive design may favor those who strike closer to their forefoot, and runners with a heel-striking gait might find it less stable and efficient for them, especially during longer distances. This shoe is clearly optimized for the marathon, offering enough cushioning to stay protected deep into the race, but it remains capable across a variety of distances. That said, its forefoot isn't as snappy as dedicated short-distance super shoes like the ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS or the Nike Vaporfly 4, which deliver a more tuned feel for 5Ks and 10Ks.
Within PUMA's lineup, it sits above the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3, offering an aggressive, lighter, and more race-tuned ride for serious performance seekers.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best running shoes.
The Nike Alphafly 3 and the PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 are both elite marathon racing shoes, but they take different paths to performance. The Puma is significantly lighter and features a more responsive midsole, which contributes to a highly efficient, energetic ride, especially for forefoot strikers. In contrast, the Alphafly 3 delivers a unique mechanical sensation through its Air Zoom pods, which add just the right amount of firmness in the forefoot, creating an experience that's both bouncy and controlled. The Nike's geometry is less extreme, making it more accessible to a wider range of strike patterns.
The PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3 and the PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 are both carbon-plated racers, but they cater to different needs and racing styles. The Deviate NITRO Elite 3 is a more versatile option, with a traditional single-slab midsole that works well for a variety of workouts and races. It's better suited for runners who want a super shoe that can double as a workout partner for tempo efforts and doesn't feel overly aggressive underfoot. In contrast, the Fast-R 3 is more specialized and aggressive, with a split midsole design that delivers a noticeably more responsive ride. It's also significantly lighter and more efficient, especially at higher speeds. While the Fast-R 3 is clearly the more race-optimized option, particularly for midfoot and forefoot strikers, the Deviate NITRO Elite 3 remains a strong pick for runners seeking a balance between performance and adaptability.
The ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS and the PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 are two elite racing shoes built for speed, but they take very different approaches. Both are lightweight and designed for high performance, but the PUMA is more aggressive overall, featuring a split midsole and pronounced rocker that creates a propulsive ride, which is especially effective for midfoot and forefoot strikers. The ASICS, in contrast, has a firmer forefoot, delivering a snappy toe-off that excels in shorter efforts and controlled pacing, but with a more traditional and smoother transition. The ASICS feels more precise and stable, particularly over shorter distances where ground contact and control matter more.
Test Results
The shoe is remarkably light, noticeably so even among today's super shoes. You'll sense the weight drop the moment you pick it up versus the previous Fast-R 2 or PUMA's more approachable super shoe, the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3, and that translates into an efficient experience in every stride.
While the fit remains snug and performance-focused, the internal shape is more accommodating than some other super shoes, making it a better match for a wider range of foot types.
As shown, the carbon plate extends slightly beyond the toe. While this doesn't alter ride mechanics considerably, it underlines that this shoe is optimized for forefoot strikers striving from powerful toe-offs.
The NITROFOAM ELITE in the heel bounces back quickly after each landing, so you feel carried forward instead of limited by impacts. That lively rebound helps maintain rhythm, smoothing the transition through your gait.
Note that because the shoe's unique heel geometry causes it to slide under compression, we slightly adapted our methodology by shifting the compression point to 25% of the heel length (instead of the usual 12%) to get reliable and comparable results.
Under the forefoot, the A-TPU foam delivers a very dynamic push at toe‑off. You sense an immediate pop as the midsole releases stored energy, especially when you're running at marathon pace or faster, making each stride feel more explosive.
Despite its stripped‑down silhouette, the heel is very plush underfoot. It absorbs impact confidently, giving long‑distance protection that is especially beneficial at the end of a marathon when your legs need it most.
The PUMA Fast‑R NITRO Elite 3 delivers surprisingly generous padding under the ball of your foot. While it doesn't compromise rebound, the A-TPU foam provides a protective buffer that keeps push‑offs comfortable, even when you're hammering at race pace. It offers noticeably plusher cushioning here than its cousin, the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3, making the Fast-R 3 the better choice for long distances when extra underfoot protection is crucial.
The heel feels notably soft and is appealing if you like a forgiving landing, but that compliance comes at the expense of stability, offering little resistance when your foot rolls laterally.
The forefoot is moderately firm, but not as firm as short-distance specialists like the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3 or the ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS. If you depend on an ultra‑snappy toe‑off to launch your speed, those models will feel more appropriate, whereas the Fast‑R3 strikes a middle ground between softness and snap.