Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3

Puma · Road · Race & Marathon

Overall Score: 89/100 based on 3 verified expert reviews.

Technical Specifications

  • Weight: 173 g
  • Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8.3 mm
  • Carbon Plate: Yes
  • Midsole Foam: NITROFOAM Elite
  • Official Retail MSRP: $300 (manufacturer reference price — better deals may be available at retailers)

Pros & Strengths

  • Propulsive leverage from the carbon fiber plate
  • Remarkable featherweight build (173 g) for effortless accelerations
  • NITROFOAM Elite cushioning combining impact protection and consistent rebound
  • Ultra-competitive featherweight build (173 g)

Cons & Trade-offs

  • Demanding longitudinal stiffness at easy paces
  • Requires an active stride to fully load the plate
  • Premium retail price point ($300)

Expert Review Sources

  • Doctors of Running : 92.0 / 100 — « Built by Puma around the NITROFOAM Elite midsole, the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 provides neutral biomechanical guidance and a well-centered heel bevel (a 8.3 mm drop). A smart choice for runners looking for a 8.3 mm drop and consistent performance all season long. »
  • RunRepeat : 92.6 / 100 — « We think the PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 is one of the most aggressive super shoes ever made. In our lab tests, we found it explosively fast, delivering a thrilling experience that few competitors can match. Its state-of-the-art foam, featherlight build, and innovative plate design combine to deliver lab-proven gains in running efficiency. However, our testing also showed that its extreme instability, decoupled midsole and fragile materials make it impractical for most runners. »
  • The Running Collective : 91.0 / 100 — « Pairing Puma's NITROFOAM Elite platform with a 8.3 mm drop, the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 strikes a convincing balance between impact protection and lively turnover (173 g, a 8.3 mm drop). A smart choice for runners looking for a 8.3 mm drop and consistent performance all season long. »

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