Puma Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 review (unsponsored)
I couldn’t sleep one night, opened my laptop, did some online browsing and next thing I know I had ordered a pair of PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite 3. So the next thing on the agenda what to put them to the test!
Here’s my honest, unsponsored review of the PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite 3. Spoiler alert: I’ve already run a 5k PB in them.
Meet the PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite 3
The Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 is PUMA’s latest innovation in carbon-plated racing shoes. Designed for performance across distances from 5K to the marathon, it combines a great deal of cushioning with a lightweight feel and advanced midsole technology.
Key characteristics
It features a stack height of 40mm at the heel and 32mm at the forefoot, giving you an 8mm drop.
The upgraded NITROFOAM™ Elite midsole aims to enhance energy return, while the carbon-fiber PWRPLATE takes propulsion to the next level.
On the outsole, the PUMAGRIP rubber provides traction across different race conditions.
On paper, it seems that PUMA have designed the best race shoe to date, maximising your PB potential. A lab study shows that Fast-R 3 improved running economy by about 3.5% versus top-tier rivals like Nike Alphafly 3 and Adidas Adios Pro Evo 1.
This seems reinforced by real life examples at least for the marathon distance, with several PUMA athletes setting new PBs in the Fast-R 3, and it is estimated that over a third of Boston and London marathon participants using this shoe outperformed their previous times.
What is this shoe for?
Most suited for neutral runners, the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 is intended for those looking to maximise performance on race day.
Built to deliver speed, comfort and propulsion, this race-day shoe is designed with the marathon distance in mind, but can also be an ally when racing shorter distances.
How much does it cost?
The Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 is priced at £260, positioning it among the premium options in the carbon-plated racing category.
With an expected lifespan of around 300km, it is best reserved for races and a couple of key sessions leading up to your goal event.
If the shoe is currently sold out on PUMA website for men and women, you may have more luck on Pro Direct with both men and women sizes in stock at the time of writing this post. This is where I ordered mine!
My experience with the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3: unsponsored view
When I first unboxed the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3, I couldn’t resist testing them out straight away. I did just a few strides outside and felt rather unstable. The heel shape is unusual and immediately pushed me onto my forefoot more than I’m used to, almost altering my natural running form.
I’d even heard stories of runners struggling with quad pain in these shoes, so the initial sensation of my quads kicking in early made me a little worries I might have wasted some money.
The real test came the next day during a speed session (4x800, 4x400, 4x200). For the first few reps, I honestly felt like Bambi on ice, hesitant to land on my heels. The propulsion effect is hard to put into words; it’s almost as if the shoe throws you forward whether you’re ready or not. It was slightly unnerving at first, and I even worried I might trip myself up. But I could tell that these shoes are something special, my pace was great and I really wanted these shoes to work for me, so I persevered and kept them on for the full session.
As the reps went by, I felt more stable with each rep, and while I could feel my calves more than usual, I didn’t have the dreaded quad pain.
The only issue that lingered was handling tight turns - the shoe seemed to collapse slightly on the outer edge, making it harder to stay balanced on hairpin turns. By the end of the workout, though, I was really warming up to them.
The real breakthrough came a few days later at the Mid Cheshire 5k, where I decided to take the plunge and race in them.
To my surprise, the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 felt stable, responsive, and incredibly light. Everything came together, and I ran my first ever sub-18 minute 5k, a milestone I genuinely believe these shoes helped me achieve. Plus, unlike my first runs in the Adidas Adios Pro 4 (which I also really love), the Puma don’t hurt my big toes at all - another positive.
Now, I can confidently say I’m sold on these shoes - although I’m still cautious about whether they’d hold up for longer races like a half marathon without overloading my calves or quads.
Given their premium price and relatively short lifespan, I don’t want to risk using them much in training. I suppose the only way to know for sure is to race a half-marathon in the Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 and see how they perform on race day!
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