General Features

The Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 was my carbon-plated racing shoe that I used for the Copenhagen Marathon this May. After running a marathon, several tempo runs, intervals, and long runs in this shoe, I can say it is one of the best carbon-plated racing shoes I have worn so far, and I believe many runners will enjoy it.

It is a high-stack racing shoe with a soft and responsive super foam, suitable for distances from 5K (although there are better options) up to the marathon (where it truly excels), and performs well across a range of paces. It has excellent outsole grip and offers comfort—all at a competitive price.

Fit & Comfort

It is true to size. It runs slightly longer in length, but I would not recommend sizing down. The fit is regular to slightly narrow and provides a secure lockdown. The lockdown was excellent with a simple lacing system, offering great midfoot security.

I had no issues with heel slippage, and there is some padding around the heel that provides better comfort compared to other carbon-plated racing shoes. Breathability is also very good, with no overheating issues like some other models on the market.

Performance

The ride is very bouncy and soft, yet responsive. I find it slightly firmer than other super foams (it needs about 30–40 km to break in). Puma uses aliphatic TPU foam instead of PEBA, as seen in many other super shoes. In my experience, this responds better at faster paces and keeps the shoe more stable without “sinking” over longer distances (with force being transferred more efficiently from the hips).

The carbon plate is not intrusive, as it sits lower in the forefoot and is covered by enough foam to protect the foot, making the experience more comfortable—especially for marathon distances.

There is a rocker, not overly aggressive, but it provides a smooth transition—especially at higher speeds. The foam performs better as the pace increases, making this shoe a great option for shorter distances as well, such as 5K and 10K.

Stability & Transition

It is a neutral racing shoe, but I find it more stable than other super shoes. This stability likely comes from the denser (less “spongy”) TPU foam used by PUMA, as well as the sidewalls in the midfoot area—making it a good option even for slower marathon runners.

I felt secure across different paces, without needing to think about the shoe or having it affect my running style or cadence.

As mentioned earlier, the rocker is not very aggressive (it is more “late-stage”), but it provides a smooth and natural transition. It works well for heel strikers, midfoot, and forefoot runners alike. The heel is slightly narrow, but I do not believe it will feel unstable for runners who need a bit of support.

Durability

For a carbon-plated racing shoe, durability is excellent and it can handle many kilometers, thanks to the TPU foam compared to traditional PEBA foams. The foam maintains its responsiveness longer than other racing shoes, allowing me to use it not only on race day but also in training and marathon-pace long runs.

The Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3 is my favorite carbon racing shoe this year—it is built to last through many races and costs less than most of its main competitors.

Vasilis Vasilarakis