Puma Deviate Nitro 3 Review: A Running Shoe Hyrox Athletes Will Love
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 regular neighbourhood excursions. But, for runners who have elevated their 5kms to 10kms, or athletes who are dipping their toe into the world of Hyrox and fitness racing, there may be a need for something with a little more oomph and propulsion.
Enter the Puma Deviate Nitro 3 — a light, comfortable, 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. With this running shoe, Puma speaks to not only the avid runner, but also to Hyrox athletes looking for a shoe that can help them take their running and fitness to a new level.
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 an ideal option for those who like to prioritise comfort and a moderate to high pace with their runs over slower more relaxed jogs.
I’ve put the Deviate Nitro 3 to the test with plenty of Hyrox training sessions and this shoe does not disappoint. The shoe offers a snappy ride with excellent feedback and responsiveness for explosive movements like burpee broad jumps and you feel like you’ve got rockets under your feet when you’re pulling off wall balls or ticking off those 1km runs inbetween your functional movements.
On the underside of the shoe, you also get the Pumagrip textured rubber (continuing the partnership with Continental and utilising its 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.
Of course, this traction is what made the Deviate such a standout choice for Hyrox athletes to begin with. The Pumagrip has proved to be invaluable in my Hyrox training sessions and I can’t wait to wear them on race day. The under sole grip enables me to pull off heavy sled pushes with confidence, with no slipping and sliding on the turf. Sled pulls are also a wax with these when you really need to create a solid base for that heavy heave-ho.
A great addition to this new version of the Deviate Nitro is the addition of a wide-fit option. I invested in a pair of Puma Deviate Nitro 3 Wide in a women’s size 4.5 UK in addition to my standard fit version in a women’s size 5 UK. After wearing both versions of the shoe in similar sizes, I can see a definite benefit to opting for the wider version of the shoe if you struggle with persistent blisters on the sides of your feet or have issues with toe crowding.
I’m usually a size 4.5 UK in Puma so experimenting with the wide and regular fit has been interesting. While the differences are subtle, I’ve found I prefer the true-to-size wider fit for training days in the gym where I prefer to have more room in the toe box for toe splay. The size 5 UK is my go-to for longer runs where I want more length in the toe box and will probably be my fit of choice for Hyrox race day.
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. Whether you’re looking for a reliable running shoe to propel you into your next PB or have set your sights on your first Hyrox race, the Deviate Nitro 3 is the shoe to do it in.
The Puma Deviate Nitro 3 is priced at R3,799 and is available from Puma’s online store and select retailers nationwide.
