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Puma Velocity Nitro 3 Review

An excellent daily trainer with a blend of comfort and versatility we love
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Puma Velocity Nitro 3 Review (Puma Velocity Nitro 3)
Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Price:  $135 List
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Manufacturer:   Puma
By Nathaniel Bailey ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 3, 2024
70
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#11 of 30
  • Landing Comfort - 30% 8.0
  • Responsiveness - 20% 7.0
  • Stability - 15% 6.0
  • Upper Comfort - 15% 7.0
  • Weight - 15% 5.3
  • Traction - 5.0% 9.0
Length Sizing
Runs Small
Runs Large
Width Sizing
Runs Narrow
Runs Wide

Our Verdict

The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is a comfortable shoe that has the ideal level of versatility to make a great all-around daily trainer. It has smooth, lightweight NITROFOAM that rides well regardless of pace. It's cushioned enough for longer runs and light enough to run fast. The upper is comfortable with great lockdown, and we love the excellent traction from the Puma Grip outsole. It definitely runs narrow, but if you want a great shoe at a competitive price, we think this is one of the best choices for most runners who value comfort and speed equally. See how this budget-friendly pick stacks up to the competition in our comprehensive men's running shoe review.
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable and snappy ride
Excellent grip
Versatile
Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
Narrow fit
Average weight

Compare to Similar Products

 
puma velocity nitro 3
Awards Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
 Editors' Choice Award
Best Running Shoes for Uptempo Training
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Men's Running Shoes
Top Pick Award
Excellent Performance without a Plate
Price $135 List
$135.00 at Amazon
$180 List
$155.26 at Amazon
$167.95 at Amazon
Compare at 3 sellers
$109.97 at Dick's Sporting Goods
Compare at 3 sellers
$140.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line A daily trainer that blends comfort and versatility at a reasonable priceOne of our favorite shoes with plenty of cushion, lots of versatility, and a fun factorAn all-around standout that can handle easy days as comfortably as hard workoutsA daily trainer that can handle most runs, the Novablast 4 is fun and extremely comfortableBouncy, responsive and well-cushioned, this shoe is performance-oriented but still versatile
Rating Categories Puma Velocity Nitro 3 Mizuno Neo Vista Saucony Endorphin S... Asics Novablast 4 New Balance FuelCel...
Landing Comfort (30%)
8.0
8.8
8.0
8.3
8.5
Responsiveness (20%)
7.0
7.5
8.0
7.0
7.5
Stability (15%)
6.0
5.5
5.7
7.0
4.0
Upper Comfort (15%)
7.0
9.5
7.5
8.0
6.0
Weight (15%)
5.3
5.4
6.8
5.8
8.4
Traction (5.0%)
9.0
4.0
5.0
4.0
6.2
Specs Puma Velocity Nitro 3 Mizuno Neo Vista Saucony Endorphin S... Asics Novablast 4 New Balance FuelCel...
Measured Weight 10.07 oz 9.98 oz 9.03 oz 9.76 oz 7.98 oz
Measured Heel Stack Height 38 mm 50 mm 38 mm 43 mm 30 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop 11 mm 9 mm 11 mm 7 mm 7 mm
Plate Type None Full Length Plastic Nylon None None
Rocker Angle 18.0 deg 18.5 deg 25.0 deg 22.5 deg 19.5 deg
Rocker Apex Location 66.7% 65.6% 67.7% 66.5% 62.2%
Style Daily Trainer Max-Cushioning Daily Trainer Daily Trainer Daily Trainer
Upper Engineered knit Engineered knit Engineered mesh/knit Engineered woven/knit FantomFit
Midsole NITROFOAM Enerzy NXT PWRRUN PB FF Blast + Eco FuelCell
Outsole PumaGrip Rubber Rubber AHAR Lo Rubber
Heel Tab Type None Finger loop None Finger loop None
Sizes Available 7 - 14 US, regular 7-14 US, regular 7-15 US, regular 6 - 15 US, regular 7-16 US, regular & wide

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 refines what we loved about the last version. It now has everything we want in a daily trainer: great cushioning, solid responsiveness, relatively low weight, and a comfortable upper. Puma addressed our (minor) concerns with the last model by adding a bit more NITRO foam underfoot and making the upper a bit more breathable. Sure, we've run in lighter, faster, or more cushioned shoes. But very few are this good all around while still staying affordable.

Performance Comparison


puma velocity nitro 3 - the puma velocity nitro 3 can handle all your daily runs, some...
The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 can handle all your daily runs, some faster paces and long runs.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Landing Comfort


Puma added several millimeters of foam to the Velocity Nitro 3, giving it 38 mm in the heel and 27 mm in the forefoot (up from 35 mm and 25 mm in the last version). That addition came almost entirely in the form of supercritical NITRO foam, which we love. It makes for a smooth landing, excellent impact mitigation, and good energy return. The distribution of EVA foam on the lower portion of the midsole promotes a smooth transition through the foot.

The cushioning works well and promotes a smooth transition through the foot.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Puma claims an 8 mm drop, but we measured 11 mm in a US men's size 10.5 in our standardized testing. That's typical for a daily trainer, and this shoe runs like it. The heel feels more built up than in the last version. Previously, the Velocity Nitro felt like it had a lower drop than we measured in the lab. We don't mind the difference and actually prefer it during longer runs.


The cushioning didn't score the highest in our lineup, but we wouldn't expect a daily trainer to outperform maximalist cushioning-oriented shoes. In past testing sessions, we loved using the previous Nitro 2 for daily runs up to about an hour, but we wanted more cushioning when we ran longer. We have changed our tune in the Nitro 3. The additional foam does more than enough to keep our legs fresh over 90+ minute efforts — we don't hesitate to pull these on for the long run.

puma velocity nitro 3 - the additional nitro makes this shoe comfortable for long runs...
The additional NITRO makes this shoe comfortable for long runs, although it no longer feels as low to the ground as it did in previous versions.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

The NITRO foam makes for comfortable landings, and we particularly enjoyed the bounce when running faster than marathon pace. We found threshold workouts to be very comfortable in this shoe. The foam compresses well and rebounds quickly but doesn't feel unstable. It's a nice balance, which we want in a daily trainer.

puma velocity nitro 3 - the puma velocity nitro 3 provides a nice blend of stability...
The Puma Velocity Nitro 3 provides a nice blend of stability, comfort, and rebound with each step.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Responsiveness


Let's revisit the bounce of the NITRO foam. The foam distribution in the shoe provides a smooth transition and snappy toe-off. It's not quite as snappy as a plated shoe or one with an aggressive rocker, but it's enough for fast strides or hill sprints.

puma velocity nitro 3 - the nitro foam provides cushioning without sacrificing usability at...
The NITRO foam provides cushioning without sacrificing usability at faster paces.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

For one-shoe runners, this pair can handle workouts, and you could race in it as well. It has above-average responsiveness in our lineup. Obviously, it's not as fast as a more dedicated race shoe, but it does get the job done. While shoes like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 or Adidas Adizero Boston 12 also get outstanding responsiveness from their supercritical foams, the main difference is in stiffening and geometry. Those shoes use carbon plates or infused rods paired with aggressive rockers to direct your motion — the Velocity Nitro 3 doesn't. That results in a shoe that isn't as propulsive. While those shoes feel like they're working to keep you on pace during hard efforts, it comes at the expense of daily comfort. We much prefer the Velocity Nitro 3 for easy runs.


While we think this shoe can handle speed days well, there are better options if you're looking for a shoe to complement race-specific workouts. On the other hand, this is an excellent choice if you want one shoe to run in daily, whether that means a leisurely cruise or a hard track session.

The Nitro 3 is a shoe we're willing to use on most days of the week.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

Stability


The increase in stack height does mildly reduce the stability of the shoe. It's not a huge change, but the low-slung feeling of the last version is no more. This shoe is still confident on loose terrain and does well on even ground, but its narrow profile and slightly taller stack height reduce overall stability.


This shoe is pretty average in terms of support. The strip of PWRTAPE on the medial side of the midfoot upper helps provide a bit of support around the arch, but at the end of the day, it's still a neutral shoe. This isn't the best choice for runners with stability needs.

puma velocity nitro 3 - while this is a comfortable shoe, it's not geared towards stability...
While this is a comfortable shoe, it's not geared towards stability. You can see the slightly firmer EVA foam in the heel, and small sidewalls around the heel and early midfoot, features that help keep landings confident.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Upper Comfort


The updated upper is more breathable than the last iteration. It still provides excellent lockdown from heel to toe. The laces are easy to use and adjust. Plus, they resist slippage for runners who don't double knot.

puma velocity nitro 3 - the upper is more breathable than previous versions without...
The upper is more breathable than previous versions without sacrificing comfort. The padded heel collar gives good retention without rub.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

The tongue is fine and prevents hotspots well, although we wouldn't mind a slight adjustment to the shape at the top of the foot. We noticed that the tip of the tongue would rub against the front of our ankles when we wore low, ankle-height socks. It didn't result in any hotspots, but it did lead to some minor chafing throughout a long run. If you wear crew-height socks or taller, that likely won't matter to you. The heel fit is excellent, providing good retention without any rubbing.


The most significant change here is the breathability. The Velocity loses a bit of the plush knit feel from the last iteration of the shoe in order to breathe better. We think it's a good tradeoff. We had no heat regulation issues in temperatures ranging anywhere from 10-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

puma velocity nitro 3 - the upper is very breathable, with comfortable materials where it...
The upper is very breathable, with comfortable materials where it matters most.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

We've found Puma's shoes often run a bit narrow in the forefoot. The Velocity Nitro 3 is no exception and feels snug in the toe box. That feeling correlates with our standardized lab testing, where the Velocity Nitro 3 recorded one of the lowest toe-box volumes in our entire lineup. Runners with high-volume feet will likely find the toe box too restrictive.

puma velocity nitro 3 - the forefoot is narrow on this model, and we think runners who...
The forefoot is narrow on this model, and we think runners who prefer a wider toe box will feel cramped.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Weight


This is a daily trainer; we don't expect it to be the lightest shoe. It weighs in at 10.07 ounces, which is about average for the group, and we feel ok with the weight-to-comfort ratio that Puma has accomplished here.


While we wouldn't mind a little weight reduction, the shoe does not feel heavy compared to its competitors, and we barely noticed it on our feet.

puma velocity nitro 3 - the velocity nitro 3 isn't a featherweight, but it feels light on...
The Velocity Nitro 3 isn't a featherweight, but it feels light on our feet.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Traction


This shoe has some of the best traction in our lineup. The PumaGrip outsole grabs on surfaces ranging from loose dirt to greasy trails to icy roads. That confidence is well worth the weight penalty. This is the shoe we grab whenever we're expecting less-than-ideal conditions.


Should You Buy the Puma Velocity Nitro 3?


We recommend this shoe if you want an affordable and versatile daily trainer. For your money, you get responsive cushioning, a great fit, and great grip. This shoe will handle any run you throw at it. Plus, this is the perfect travel trainer for exploring new places on easy runs or ripping workouts with a local running club. We think this shoe gives you the best overall value for your dollar.

puma velocity nitro 3 - the outsole bites on a wide range of surfaces and is one of the best...
The outsole bites on a wide range of surfaces and is one of the best we've tested.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey

What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?


For runners who want more snappiness, the Puma Deviate Nitro 2 is a similar shoe, but with more NITRO and a carbon plate for a faster ride. The lighter weight and more responsive feel may be interesting to those looking for that additional edge to push their runs further or faster. The Saucony Kinvara 15 is an affordable option that boasts one of the lightest measured weights in our tests. It could work well for runners seeking a high-performing, lower-drop shoe.

Nathaniel Bailey