Puma Deviate Nitro 3 - Women's Review

The updated Deviate Nitro features a traditional 10 mm drop, an energetic midsole, and prime traction. This 7.21-ounce shoe didn't win any awards but remains a mainstay for runners seeking a balance between tech-heavy shoes and daily trainers.

Side View Cut in Half

Cushioning

With a 38 mm stack and a 10 mm drop, the undercarriage of the Deviate Nitro 3 is pretty well stacked. Its ride is a bit soft, with just enough rebound for efficient energy return. Unlike most plated shoes with steep differentials, the Deviate Nitro is well-equipped to handle varied pacing. The NitroFoam midsole rebounds well on pace-pushing workouts but is equally at ease during mellower efforts. Because of this, I recommend it as a daily shoe for runners who only want to buy one piece of gear to update their running shoe quiver.

Upper Comfort

The upper comfort of the Deviate Nitro is confusing. I wear a women's size 7, which is a half-size larger than my true size. Even still, I felt like I had to stuff my feet into these shoes. During my first few testing runs, my toes went numb, presumably from the slight squeeze she was experiencing. The engineered mesh upper loosened up ever so slightly after a few runs, but not as much as expected. The upper textile is soft, not super breathable, and gives way to the lowest-volume shoe I've ever tested. In addition to feeling short (lengthwise) and narrow, it also feels short heightwise. This sensation detracted from the shoe's overall ranking because it will be off-putting to some runners. On the flip side, runners who prefer a narrow, low-volume shoe will feel right at home in this otherwise plush and soft runner.

Stability

This version of the Deviate Nitro doesn't offer as much stability as we'd hoped for. Its high stack and serious drop lead to a bit of squirreliness in the heel. I never had any issues while running in this shoe, but I could feel the potential for ankle twisting. Because of this, I do not recommend this shoe for runners who want a lot of support. Other options, like the Brooks Hyperion Max 2, provide notably more stability but scored near equally in other metrics.

Responsiveness

The carbon plate and energetic midsole provide plenty of pep to help you hit your pace goals. The ride isn't exactly like a true super shoe, but for runners seeking a more budget-friendly take on responsiveness, the Deviate Nitro does the trick. The ample cushioning throughout the shoe adds weight, which impedes its overall responsiveness rating, but there is certainly a time and a place for this style of responsiveness. The Deviate Nitro's rocker feels less extreme than most of the shoes I tested this season, further securing its standing as a worthy contender for the roads. Its rocker angle sits at 24 degrees, which isn't largely different from most super shoes, but at a more aggressive 66.7% forward from the heel. Additionally, the drop height and shape translate this into a less dramatic rolling sensation. Some runners may enjoy this lessened rocking sensation, while others may prefer a shoe that feels like it pushes one footfall into the next. Either way, the Deviate Nitro is one of the most budget-friendly carbon-plated shoes we have in our lineup this season.

Weight

The Deviate Nitro isn't particularly light for a shoe geared toward speed. It weighs 7.21 ounces per women's size 6.5 shoe, which isn't heavy, but it also isn't light. The weight is distributed well, making for a well-balanced ride in many ways.

Traction

Though not the most important factor for many road runners, the traction of the Deviate Nitro is awesome. Made fully of rubber, the thickness and texture of the lug pattern inspire confidence around tight corners.

Should You Buy the Puma Deviate Nitro 3?

I hesitate to recommend this version of the Deviate Nitro because it doesn't score as well in all metrics as previous versions — or as many other shoes I tested. If the fit and stability are a good match for you, the balance between comfort and speed is pretty decent. The Deviate Nitro has plenty of solid elements and is available for the right price, but it does leave room for improvement.

What Other Road Running Shoes Should You Consider?