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PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 vs ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      WeightStack HeightsExternal ShapeInternal ShapeForefoot Fit: WidthForefoot Fit: HeightArch Fit: WidthLength FitHeel Rocker GeometryForefoot Rocker GeometryOther Features
    Performance
      Heel Compression Energy ReturnForefoot Compression Energy ReturnHeel CushioningForefoot CushioningHeel FirmnessForefoot FirmnessForefoot Long Run CushioningRocker StiffnessForefoot Bending Energy ReturnForefoot Bending Stiffness
    Comments

Products

PUMA Deviate NITRO 3
ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Mar 13, 2026 04:05 PM

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PUMA

Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated Apr 13, 2026 01:56 PM

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PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Picture

Track

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Picture

Track

Weight
262.1 g (9.25 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
11.0 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Weight
248.2 g (8.76 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.2 mm
Plate
None
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. ASICS

Our Verdict

PUMA Deviate NITRO 3

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

The ASICS NOVABLAST 5 and the PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 are both high-stack cushioned trainers that perform similarly despite some key differences. They both return a similar amount of energy, but the ASICS offers a more cushioned ride, making it a better choice for longer efforts and for those seeking plush comfort. The PUMA, however, feels more controlled, with a carbon fiber plate and firmer foam.

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Variants

  • Deviate NITRO 3 (Black/Sun Stream - (Men - US 9))
  • Deviate NITRO 3 (Black/Sunset Glow/Sun Stream - (Women - US 7))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • NOVABLAST 5 (Black/Carrier Grey - (Women - US 7))

Review

See PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Review
See ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Review
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

7.3
7.3

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
None

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.7
7.3

Weight  

5.9
6.5

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

5.9
6.5

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

262.1 g (9.25 oz)
248.2 g (8.76 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

42.3 mm
41.8 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

31.3 mm
33.4 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

11.0 mm
8.2 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

10.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

83 mm (3.3")
89 mm (3.5")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

58 mm (2.3")
75 mm (2.9")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

107 mm (4.2")
115 mm (4.5")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

1.96
2.13

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.42
3.44

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

275 mm (10.8")
284 mm (11.2")

Internal Heel Width 
 

60 mm (2.4")
62 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

91 mm (3.6")
94 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.4
9.2

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

0.6 mm (0.022")
1.5 mm (0.059")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-2.5 mm (-0.100")
-3.0 mm (-0.116")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

6.3
8.9

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-4.5 mm (-0.176")
-1.6 mm (-0.064")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

0.5
7.1

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-11.4 mm (-0.449")
-4.5 mm (-0.178")

Length Fit 
 

10
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

6.2

Heel Rocker Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

17 mm (0.7")

Heel Apex Position 
 

13.2%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

23.0°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

6.7

Forefoot Rocker Photo  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

48 mm (1.9")

Toe Apex Position 
 

73.4%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

31.0°

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
None
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

5.8
6.3

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Energy Return
 Compare in Graph Tool

Heel Energy Return 
 

73.1%
74.0%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

6.7
7.3

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Energy Return
 Compare in Graph Tool

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

75.0%
77.3%

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.3
8.2

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Cushioning
 Compare in Graph Tool

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.30 J
3.83 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

8.83 J
9.97 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

15.65 J
16.86 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

6.4
7.9

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Cushioning
 Compare in Graph Tool

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

3.90 J
5.15 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

6.80 J
8.58 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

10.08 J
12.28 J

Heel Firmness 
 

5.8
5.1

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Heel Firmness
 Compare in Graph Tool

Firmness At 550N 
 

58.3 N/mm
47.1 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

111.8 N/mm
109.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

227.5 N/mm
229.7 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.6
8.1

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Firmness
 Compare in Graph Tool

Firmness At 800N 
 

126.6 N/mm
105.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

251.3 N/mm
220.1 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

479.0 N/mm
436.1 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

5.7
7.3

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Compare in Graph Tool

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

6.40 J
8.00 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

6.19 J
7.77 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

6.06 J
7.61 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

5.95 J
7.50 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

6.1

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

64 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

6.5

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

62.4%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

6.5

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture  

ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

11.3 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

234 N

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PUMA Deviate NITRO 3

ASICS NOVABLAST 5

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 vs ASICS NOVABLAST 5: Main Discussion

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