Nike Alphafly 3 vs PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Nike Alphafly 3
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 17, 2025 07:42 PM

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Nike.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Dec 02, 2025 08:20 PM

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PUMA
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  2. Nike

Our Verdict

Nike Alphafly 3

PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3

The PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3 and the Nike Alphafly 3 share a similar overall profile, but the forefoot pop and efficiency delivered by the Nike is unmatched, especially around marathon pace. The Puma features a higher heel-to-toe drop and a more accommodating fit, making it easier to wear for a broader range of foot shapes and potentially more comfortable over longer efforts.

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Variants

  • Alphafly 3 (Black/Olive Aura/Metallic Silver - (Men - US 9))
  • Alphafly 3 (Bright Crimson/Lime Blast/Mint Foam/Cave Purple - (Men - US 9))
  • Alphafly 3 (Bright Crimson/Lime Blast/Mint Foam/Cave Purple - (Women - US 7))
  • Alphafly 3 (Electric Pack/Olympic Safari - (Women - US 7))
  • Alphafly 3 (Football Grey/Ghost/Persian Violet/Blue Void - (Men - US 9))
  • Alphafly 3 (Football Grey/Ghost/Persian Violet/Blue Void - (Women - US 7))
  • Alphafly 3 (Light Army/Ironstone/Light Khaki/Desert Moss - (Men - US 9))
  • Alphafly 3 (Sail/Crimson Tint/Guava Ice/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Alphafly 3 (Vapor Green/Dragon Red/Stadium Green/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Alphafly 3 (Volt/Dusty Cactus/Total - (Men - US 9))
  • Alphafly 3 (White/Black/University Red/Habanero Red - (Men - US 9))
  • Alphafly 3 (White/Pure Platinum/Obsidian Mist/Gridiron - (Men - US 9))
  • Alphafly 3 (White/Purple Agate/Vivid Grape/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Deviate NITRO Elite 3 (Glowing Red/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Deviate NITRO Elite 3 (Glowing Red/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Deviate NITRO Elite 3 (Pure Magenta/Yellow Alert - (Men - US 9))
  • Deviate NITRO Elite 3 (Pure Magenta/Yellow Alert - (Women - US 7))
  • Deviate NITRO Elite 3 (Sun Stream/Sunset Glow - (Men - US 9))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

8.5
8.2

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.4 mm
29.1 mm

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

8.1
8.2

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

Weight 
 

200.7 g (7.08 oz)
199.9 g (7.05 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

Heel Stack Height 
 

39.8 mm
39.2 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.4 mm
29.1 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.4 mm
10.1 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Outsole Heel Width 
 

91 mm (3.6")
81 mm (3.2")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

68 mm (2.7")
55 mm (2.2")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

116 mm (4.6")
103 mm (4.1")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.29
2.07

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.47
3.54

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Internal Length 
 

273 mm (10.7")
275 mm (10.8")

Internal Heel Width 
 

59 mm (2.3")
58 mm (2.3")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

90 mm (3.5")
90 mm (3.6")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No
Show Text 

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

8.2
8.6

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details
See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

82.0%
84.8%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

8.2
8.3

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

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See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

82.2%
82.4%
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Heel Cushioning 
 

7.6
8.0

Heel Cushioning Picture  

Heel Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.82 J
3.43 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.18 J
10.00 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

14.96 J
17.40 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

8.0
8.0

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

Forefoot Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.68 J
4.84 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

8.55 J
8.68 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

13.10 J
12.94 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.9
5.0

Heel Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 550N 
 

49.4 N/mm
48.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

129.6 N/mm
96.1 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

277.3 N/mm
233.3 N/mm
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Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.4
7.6

Forefoot Firmness  

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See details

Firmness At 800N 
 

103.1 N/mm
95.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

170.1 N/mm
190.6 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

370.8 N/mm
394.3 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.8
6.3

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

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See details

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

8.41 J
6.88 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

8.33 J
6.73 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

8.27 J
6.64 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

8.24 J
6.58 J
Show Text 

Nike Alphafly 3

PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3

Comments

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