PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 vs Deviate NITRO 4

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

PUMA Deviate NITRO 3
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Mar 13, 2026 04:05 PM

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PUMA

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Mar 18, 2026 04:54 AM

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PUMA
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Picture

Track

PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 Picture

Track

Our Verdict

PUMA Deviate NITRO 3

PUMA Deviate NITRO 4

The PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 and PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 are two iterations of the same super trainer, but the newer version does a better job defining itself as the faster, more performance-focused option. The Deviate NITRO 4 is lighter, feels more energetic underfoot, and pairs its moderate drop with a snappier forefoot, making it better suited to workouts and even shorter races. The PUMA Deviate NITRO 3, by comparison, sits a bit higher and feels more protective, giving it a slightly more cushioned character. If you want the more efficient plated trainer, the Deviate NITRO 4 makes more sense, but if you prefer a bit more buffer and protection underfoot, the Deviate NITRO 3 still has its appeal.

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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))
  • Deviate NITRO 4 (Apple Spritz/Lux Lime - (Men - US 9))
  • Deviate NITRO 4 (Black/White/Silver - (Men - US 9))
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

7.3
6.7

Heel Stack Height 
 

42.3 mm
35.2 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

31.3 mm
28.2 mm

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
3/4-Length Plastic Plate

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.7
7.7

Weight  

5.9
6.6

Heel Energy Return 
 

5.8
6.8

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

5.9
6.6

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

262.1 g (9.25 oz)
244.4 g (8.62 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

42.3 mm
35.2 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

31.3 mm
28.2 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

11.0 mm
7.0 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
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

83 mm (3.3")
86 mm (3.4")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

58 mm (2.3")
67 mm (2.6")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

107 mm (4.2")
107 mm (4.2")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

1.96
2.44

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.42
3.79

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

275 mm (10.8")
274 mm (10.8")

Internal Heel Width 
 

60 mm (2.4")
67 mm (2.6")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

91 mm (3.6")
91 mm (3.6")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.4

Forefoot Width Photo  

PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

0.6 mm (0.022")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-2.5 mm (-0.100")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

6.3

Forefoot Height Photo  

PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-4.5 mm (-0.176")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

0.5

Arch Fit Photo  

PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-11.4 mm (-0.449")

Length Fit 
 

10

Toe Clearance Photo  

PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Toe Clearance Photo

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Semi-gusseted

Plate 
 

Carbon Fiber
3/4-Length Plastic Plate
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

5.8
6.8

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

73.1%
75.5%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

6.7
7.7

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

75.0%
79.3%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.3
6.6

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.30 J
3.21 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

8.83 J
8.29 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

15.65 J
13.66 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

6.4
6.4

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

3.90 J
4.09 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

6.80 J
6.83 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

10.08 J
9.84 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.8
6.5

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

58.3 N/mm
56.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

111.8 N/mm
131.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

227.5 N/mm
308.5 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.6
8.8

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

126.6 N/mm
129.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

251.3 N/mm
265.9 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

479.0 N/mm
524.6 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

5.7
5.7

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 3 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
PUMA Deviate NITRO 4 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

6.40 J
6.30 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

6.19 J
6.11 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

6.06 J
5.98 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

5.95 J
5.89 J

PUMA Deviate NITRO 3

PUMA Deviate NITRO 4

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