Products
Tested using Methodology v0.12
Updated Jun 16, 2026 05:24 PM
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PUMA
Tested using Methodology v0.14
Updated Aug 27, 2026 01:51 PM
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Heel Stack Height
39.2 mm
Weight
199.9 g (7.05 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
10.1 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Heel Stack Height
35.1 mm
Weight
160.5 g (5.66 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.8 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Our Verdict
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3
Nike Vaporfly 4
The Nike Vaporfly 4 and the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3 are both super shoes optimized for events like a half-marathon, offering lightweight builds and responsive rides. The Nike shoe is significantly lighter, which can translate to better running economy and overall efficiency on race day. Meanwhile, the Puma features a roomier toe box, making it more accommodating and more comfortable for longer distances, like the full marathon. Both shoes have limited stability, but the Nike is slightly better in that aspect.
Variants
- Deviate NITRO Elite 3 (Glowing Red/Black - (Men - US 9))
- Deviate NITRO Elite 3 (Glowing Red/Black - (Women - US 7))
- Vaporfly 4 (Bright Crimson/Mint Foam/Cave Purple/Lime Blast - (Men - US 9))
- Vaporfly 4 (Bright Crimson/Mint Foam/Cave Purple/Lime Blast - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
7.9
7.2
Heel Stack Height
39.2 mm
35.1 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
29.1 mm
26.4 mm
Weight
8.2
9.1
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
8.2
9.1
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
199.9 g (7.05 oz)
160.5 g (5.66 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
39.2 mm
35.1 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
29.1 mm
26.4 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
10.1 mm
8.8 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.0 mm
6.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
81 mm (3.2")
75 mm (3.0")
Outsole Arch Width
55 mm (2.2")
50 mm (2.0")
Outsole Forefoot Width
103 mm (4.1")
108 mm (4.3")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.07
2.13
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.54
3.84
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
275 mm (10.8")
271 mm (10.7")
Internal Heel Width
58 mm (2.3")
60 mm (2.4")
Internal Forefoot Width
90 mm (3.6")
92 mm (3.6")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.3
8.6
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
1.9 mm (0.074")
-3.4 mm (-0.134")
Toe TTS Deviation
6.1 mm (0.238")
0.8 mm (0.032")
Forefoot Fit: Height
10
9.7
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
0.5 mm (0.019")
-0.8 mm (-0.032")
Arch Fit: Width
9.9
6.7
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-0.5 mm (-0.019")
-5.0 mm (-0.196")
Length Fit
10
7.0
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
7.5
7.5
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
23 mm (0.9")
20 mm (0.8")
Heel Apex Position
25.0%
18.1%
Heel Rocker Angle
18.2°
21.8°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
8.2
6.8
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
59 mm (2.3")
46 mm (1.8")
Toe Apex Position
60.7%
60.1%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
28.2°
22.7°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Secondary Foam Picture
Primary Foam Name
ZoomX
Primary Foam Type
PEBA
Secondary Foam Name
N/A
Secondary Foam Type
N/A
Laces
Laces Picture
Lace Type
Flat
Width
4.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
1.6 mm (0.1")
Stretch
20.0%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
8.6
8.6
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
84.8%
84.4%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
8.3
8.3
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
82.4%
82.6%
Heel Cushioning
8.0
6.4
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.43 J
3.64 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
10.00 J
8.00 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
17.40 J
12.32 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.0
6.2
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
4.84 J
4.09 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
8.68 J
6.59 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
12.94 J
9.46 J
Heel Firmness
7.6
7.8
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
43.3 N/mm
38.4 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
52.4 N/mm
55.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
72.7 N/mm
82.9 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
8.2
8.8
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
59.4 N/mm
60.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
75.4 N/mm
83.3 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
103 N/mm
118 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
6.3
5.8
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
6.88 J
6.30 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
6.73 J
6.19 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
6.64 J
6.11 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
6.58 J
6.06 J
Rocker Stiffness
8.8
6.9
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
156 N
83 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
8.0
8.7
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
71.5%
78.1%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
8.7
8.5
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
24.0 N/mm
28.0 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
429 N
325 N
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PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3
Nike Vaporfly 4
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PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 3 vs Nike Vaporfly 4: Main Discussion
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