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Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Oct 13, 2026 12:56 PM
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PUMA
Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Sep 22, 2026 08:31 PM
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Heel Stack Height
39.3 mm
Weight
173.3 g (6.11 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.9 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Heel Stack Height
39.5 mm
Weight
92.8 g (3.27 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
5.5 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Our Verdict
PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3
adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3
The adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 and PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 are elite marathon racers with similarly excellent energy return. Choose the adidas for its dramatically lower weight, better cushioning over long efforts, and softer, bouncier ride. The PUMA offers a firmer, snappier push-off and stronger forward roll at a substantially lower price, making it the better value if you prefer a more rigid racing shoe. However, it's even less stable than the adidas.
Variants
- Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 (Mint Melt/Speed Blue - (Men - US 9))
- Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 (Mint Melt/Speed Blue - (Women - US 7))
- Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 (Cloud White/Core Black/Solar Turbo - (Men - US 9))
- Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 (Cloud White/Core Black/Solar Turbo - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
8.4
8.9
Weight
8.9
9.9
Outsole Arch Width
25 mm (1.0")
85 mm (3.3")
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
8.0
9.0
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
8.9
9.9
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
173.3 g (6.11 oz)
92.8 g (3.27 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
39.3 mm
39.5 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
30.4 mm
34.0 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.9 mm
5.5 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.0 mm
3.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
82 mm (3.2")
84 mm (3.3")
Outsole Arch Width
25 mm (1.0")
85 mm (3.3")
Outsole Forefoot Width
113 mm (4.4")
112 mm (4.4")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.09
2.13
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.72
3.29
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
273 mm (10.7")
275 mm (10.8")
Internal Heel Width
60 mm (2.4")
60 mm (2.4")
Internal Forefoot Width
93 mm (3.7")
90 mm (3.5")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.4
8.6
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-1.0 mm (-0.039")
1.6 mm (0.062")
Toe TTS Deviation
-2.3 mm (-0.091")
-4.5 mm (-0.178")
Forefoot Fit: Height
6.9
7.9
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-3.7 mm (-0.146")
-2.6 mm (-0.100")
Arch Fit: Width
8.8
5.4
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-2.2 mm (-0.087")
-6.5 mm (-0.257")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
8.4
4.6
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
30 mm (1.2")
10 mm (0.4")
Heel Apex Position
22.2%
18.5%
Heel Rocker Angle
24.8°
11.5°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.8
9.0
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
55 mm (2.2")
70 mm (2.8")
Toe Apex Position
59.0%
54.7%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
24.6°
30.3°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
Nitrofoam Elite
LIGHTSTRIKE PRO EVO
Primary Foam Type
A-TPU
TPEE
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
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Lace Type
Flat
Flat
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
5.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
2.1 mm (0.1")
1.0 mm (0.0")
Stretch
15.0%
13.0%
Breathability
9.0
6.0
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
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Upper Microscope Photo
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Time-To-Dry
9.5
9.8
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
3.5 hrs
1.6 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
8.6 hrs
5.3 hrs
Time To Dry
13.1 hrs
10.1 hrs
Water Absorption
9.6
9.7
Dry Weight Photo
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Wet Weight Photo
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Water Absorbed
22.8%
18.1%
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
8.8
8.8
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
86.1%
85.9%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
8.9
8.9
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
86.7%
86.9%
Heel Cushioning
8.1
8.8
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
4.30 J
4.84 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.78 J
10.75 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
15.43 J
17.11 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.7
9.3
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
5.56 J
6.63 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
9.67 J
10.81 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
14.13 J
15.31 J
Heel Firmness
5.9
4.5
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
32.8 N/mm
27.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
46.2 N/mm
40.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
68.5 N/mm
59.9 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
6.0
3.5
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
49.5 N/mm
37.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
64.5 N/mm
50.9 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
89 N/mm
72 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
8.0
9.0
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
8.81 J
10.37 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
8.60 J
10.20 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
8.47 J
10.07 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
8.39 J
9.97 J
Rocker Stiffness
8.5
6.9
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
144 N
81 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
8.9
8.8
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
80.2%
79.3%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
8.3
7.1
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
23.0 N/mm
19.3 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
322 N
219 N
Heel Compression Depth
7.2
8.2
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
16.8 mm
19.8 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
23.8 mm
27.3 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
27.8 mm
31.7 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
6.9
8.6
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
16.2 mm
21.4 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
20.2 mm
25.5 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
22.9 mm
28.3 mm
PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3
adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3
Comments
PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 vs adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3: Main Discussion
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