Products
Tested using Methodology v0.12
Updated Sep 23, 2026 02:09 PM
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Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Oct 22, 2026 08:04 PM
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PUMA
Heel Stack Height
39.2 mm
Weight
176.6 g (6.23 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
4.8 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Heel Stack Height
39.3 mm
Weight
173.3 g (6.11 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.9 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Our Verdict
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS
PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3
The ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS and PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 are both elite racing shoes, but the ASICS is better suited to shorter distances, while the PUMA has more of a marathon bias. The ASICS has a firmer forefoot that produces a more immediate push-off, while the PUMA provides better cushioning for sustained racing and rolls you more aggressively through the stride. Get the ASICS for a snappier 5K or 10K racer; get the PUMA for greater protection over longer distances.
Variants
- METASPEED SKY PARIS (Illuminate Mint/Black - (Men - US 9))
- METASPEED SKY PARIS (Illuminate Mint/Black - (Women - US 7))
- Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 (Mint Melt/Speed Blue - (Men - US 9))
- Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 (Mint Melt/Speed Blue - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
8.3
8.4
Outsole Arch Width
56 mm (2.2")
25 mm (1.0")
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
8.8
8.9
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
176.6 g (6.23 oz)
173.3 g (6.11 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
39.2 mm
39.3 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
34.4 mm
30.4 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
4.8 mm
8.9 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
5.0 mm
8.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
74 mm (2.9")
82 mm (3.2")
Outsole Arch Width
56 mm (2.2")
25 mm (1.0")
Outsole Forefoot Width
101 mm (4.0")
113 mm (4.4")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
1.89
2.09
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.94
3.72
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
260 mm (10.2")
273 mm (10.7")
Internal Heel Width
49 mm (1.9")
60 mm (2.4")
Internal Forefoot Width
83 mm (3.3")
93 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.6
9.4
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
1.0 mm (0.038")
-1.0 mm (-0.039")
Toe TTS Deviation
-1.5 mm (-0.059")
-2.3 mm (-0.091")
Forefoot Fit: Height
10
6.9
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
3.2 mm (0.128")
-3.7 mm (-0.146")
Arch Fit: Width
9.0
8.8
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-1.8 mm (-0.072")
-2.2 mm (-0.087")
Length Fit
7.0
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
5.1
8.4
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
12 mm (0.5")
30 mm (1.2")
Heel Apex Position
15.2%
22.2%
Heel Rocker Angle
15.9°
24.8°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.4
7.8
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
50 mm (2.0")
55 mm (2.2")
Toe Apex Position
65.7%
59.0%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
27.8°
24.6°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
Secondary Foam Picture
Primary Foam Name
Nitrofoam Elite
Primary Foam Type
A-TPU
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
Lace Type
Flat
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
2.1 mm (0.1")
Stretch
15.0%
Breathability
9.0
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
Upper Microscope Photo
Time-To-Dry
9.5
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
3.5 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
8.6 hrs
Time To Dry
13.1 hrs
Water Absorption
9.6
Dry Weight Photo
Wet Weight Photo
Water Absorbed
22.8%
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
7.8
8.8
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
79.7%
86.1%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
8.5
8.9
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
84.0%
86.7%
Heel Cushioning
7.5
8.1
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.30 J
4.30 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.30 J
9.78 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
15.81 J
15.43 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.0
8.7
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
4.69 J
5.56 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
8.45 J
9.67 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
13.22 J
14.13 J
Heel Firmness
8.1
5.9
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
45.4 N/mm
32.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
55.8 N/mm
46.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
78.4 N/mm
68.5 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
8.3
6.0
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
60.1 N/mm
49.5 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
76.6 N/mm
64.5 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
103 N/mm
89 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.3
8.0
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
7.95 J
8.81 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
7.81 J
8.60 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
7.73 J
8.47 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
7.66 J
8.39 J
Rocker Stiffness
7.8
8.5
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
110 N
144 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
8.7
8.9
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
78.1%
80.2%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
9.1
8.3
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
37.1 N/mm
23.0 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
417 N
322 N
Forefoot Compression Depth
6.9
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
16.2 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
20.2 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
22.9 mm
Heel Compression Depth
7.2
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
16.8 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
23.8 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
27.8 mm
Dry Concrete Grip
5.6
Dry Concrete Forefoot Video
Dry Concrete Forefoot Graph
Preview Graph
Sliding Force
149.8 N (33.7 lbf)
Coefficient Of Friction
0.58
Wet Concrete Grip
7.6
Wet Concrete Forefoot Video
Wet Concrete Forefoot Graph
Preview Graph
Sliding Force
213.7 N (48.0 lbf)
Coefficient Of Friction
0.83
Wet Aluminum Grip
3.6
Wet Aluminum Forefoot Video
Wet Aluminum Forefoot Graph
Preview Graph
Sliding Force
60.0 N (13.5 lbf)
Coefficient Of Friction
0.36
Gravel Grip
1.8
Gravel Forefoot Video
Gravel Forefoot Graph
Preview Graph
Sliding Force
27.5 N (6.2 lbf)
Coefficient Of Friction
0.17
Mud Grip
3.5
Mud Forefoot Video
Mud Forefoot Graph
Preview Graph
Sliding Force
59.2 N (13.3 lbf)
Coefficient Of Friction
0.36
Exposed Foam
6.0
Outsole Photo
Heel Exposed Foam
4.0
Forefoot Exposed Foam
8.0
Outsole Abrasion Wear
4.0
Outsole Durability Video
Outsole Durability Photo
Heel Abrasion Wear
4.0
Forefoot Abrasion Wear
4.0
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS
PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3
Comments
ASICS METASPEED SKY PARIS vs PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3: Main Discussion
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