Products
Nike Alphafly 3
PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3
Tested using Methodology v0.9
Updated Oct 17, 2025 07:42 PM
SEE PRICE
Nike.com
Tested using Methodology v0.9
Updated Oct 30, 2025 08:35 PM
SEE PRICE
PUMA
Weight
200.7 g (7.08 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.4 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Weight
173.3 g (6.11 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.9 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Our Verdict
Nike Alphafly 3
PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3
The Nike Alphafly 3 and the PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 are both elite marathon racing shoes, but they take different paths to performance. The Puma is significantly lighter and features a more responsive midsole, which contributes to a highly efficient, energetic ride, especially for forefoot strikers. In contrast, the Alphafly 3 delivers a unique mechanical sensation through its Air Zoom pods, which add just the right amount of firmness in the forefoot, creating an experience that's both bouncy and controlled. The Nike's geometry is less extreme, making it more accessible to a wider range of strike patterns.
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))
- Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 (Mint Melt/Speed Blue - (Men - US 9))
- Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 (Mint Melt/Speed Blue - (Women - US 7))
- Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 (White/Glowing Red/Mint Melt - (Men - US 9))
- Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 (White/Glowing Red/Mint Melt - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Marathon Racing
Marathon Racing
Threshold
Marathon Racing
8.5
8.7
Weight
8.1
8.9
Forefoot Energy Return
8.2
8.9
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
8.1
8.9
Right Shoe Weight Photo
Left Shoe Weight Photo
Weight
200.7 g (7.08 oz)
173.3 g (6.11 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
Heel Stack Height
39.8 mm
39.3 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
33.4 mm
30.4 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.4 mm
8.9 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")
82 mm (3.2")
Outsole Arch Width
68 mm (2.7")
25 mm (1.0")
Outsole Forefoot Width
116 mm (4.6")
113 mm (4.4")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.29
2.09
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.47
3.72
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Internal Length
273 mm (10.7")
273 mm (10.7")
Internal Heel Width
59 mm (2.3")
60 mm (2.4")
Internal Forefoot Width
90 mm (3.5")
93 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Other Features
Other Features Photo
Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Carbon Fiber
Performance
Heel Energy Return
8.2
8.8
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Heel Energy Return
82.0%
86.1%
Forefoot Energy Return
8.2
8.9
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Forefoot Energy Return
82.2%
86.7%
Heel Cushioning
7.6
8.1
Heel Cushioning Picture
Heel Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.82 J
4.30 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.18 J
9.78 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
14.96 J
15.43 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.0
8.7
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Forefoot Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 800N
4.68 J
5.56 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
8.55 J
9.67 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
13.10 J
14.13 J
Heel Firmness
5.9
5.8
Heel Firmness
Firmness At 550N
49.4 N/mm
47.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
129.6 N/mm
130.6 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
277.3 N/mm
295.0 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
7.4
7.4
Forefoot Firmness
Firmness At 800N
103.1 N/mm
88.5 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
170.1 N/mm
177.7 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
370.8 N/mm
394.7 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
7.8
8.0
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 10km
8.41 J
8.81 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
8.33 J
8.60 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
8.27 J
8.47 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
8.24 J
8.39 J
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Nike Alphafly 3
PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3
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Nike Alphafly 3 vs PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3: Main Discussion
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