Products
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Oct 22, 2026 08:04 PM
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PUMA
Tested using Methodology v0.14
Updated Oct 23, 2026 03:16 PM
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Amazon
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
40.7 mm
Weight
169.1 g (5.96 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
10.6 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Our Verdict
PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4
The PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 and PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 target different runners. The Fast-R is much more aggressive, with stronger forward assistance that works especially well for forefoot strikers. Though neither shoe is particularly stable, the Deviate NITRO Elite 4 is more stable overall and is easier to use across a wider range of runs. Get the Fast-R for maximum race-day performance; get the Deviate NITRO Elite 4 for greater versatility.
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))
- Deviate NITRO Elite 4 (Fresh Water/Lemon Crush/Black - (Women - US 7))
- Deviate NITRO Elite 4 (Fresh Water/Lemon Crush/Black/White - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
8.4
8.4
Outsole Arch Width
25 mm (1.0")
60 mm (2.4")
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
8.9
8.9
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
173.3 g (6.11 oz)
169.1 g (5.96 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
39.3 mm
40.7 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
30.4 mm
30.1 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.9 mm
10.6 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.0 mm
8.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
82 mm (3.2")
80 mm (3.1")
Outsole Arch Width
25 mm (1.0")
60 mm (2.4")
Outsole Forefoot Width
113 mm (4.4")
106 mm (4.2")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.09
1.97
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.72
3.52
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
273 mm (10.7")
270 mm (10.6")
Internal Heel Width
60 mm (2.4")
60 mm (2.4")
Internal Forefoot Width
93 mm (3.7")
91 mm (3.6")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
9.4
9.9
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
-1.0 mm (-0.039")
0.6 mm (0.024")
Toe TTS Deviation
-2.3 mm (-0.091")
-0.5 mm (-0.018")
Forefoot Fit: Height
6.9
9.7
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
-3.7 mm (-0.146")
-0.8 mm (-0.031")
Arch Fit: Width
8.8
9.8
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
-2.2 mm (-0.087")
2.3 mm (0.092")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
8.4
6.9
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
30 mm (1.2")
18 mm (0.7")
Heel Apex Position
22.2%
20.7%
Heel Rocker Angle
24.8°
17.8°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
7.8
8.0
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
55 mm (2.2")
55 mm (2.2")
Toe Apex Position
59.0%
57.4%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
24.6°
25.6°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
Nitrofoam Elite
Nitrofoam Elite
Primary Foam Type
A-TPU
A-TPU
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
Sawtooth
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
4.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
2.1 mm (0.1")
1.1 mm (0.0")
Stretch
15.0%
10.5%
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
8.8
8.6
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
86.1%
84.5%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
8.9
8.3
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
86.7%
82.3%
Heel Cushioning
8.1
8.6
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
4.30 J
3.94 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
9.78 J
10.62 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
15.43 J
17.54 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.7
8.5
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
5.56 J
5.42 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
9.67 J
9.31 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
14.13 J
13.51 J
Heel Firmness
5.9
6.8
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
32.8 N/mm
39.6 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
46.2 N/mm
49.1 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
68.5 N/mm
69.8 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
6.0
6.6
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
49.5 N/mm
51.2 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
64.5 N/mm
66.9 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
89 N/mm
93 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
8.0
8.0
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
8.81 J
8.77 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
8.60 J
8.59 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
8.47 J
8.48 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
8.39 J
8.40 J
Rocker Stiffness
8.5
8.2
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
144 N
129 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%
79.4%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
8.3
8.6
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
23.0 N/mm
25.6 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
322 N
355 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
PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4
Comments
PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 vs PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
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Thanks for noticing! Our testing found an unusually large weight difference between the left and right shoe of the Deviate Nitro Elite 4, but our affirmation was incorrect, and we’ve fixed it. They’re about the same weight overall, though the Fast-R is still more aggressive in its geometry.
“The Fast-R is lighter and much more aggressive” - meanwhile the data shows the DNE4 as being the lighter shoe.