PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 vs Deviate NITRO Elite 4

PUMA

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Apr 29, 2026 04:37 PM

See PUMA Fast-R NITRO Elite 3 Review

PUMA

Weight 173.3 g (6.11 oz)

Heel-To-Toe Drop 8.9 mm

Plate Carbon Fiber

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 are two super-light super shoes from the big cat brand, but they target different racers. The Fast-R sits on top as the more aggressive option, with a decoupled midsole design that's well-suited to forefoot strikers and elite runners who want the snappiest feel. The Deviate is the more approachable choice for most people: it's still very light, but it uses a more standard platform that feels more stable and a bit more protective.

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))

Review

See PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Review

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Notice: Two or more of the products being compared have been tested with different test methodologies. Some of the results aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our running shoes test methodology.

Threshold

0.10

Marathon Racing

8.7

8.6

Forefoot Compression Energy Return

8.9

8.3

Outsole Arch Width

25 mm (1.0")

60 mm (2.4")

Full Comparison

Marathon Racing

8.7

8.6

5K/10K Racing

8.4

Responsiveness

8.5

8.4

Cushioning

8.4

8.6

Lateral Stability

6.5

6.7

True To Size

9.4

8.6

Design

Weight

8.9

Right Shoe Weight Photo

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PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Right Shoe Weight Photo

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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PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Stack Height Photo

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

External Shape

3D Model Full Shoe

Preview 3D

PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 3D Model Full Shoe

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

PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 3D Model Internal

Internal Length

273 mm (10.7")

270 mm (10.6")

Internal Heel Width

60 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width

93 mm (3.7")

91 mm (3.6")

Wide Sizing Available

Forefoot Fit: Width

9.4

9.9

Forefoot Width Photo

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PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Forefoot Width Photo

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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PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Forefoot Height Photo

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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PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation

-2.2 mm (-0.087")

2.3 mm (0.092")

Length Fit

7.0

Toe Clearance Photo

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PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry

8.4

Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring

30 mm (1.2")

Heel Apex Position

22.2%

Heel Rocker Angle

24.8°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry

7.8

Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring

55 mm (2.2")

Toe Apex Position

59.0%

Forefoot Rocker Angle

24.6°

Other Features

Other Features Photo

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PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type

Non-gusseted

Plate

Carbon Fiber

Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return

8.8

8.6

Heel Compression Video

Heel Energy Return

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

Forefoot Energy Return

86.7%

82.3%

Heel Cushioning

8.1

8.6

Heel Cushioning Picture

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Heel Cushioning

Preview Graph

PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Heel Cushioning

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

PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Forefoot Cushioning

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

5.8

4.8

Heel Firmness

Preview Graph

PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N

47.1 N/mm

43.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N

130.6 N/mm

101.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N

295.0 N/mm

250.6 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness

7.4

7.7

Forefoot Firmness

Preview Graph

PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N

88.5 N/mm

92.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N

177.7 N/mm

200.0 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N

394.7 N/mm

408.4 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

8.0

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Preview Graph

PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

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

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Preview Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker

144 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return

8.9

Forefoot Bending Video

Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Preview Graph

Forefoot Bending Energy Return

80.2%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness

8.3

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance

Preview Graph

Forefoot Bending Stiffness

23.0 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force

322 N

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