Puma Velocity Nitro 3 Review

I was excited to try the Puma Velocity Nitro 3. I haven’t tried many Puma running shoes, but they are always one of the most requested brands to review. In the last few years, Puma has really come back punching in the running industry, especially in women’s distance running. They have so many elite and pro athletes!

Before trying the Puma Velocity Nitro 3, I had a few questions:

• Is the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 a good running shoe? Yes, they’ve definitely fixed issues from the previous version, and it’s great.
• What is the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 used for? Daily runs and easy runs. It’s a jack of all trades daily trainer that can handle most of the rigors of training.
• Does the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 fit true to size? Yes, it fits fairly true to size and even with my wider than average foot, I haven’t had any issues running and wearing it.

Puma Velocity Nitro 3 Quick Facts

• Weight: 8.8 oz (249 g)
• Heel Drop: 10 mm
• Cost: $120

Puma Velocity Nitro 3 Upper and Fit

The Velocity Nitro 3 features an engineered mesh upper and is designed with reflective accents, ideal for lower light settings. I noticed the mesh was a bit thicker than I prefer, especially heading into the Mojave Desert summer. I would like to see it eventually be slightly thinner and/or more breathable. Is it terrible? No, but in warmer areas, you’ll notice it keeps more heat than desirable. I’ve heard Puma really updated the mesh from the previous version, so hopefully they will continue to update it so it’s even more breathable. The less-than-ideal breathable mesh isn’t a huge deal, but living in the desert, I prefer a very breathable shoe.

The rest of the Velocity Nitro 3 fits well, and I haven’t had to worry about any hot spots, chafing, or anything else. The minute I tried it on, I was like, “Wow, this shoe is comfortable.” The heel counter is soft with a plush fit. The one thing I find fascinating is the shoelaces. Why are they so long? It’s not a deal-breaker, but I’m like, “Who needs all of this shoelace?”

If you’ve never worn Puma running shoes, they fit fairly true to size. In running shoes, I wear between a women’s size 10-11 wide, and I’ve found the size 11 of the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 to fit true to size.

Puma Velocity Nitro 3 Ride:

Puma uses innovative Nitro Foam in the midsole, which offers two layers of responsive cushioning. The unique combination of a firmer bottom layer and a plush upper layer, supplemented by a TPU plate in the heel, delivers a ride that balances shock absorption but also is responsive. This foam and TPU plate combination makes it roll smoothly from heel to toe.

Puma also added 4 mm of Supercritical Foam to the Velocity. The stack height is now 39 mm in the heel and 29 mm in the forefoot. This additional foam makes the Velocity 3 much more soft than previous versions. Not soft enough you’re going to sink in and it’s unresponsive, but soft enough that is even better for easier runs than previous versions.

I wasn’t really sure where the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 would fit into my rotation. Would it be an easy run shoe? Daily trainer? Workout? I’ve found it fits best as a daily run shoe. It’s a shoe I enjoy taking out when I’m not sure what kind of run I’ll have for the day. It’s easy to pick up the pace, but has enough cushion that running easy feels fine too. It’s definitely a workhorse trainer that can handle the daily ins and outs of training. It might not be the most glamorous running shoe, so it’s an important type of shoe to have in your rotation.

Outsole

The outsole is graced by Puma’s proprietary Pumagrip technology, ensuring exceptional traction across various surfaces. I’ve used the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 on the desert trails as well in inclement weather days and have had no issues with sliding around. It’s been a great trainer for all sorts of weather.

As far as durability, I think the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 will last 400-500 miles. Plus, at just $120, there aren’t a lot of trainers that are going to last that long at that price point.

Puma Velocity Nitro 3 Conclusion:

I’m a big fan of the Velocity Nitro 3. It’s a great daily trainer that is durable. It felt great from the start with no issues. It’s been fun watching Puma rise back quickly into the running world, and I cannot wait to see what is next for them. They are a workhorse trainer that handles the rigors of everyday training.

Who Should Buy the Puma Velocity Nitro 3?

This shoe is perfect for runners seeking a daily trainer capable of handling everything from easy runs to longer efforts.

Who Should Not Buy the Puma Velocity Nitro 3?

There aren’t really a lot of reasons not to try the Velocity Nitro 3 since every runner needs a daily trainer. The two reasons you might want to avoid it include if you are living in a super hot area, or runners wanting a race day shoe might find the Velocity Nitro 3 less suitable due to its versatile but not ultra-fast design.

My Current Shoe Rotation:

Easy/Daily Runs: Puma Velocity Nitro 3, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, Tracksmith Eliot Runner, New Balance 1080v12 , Newton Gravity 12, , ASICS Superblast ,

Speed Work: 361 Degrees Furious Future, Nike Tempo Next%, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike ZoomX Streakfly

Long Runs: ASICS Superblast

Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Hoka Tecton X2 Shoe Review Speedland SL: PDX,Â

Races: 361 Degrees Furious Future, Hoka Cielo X1, New Balance Fuelcell 5280,  Reebok Run fast Pro , Nike Vaporfly 3 , ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris

You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.

Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.

Questions for you:

What is your favorite daily trainer?

Have you tried Puma Running shoes? It’s random, but I had a Puma running shoe for my first gym shoe in high school, LOL. Considering I barely passed the mile in high school (passing was a 12:30), I think it assisted me to just inch under that.