Introduction
The Puma Velocity Nitro series has earned its place as one of the most popular neutral daily trainers on the market, offering a reliable and well-cushioned ride at an affordable price point. In recent times it has gained a lot of respect from HYROX athletes who have appreciated a good running shoe that can cope with the demands of activities such as sled pushing and pulling, while feeling stable on lunging and wall balls. It has certainly been a part of my own running shoe rotation for some time.
The latest iteration, the Velocity Nitro 3, arrives with subtle yet meaningful updates to improve comfort, support, and versatility. Puma retains the shoe’s easy-going feel while, in particular, upping the cushioning for longer distances and structuring the heel for better stability.
Read on for an in-depth review of the Velocity Nitro 3’s updates and discover whether it’s something you may want to add to your shoe collection, especially if training for HYROX…
Velocity Nitro 3 Spec / Updates
Weight and Stack Height
The Velocity Nitro 3 gains 2mm of foam underfoot over the previous version, bringing the heel stack height to 36mm and forefoot stack height to 26mm (for a 10mm overall drop). This extra midsole makes for a slightly heavier shoe, with the Nitro 3 (size 10) weighing in at around 306grams. This is compared to the previous version at 283grams. However, despite the added weight, it does still feel relatively light on foot, and I’ve happily used mine for longer runs.
Nitro Foam Cushioning
The key update is the increase of Puma’s proprietary “Nitro Foam” in the midsole. This nitrogen-infused foam is designed with the aim of providing a soft and energetic cushioning, to increase both the comfort and energy return in the shoe for easier miles. In my opinion the comfort provided is good, without being mind-blowingly good. It’s a daily trainer than can handle the miles with sufficient comfort. The extra foam, and stack height, doesn’t seem to make the shoe feel unstable. I’ve been able to lunge and wall ball in them without any stability issues, and a long run outside didn’t prove to cause any problems when turning corners etc (partly helped, presumably, by the grippy outsole).
Unchanged Outsole
The outsole of the Velocity Nitro 3 utilises the same durable PUMAGRIP rubber as prior versions, with really good traction on a range of surfaces – an important factor for those concerned about pushing sleds, stability round corners, etc. This is one big reason why previous versions have become so popular in the HYROX community.
Redesigned Heel Structure
Puma also reengineered the structure and shape of the heel collar and counter. This helps lock the foot in place for better stability, while also providing some additional Achilles tendon protection with more targeted padding around the ankle collar.
Heel stability is something incredibly important for HYROX athletes but in my experience is not discussed enough; many people will talk about the underside grip of a shoe (for sled pushing purposes), but you also don’t want your heel slipping out the back of the shoe when pushing those sleds.
Overall, it holds the foot in place very well and I would say is definitely an improvement when compared to the previous version.
Upper
The upper mesh of the shoe is designed to be breathable and flexible, with reinforcing overlays in high-wear areas for added support. There are certainly are more breathable shoes on the market but that’s not to say there are issues from this perspective with the Velocity 3 – I’d still happily wear them in hot conditions, and would say it’s on par with the previous version.
Sizing and Fit
The Velocity Nitro fits true-to-size and is comparable to other Puma models and brands like Nike and Brooks.
Conclusion
For £110 / $130, the Velocity Nitro 3 continues Puma’s reputation for reasonably priced, dependable daily trainers that can tackle any run with solid reliability. Whilst not hugely different to the previous version, the updates provide a slightly softer ride (and perhaps improved longevity of the shoe) while retaining the smooth transitions and natural flexibility suited for a variety of paces and distances. Overall, the Puma Velocity Nitro 3 is a well-rounded daily trainer that’s a good option for runners of all levels. If you’re looking for the lightest or most responsive shoe on the market, this isn’t it, but it is comfortable, versatile, stable and provides very good grip.
I personally plan to use mine primarily for my longer training runs, but it does have the capability of performing well for faster paced efforts (without being a dedicated speed shoe). I’ll also incorporating into HYROX style workouts (the comfort, grip and heel support being perfect for that use). From a racing perspective, if budget allows, I’d personally consider other options (the Puma Deviate Nitro being one of them) and use the Velocity 3 as part of my training shoe rotation. Check this article for more info on picking the best shoe for HYROX.
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