
I still remember the first time when I ran in AlphaFly Next%. The feeling of unreal bounce, springy stride and the joy of hitting the pace so effortlessly. Since then I have used super shoes from Adidas, Nike, Puma, New Balance, and Saucony.  Most do their job well as racing shoes, but they no longer feel different, these are now the new Normal. 

I’ve heard about Fast R3 Nitro as part of Puma’s Project 3 on the run up to the Boston Marathon 2025\. Having used Puma’s other super racer, [Deviate Nitro Elite](https://shoegeeks.in/review/puma-deviatenitroelite-005012000/), I was excited.  It was so hyped that I wanted it badly.  Thankfully Puma India brought these supershoes right after they launched in India.  I bought a pair from Puma Indira Nagar store. 

*How does this new super shoe from Puma Fast R3 stand against the other racers? Does it really deliver on the hype?   Is it a worthy shoe for race day? Read the review.*

<ShoeCard shoeCode="005014003M"></ShoeCard>

##### What makes up Fast-R Nitro 3?

The shoe is so light (200grams in UK 10\) that it is unbelievable.  They do feel very delicate in the hands and are beautifully made.  If you have seen the previous edition of Fast R, this shoe looks similar –  A split midsole with a carbon plate visibly protruding out and the plate extending all the way forward beyond the toe box.   Fast R3 however is much more refined in looks.  The plate in the midsole is hidden now, and looks more similar to the early editions AlphaFly Next%.  The midsole is still split into two halves and the plate is also extended beyond the toe box.   

<LightBox src="/images/puma-fastR3_3.jpg" caption="Plate extended beyond toe-box" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Midsole__

The midsole of Fast R3 uses Nitro Elite Foam, which is made of Aliphatic TPU foam. The midsole feels superior to touch and is super soft. The split midsole is quite aggressive with a distinct tapered heel cutout – kind of inverse of Puma Fast FWD Nitro’s midsole shape.   The shape of the heel doesn’t give much confidence to heel first strike runners though.   The midsole has 40mm stack height at the heel, and 32mm in the forefoot, effectively offering an 8mm drop, just right for a racer.  

<LightBox src="/images/puma-fastR3_1.jpg" caption="Split midsole with deep heel cut-out" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Upper__

The upper is made up of a single layer engineered mesh (ULTRAWEAVE as Puma calls it).  It is the thinnest upper I have ever seen, and feels like paper.  It is extremely breathable and semi-transparent.    

The upper material is soft and wraps around the foot securely, providing a conforming sock-like fit.  The tongue is minimalist, is also paper-thin and not gusseted, and is made of the same upper material.  It takes a bit of time to make sure the tongue sits in properly above your foot though.

__Heel__

The heel area is really well-executed for a light weight racer. It has conventional heel collar with reasonable padding and a rigid heel cup for a comfortable and secure fit. The fit and lockdown are definitely an improvement over Deviate Nitro Elite that I’ve used in the past.  There is no heel tab though.  Given the shoe is easy to get in, one wouldn’t miss it much.

<LightBox src="/images/puma-fastR3_5.jpg" caption="Heel area is really well done for a racer" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Outsole__

The outsole is made from PUMAGRIP rubber.  However it is quite different from other Puma racers.  It is thin and resembles the outsole that you see in the Adios Pro series.  The tread pattern is flat and minimalist and primarily meant for road surfaces.  
The outsole is primarily focused on the forefoot which gives an indication of the shoe priorities.   The heel portion hardly has any rubber coverage. Two smaller rubber patches are located on the sides of the heel.

The midfoot area is left exposed with no rubber coverage to probably save weight and not interfere with the carbon fiber plate.  Carbon fiber plate can be seen through

##### Why did I buy it?

For my races I currently use AlphaFly Next %3.  I have settled on the AlphaFly line after trying other supershoes including Adios Pro, VaporFly, and Deviate Nitro Elite. I am quite happy with it and really not looking for an alternative. But given what I heard of Fast R3 Nitro from my friends, I really wanted to feel the excitement.  Bonus is that I might find something worthy of replacement.

##### Ride in Fast-R 3

The first time I laced up the Fast R3 Nitro, I couldn’t believe how light they felt.  At 200 grams for UK 10, I have never worn any shoe so light.  I felt a déjà vu from my first Alphafly experience, an unreal bounce when I tested it for a few strides.

However I had mixed feelings, given it has a bit of instability. The split midsole and that hollow heel design made them tricky to control, but once I found my rhythm after a few strides, it worked well.  That said, your ankle has to work a bit harder compared to other shoes. But the responsiveness and lightness makes up for it.

My first run with them was a local 10K, more of a threshold effort than a full race. After I started running, they felt quite stable, and I couldn’t really notice any tinge of instability.  The bounce was electric, almost playful, and even though I’m a heel-midfoot striker, the run went surprisingly smooth.

A few weeks later came the Hyderabad marathon (half). I went in confident after that 10K, and the shoe didn’t disappoint. The ride was soft yet powerful, every step full of energy return, and even in the final stretch, the shoe kept giving. However, in the final mile, my socks got soaked with sweat, I started to feel my feet slipping slightly inside the shoe. It didn’t ruin the race, but that is something to note.  Despite that, it was a PB on the course by a massive 3 minutes from the previous year.  The shoe definitely played some role. 

Next up was the Bengaluru half marathon. I planned a fast finish, and when I picked up the pace after the 12th kilometer, as expected the shoe felt like it was flying with me. But during the descent at the 19th kilometer, I suddenly felt a lump under my foot. For a moment, I thought my sock had bunched up, but later after the race when I checked it turned out the insole glue had given away had come loose and slid forward. Even then, I managed to hold pace and finish strong, with a surprise personal best by a minute, and this is not even a goal race.

__Fit and Comfort__

With 50+ km logged so far, it is one of the most comfortable racers I have used.  It feels **incredibly minimal and delicate** and you could sense just how thin and lightweight it is. It gives a super “skin-like” feel over your foot, which can feel amazing when everything is in place.  It is true to size, however, the fit is a bit relaxed.  You might have to try adjusting the lacing to get the right fit. Especially when your feet sweaty, or when your socks are soaked you may experience the slippage. 

__Stability __ 

The shoe feels a bit wobbly when walking or when running at slower speeds.  However, once you pick the pace the shoe is really stable.  I am particularly impressed by the uncompromised heel cup design and padding around it.  The cut-out in the heel might be a problem for extreme heel strikers though. 

__Road Grip __ 

Lack of tread in the outsole means the shoe is primarily designed for roads with good traction.  The shoe may slip on roads with gravel or loose sand probably.  All the three races that I tried the shoe in, I had no problem with the grip.  Heel strikers may find issues with the limited rubber in the heel. 

<LightBox src="/images/puma-fastR3_4.jpg" caption="Decent grip for a road racer" alt="" ></LightBox>

__Durability __  

Puma mentions the Fast-R 3 Nitro is designed for 150 km lifespan, which I think is a good practice.  Because the upper is ultra-thin, split midsole sections expose more foam edges, and the minimal outsole rubber on the heel, the lifespan can be even lower.

__Aesthetics & Ergonomics__

The shoe looks futuristic, aggressive, and highly distinctive. The "Heat Fire-Sun Stream" colorway that I have has a high-energy aesthetic, with vibrant orange and gold upper contrasted by black accents. The black Puma logo pops prominently off the side of the shoe, while the Puma Cat logo appears throughout the silhouette. The minimalist, almost transparent Ultraweave upper, the distinct decoupled midsole, and the visible carbon plate all contribute to the technical and aggressive look. "FOREVER. FASTER." is written on the insoles, finally makes sense.

### Review Summary

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="005001003M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Excellent bounce and energy return",
    "Extremely light weight",
    "Fits like a sock",
    "Excellent heel padding and fit for a racer"
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
  "May not work well for heel strikers",
  "Low durability compared to other racers"
  ]}
/>

<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
The Puma Fast R3 Nitro is a high-performance super shoe that pushes the limits of running fast. It’s unbelievably light, extremely responsive, but also a bit unstable, especially at slower paces. The thin upper and exposed midsole makes it a bit fragile, with durability limited to around 300 km.

<br>
</br> 
<br>
</br> 
Personally, I am still split between AlphaFly and Fast R3 as my choice of race day shoe for my next marathon in February, I am more inclined to Fast R3 given the experience so far.
<br>
</br> <br>
</br> 
Despite its quirks, it delivers an extremely performant ride that rewards faster runners who are looking to unlock their next level of performance. I’d recommend it for serious runners chasing their next personal best, and for those special days when every second counts.  
</InfoCard>


Puma Fast R Nitro Elite 3 Review


The Zoom Fly series has come a long way since its debut in 2017 with the original nylon-plated Zoom Fly v1 with Lunarlon foam. That first edition was my introduction to plated shoes, and I ended up owning two pairs, including the FlyKnit version, which remains my favorite Zoom Fly to date. Over the years, the Zoom Fly has carved its place as the OG super trainer, bridging the gap between daily trainers and carbon-plated racers.

The Zoom Fly line-up however lost its way as super trainers evolved. The continued use of React foam didn’t help.  Zoom Fly 5 switched to recycled ZoomX core encased in SR-02 EVA foam.  That didn’t change much for the line-up. With Zoom Fly 6, Nike has switched to Zoom X foam for the first time. At first glance, you might mistake it for an Alphafly, the aggressive midsole geometry and cutouts give it that vibe.  But it’s a completely different shoe underfoot.

<ShoeCard shoeCode="002006006M"></ShoeCard>

#### What makes up Nike Zoom Fly 6?

Under the hood, the Zoom Fly 6 packs a full-length carbon fiber plate sandwiched between a 40mm stack of dual-layered foam. There’s a mild rocker built in and a tapered heel bevel that looks very similar to AF3’s, designed to promote smoother transitions, especially for heel and midfoot strikers.  The shoes weigh about 290g (for UK 10) which is 15g lighter than the previous edition.  It is now roughly the same weight as the Puma Deviate Nitro 3.  Heel to toe drop of 8mm remains the same as the previous edition, making it suitable for runners of all foot-strike types.

##### Midsole

The dual layered midsole has ZoomX foam on the top and SR-02 Eva foam on the bottom. Both foams have the same softness and reads at 25 HA on the durometer scale. For reference, that’s significantly softer than the Alphafly 3, which measures around 35 HA. However, the two layers of the foam differ in characteristics, and SR-02 Eva foam is supposed to be much more durable.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
  <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox
      src="/images/zoomfly6_3.jpg"
      caption=""
      alt=""
    ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

##### Upper

Nike went for a layered construction here: a thin, transparent mesh overlay (very similar to vaporweave)  on top of engineered mesh. It keeps its shape well and gives the shoe a unique character visually. Breathability, however, isn’t its strong suit, especially in humid conditions.

##### Heel

The heel is well-padded and supportive. The firm heel cup adds to the stability. Combined with the tapered bevel, it creates a very forgiving landing platform, particularly for heel strikers. The lockdown is secure without feeling overbuilt. 

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
  <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox
      src="/images/zoomfly6_1.jpg"
      caption=""
      alt=""
    ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

##### Outsole

One of the most aesthetic outsole designs I’ve seen on a Nike shoe so far. The rubber coverage is generous in the forefoot and the heel, and feels durable. Even after 200km, there’s barely a scratch.


#### Why did I consider this shoe?

I was also looking for a fast-yet-comfortable threshold shoe to rotate with my Puma Deviate Nitro 3. A friend was travelling to Tokyo, and the price there was almost 4000 rupees cheaper. So the timing was perfect.


#### Ride In Zoom Fly 6

Step-in comfort is excellent, and the shoe immediately feels plush underfoot. The combination of a 40mm ZoomX stack and the carbon plate delivers a distinctly cushioned ride. It’s soft – maybe too soft for my taste. At walking pace, it feels almost squishy, and at moderate paces, it lacks the snappy response you’d expect from a plated trainer. 

The first few runs, however, left me conflicted. At easy to moderate paces, the ride feels a bit dull – the softness mutes any sense of snap. It’s only when you push into faster efforts, particularly around marathon pace and faster, that the Zoom Fly 6 comes alive. The plate and rocker work better at those speeds, making it feel efficient and smooth.

Many of my running mates swear by the Zoom Fly 6 for its versatility, but personally, I find it more of a niche shoe for dedicated tempo and long marathon paced runs rather than a do-it-all trainer.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
  <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox
      src="/images/zoomfly6_2.jpg"
      caption=""
      alt=""
    ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

##### Fit & Comfort

After logging 200km, the comfort remains a highlight. The padding around the heel and collar makes it easy to wear for long runs. The midfoot fit is dialed in perfectly, while the toe box is surprisingly roomy. That’s great for comfort but may not be ideal for racing, where a snugger fit is preferable.

Breathability is the only downside. On humid days, the upper runs warm, and the dual-layer mesh doesn’t vent as well as some other tempo trainers.

##### Stability

Despite the towering 40mm stack, the Zoom Fly 6 is impressively stable. The wide base, padded and firm heel, and a stiff carbon plate help keep it controlled through corners and uneven patches, which isn’t always the case with supershoes.


##### Road Grip 

The outsole delivers dependable traction, even on sandy or slightly dusty roads. Bengaluru roads are full of fine sand, the dried mud after the rains. Wet performance hasn’t been an issue so far, though I haven’t tested it extensively in heavy rain.

<div class="d-flex flex-row align-items-center justify-content-center">
  <div class="col-12 col-md-8 px-1">
    <LightBox
      src="/images/zoomfly6_5.jpg"
      caption=""
      alt=""
    ></LightBox>
  </div>
</div>

##### Durability

The outsole is holding up exceptionally well with minimal wear after 200km. The midsole shows some early compression, which is typical for ZoomX at this softness level, but it hasn’t impacted ride quality yet. I’d estimate 600–800km of life, depending on runner weight and usage.

##### Aesthetics

The outsole is holding up exceptionally well with minimal wear after 200km. The midsole shows some early compression, which is typical for ZoomX at this softness level, but it hasn’t impacted ride quality yet. I’d estimate 600–800km of life, depending on runner weight and usage.


#### Review Summary

<ReviewSummaryCard shoeCode="002006006M"></ReviewSummaryCard>

<ProsCard
  title="PROS"
  pros={[
    "Excellent for marathon‑paced workouts and faster threshold runs",
    "Full carbon plate delivers stable responsiveness",
    "Better value and durability than lighter pure racing shoes",
  ]}
/>

<ConsCard
  title="CONS"
  cons={[
"Too soft for mid‑pace and easy sessions",
"Average breathability makes it less ideal for sweaty long runs",
  ]}
/>


<InfoCard title="RECOMMENDATION">
The Nike Zoom Fly 6 perfectly cements its role as the go‑to speed‑training hybrid: soft enough for long miles, firm enough for marathon‑pace tempo runs, and stable enough for everyday use. If you're looking for value, comfort, and some carbon‑plate pop without the extremes of a Vaporfly or Alphafly, this could be your ideal workhorse.
</InfoCard>

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Reviews

Puma Fast R Nitro Elite 3 Review

Nike Zoom Fly 6