Puma - FAST-R NITRO™ Elite 3

Puma fast R3 is a solid option for those distances, if you can find one that is. Even with the heel design at those distances and paces it keeps you more midfoot to forefoot and has a quick turnover.

Definitely a hard one to get and also a gamble on will it work. Besides all of the not so great reviews I see in the VF4 I also find that one to be a great shoe for the 5/10k distance as well. Lower stack and still propulsive feeling. I’ve raced both in both distances and both were a good choice so it’s hard for me to say which is better.

The Fast-R3 fits similar to the Deviate Nitro 2 and Velocity Nitro 2: narrowish in the forefoot and a touch long, but not virtually unusable like the Deviate Nitro 3. I have run a half marathon in the FR3 and had no issues with my feet whatsoever.

Anyone generalizing about all super shoes and paces required doesn’t know what they are talking about. There is such a huge, huge range now of plated shoes with different foams, different rides, different… everything. There are options where the plate’s main purpose is to stabilize landing on very soft midsole, others with extremely aggressive plate and foam/midsole combos. Huge rockers, small rockers, etc etc. If you are into it and want to spend some money there are absolutely a pair of plated shoes out there that would benefit you, even if that benefit was mostly due to low weight and energy return. *Some* more aggressive super shoes like the puma fast r 3 really do benefit from and almost require a certain amount of force to get the benefit, and the alphafly is a terrible choice if your going to sit back in your stride and/or heel strike. Depending on your foot width and landing pattern and preference there are a lot of options though. I would try some on, ideally in a running store with an in store treadmill, and see how you feel. Wear them with pride whatever you get and enjoy them :)

\^ Fast R-3 is my go to 5k shoe at the moment, not currently in peak shape unfortunately but ran a low 16s for 5k a month ago @ OP

I'd get the Puma Fast R-3. I don't think I'd use them for a marathon, but for a 10k/5k they would probably be the fastest shoe for me (ran 16:59 5k this year).

Puma Fast-r Nitro Elite 3 should be on your list. I went to a shop to try the Vaporfly 4 and the Puma Fast-r Elite 3 last year. The Puma felt faster and more protective, it was a no brainer for me. I still love them and just feel fast and energetic. I bought them and have done an 18:26 5k PB in them and 38:39 10k PB. While a lot of that is down to the running and strength training, I also know the shoes are giving me the best chance out there and help me feel confident. If I could get them cheap enough and it was purely for 5km then I'd try the Vaporfly 4 again, but only to help save the Puma for when I really wanted a PB. They both fit fairly narrow. The Puma has a cut away heel which means it's really not for heel striking at all. If you're mid to heel then check out the Nitro Elite 4 or 3 (not the Fast-r version). I also tried the Streakfly 2. If you're strong with great form and want something more like a track spike for the road, they're super light and would be quick. But for me I wanted more shock absorption even for a 5k to half marathon race. They just weren't for me.

Coming from the Vaporfly Next 2's (which I loved), I tried the Vaporfly 4's, the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 3's and the Fast R3's. I also look at the Metaspeed Paris range but it seemed that these other three would be better for me (and the Tokyo's weren't out yet). Conclusion for me: Puma Fast R3. The Vaporfly 4's were lacking underfoot cushioning/protection it felt like, and felt slower than the Fast R 3's anyway. The Nitro Elite 3's felt great, but I wanted the fastest and lightest and the Fast R 3's were that. I bought them and have done one 5km solo time trial in them and went 18:45 on a slow course. They felt great. But - as a slight pronator who gets more towards heel strike as I tire, I would have doubts about taking these past a half marathon. For me, at 77kg, I would definitely make these my 5km and 10km shoes, half marathon it would be between the Vaporfly 2's or the Fast R3's (probably would try the latter at least once). Marathon I'd look at something else (Alphafly or Asics Tokyo) or use the Vaporfly 2's that still have some life in them.

Have a bunch of shoes that I don't need, but I've narrowed it down to the following rotation. * **Long/recovery:** Puma MagMax * **Daily/tempo:** Adidas Adizero EVO SL * **Interval/repetition:** Brooks Hyperion 2 I like the EVO SL for easy runs, but really all three can do easy. I wanted a more stable and protective shoe than the EVO SL for long runs, so brought in the MagMax. (Superblast 2 was a consideration but none of the stores around me have it to try on.) I find the EVO SL too mushy for fast speed work, and prefer running intervals in something firm and lower-stack rather than something plated (imo it's me who needs the speed training, not the shoe), so that's where the Hyperion 2 comes in. * **Race:** Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 Pretty extreme choice of race shoe (especially since I'm a heel striker), but at AU$350 I couldn't resist, and I've actually found it really agrees with me at any pace steady-state and above. (Can't run easy in them though.) I'm also interested in trying the Takumi Sen 11 as a dedicated 5k race shoe, and/or getting a more "traditional" carbon race shoe to complement the Fast-R 3.

Similar weight and height with same goals. Have tried ALOT of shoes this year for a lot of miles. My all around shoe that I have 4 pairs of now is the adidas adios pro 3. Nothing comes close. And they are insanely durable, and yes, they can be used even as a daily trainer. Many people use them as such and they are perfect for heavier runners. To name a few shoes I’ve run in (not just tried on), Adios Pro 4, Puma Fast R 3, Saucony Endorphin Elite 2, Sky Tokyo, Adios 9, Prime X 2 Strung, Evo SL, Endorphin Speed 4, Superblast 2, Megablast, Glycerin Max, MagMax, AlphaFly 3, Novablast 5, Hoka Mach 6, Skyward X, Rebel v4, and a lot more I’m forgetting. Adios Pro 3 is king. (Although I do use Puma Fast R 3 for more sessions at threshold and above, including racing).

https://preview.redd.it/h18qpp7c3epg1.jpeg?width=2352&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=70f48e8551e0dabf0af0a9fd3d3addcfb994fa43 FR3 worked so well for a couple of 5k tune up races I figured I’d be fine in them for the Gate River Run 15k ….. calf ripper DOMS for days 💀 don’t know how anyone can run a FM in them. But for a forefoot striker they are GOATed for shorter distances, will go for my mile PR in them

Daily: Dynafish X, Adios Pro 3 Workouts: Nitro Elite 3, Adios Pro 4 Long run: Adios Pro 4, Dynafish X. Race: Fast-R3 Just got the Dynafish and they are bangers… hype is real!

Adios Pro 4 or Nitro Elite 3 whichever you can get on sale. 1/2 size down in DNE3 and 1/2 size up in AP4. Both knock the socks off Evo SL. I think the DNE3 is the slightly faster shoe but either would be a huge step up from the Evo SL

Santa gave me some Adios Pro 4’s for Christmas and my Nitro Elite 3’s are still better… can’t imagine the DNE4 has gotta be ridiculous

6’3 and 99kg. Roughly 1:45-1:50 HM. Personally I like the puma shoes a lot(Deviate Nitro Elite 3 and Fast-R3). The latter does put a lot of stress on the calves and strongly encourages forefoot strikes, but nonetheless still a fun racer. Adidas pro4 feels good, but I (and many others that weighs less) have snapped the energy rods, and I don’t want to risk that happening again during a race. The new asics lineup is great(Ray and sky Tokyo) but based on their rubber coverage I’m concerned about their durability, especially my weight does wear out shoes faster than others. Otherwise some of the lightest racers out there, and since you have the Superblasts(I own two pairs and hate), there should be less fit risks within the same brand