Puma PUMA Quick-R Nitro Elite 3 Introduction

The primary and second variations of the Quick-R Elite weren’t the market shakers that PUMA hoped they’d be. The Quick-R is meant to be PUMA’s tip of the long-distance racing spear, their model of the Nike Alphafly or the Saucony Endorphin Elite, however not many elite PUMA athletes used V1 or V2 to race marathons in. Most of them most well-liked the cheaper PUMA racer, the Deviate Elite.

Once I reviewed the Quick-R 2 final 12 months, I mentioned that it felt extra like a coaching shoe than a racer. It was too heavy and it didn’t really feel as quick as different marathon racers. I additionally felt that it transitioned slowly from heel to forefoot as a result of there was no midfoot part within the sole. I didn’t use it for any races and I additionally most well-liked the a lot lighter, a lot smoother, Deviate Elite 3.

The Quick-R 3 prices $40 greater than its predecessor, which is an insane enhance. Normally, the worth enhance for trainers from iteration to iteration is within the area of $5-$15. It now prices greater than the Nike Alphafly, Saucony Endorphin Elite and the On Cloudboom Strike.

To make sure that individuals nonetheless purchase the shoe, PUMA employed Dr. Wouter Hoogkamer to conduct a examine to show that the Quick-R is “extra environment friendly” than opponents. He and his crew additionally performed the examine of the Nike Vaporfly 4% that garnered the identify.

He managed to show that on common, the Quick-R 3 improved operating financial system by 3.5% in comparison with opponents. This examine needs to be taken with a grain of salt although as a result of it has not been printed in a peer-reviewed journal, and the total methodology and information haven’t been publicly disclosed. The pattern measurement was additionally a small one, consisting of solely 15 athletes.

The Quick-R 3 weighs 6 oz (170 g) for a males’s US 9. That is 2.8 oz (80 g) lighter than its predecessor. It has the identical midsole stack heights, 40 mm/32 mm and it prices $300.

Puma PUMA Quick-R Nitro Elite 3 First Impressions

My first run within the Quick-R 3 was an all out half marathon. This model felt rather more like a racer, not like V2. The lighter construct might be felt instantly and transitions felt sooner. I additionally seen that it felt much less steady than V2.

It rained flippantly for many of the race however the Quick-R 3’s traction was very good. The higher was much more snug than its predecessor and it match me like a glove. It didn’t soak up a lot liquid.

I completed the race in 1 hour 33 minutes which wasn’t a PB for me however the route had plenty of elevation. The Quick-R 3 was good however it didn’t blow me away with its velocity help. It jogged my memory of the HOKA Cielo X1 2.0 however with a extra steady trip. It’s additionally a lot lighter than the Cielo X1.

Puma PUMA Quick-R Nitro Elite 3 Higher

The Quick-R 3 has a brand new Ultraweave engineered mesh that feels loads thinner, lighter and extra foot-conforming than the earlier model. It now not has a bootie development so the collar and tongue usually are not knitted. This makes the shoe really feel cooler and extra appropriate for racing.

The tongue is paper-thin and never gusseted so it’s important to flatten it when placing it on in order that it doesn’t fold. They’ve eliminated the annoying, onerous fin on the heel counter; heel lockdown continues to be glorious.

The Quick-R matches true to measurement for me however it runs a bit longer than common. It has a spacious inside for a racer so I’d suggest it for extensive footed runners. There aren’t any reflective parts on this model.

Puma PUMA Quick-R Nitro Elite 3 Sole Unit

There are a pair vital modifications they’ve made to get the Quick-3 to really feel sooner than its predecessor. The largest change is that they’ve added a midfoot part to the midsole- there was beforehand a niche between the rearfoot and the forefoot. This hole made transitions really feel gradual for those who had been a heel striker, like myself.

The stuffed in midsole now makes transitions really feel smoother. The heel and the forefoot nonetheless really feel like 2 separate elements however heel to toe transitions are faster. For those who’re a heel striker, you’ll be capable of discover this instantly.

The Nitro Elite foam within the midsole continues to be aliphatic TPU, however it’s been reformulated to be barely softer than V2. Vitality return is respectable however it’s not fairly as explosive as another top-tier foams available on the market. It has a superb quantity of compression if you load it however it doesn’t spring again as quick as some PEBA foams which can be presently out there.

The Quick-R 3 feels higher the sooner you go. While you’re doing quick paces (threshold or sooner) and also you’re touchdown additional ahead, it feels most effective. That’s why it’s extra suited to midfoot/forefoot strikers than heel strikers. When doing my marathon tempo or slower, I can really feel the decoupled heel compress first earlier than the forefoot and there’s a slight delay.

The carbon PWRPLATE is extra versatile than within the final 2 variations of the shoe. I really feel like this modification makes it much less aggressive as a result of the rocker isn’t as outstanding. It doesn’t really feel as punchy with a carbon plate that bends throughout transitions. I additionally skilled this within the HOKA Cielo X1 2.0 and I hope they return to a brilliant stiff plate within the subsequent model.

The Quick-R 2 was a really steady tremendous shoe however the Quick-R 3 is kind of the alternative. With much less torsional rigidity by means of the midfoot part (due to the versatile plate and softer foam), the Quick-R 3 feels unstable when cornering and when operating on uneven surfaces. I really feel that it doesn’t present sufficient stability for me to make use of it for a marathon.

The longest run I did within the Quick-R 3 was 32 kilometres and that’s essentially the most my legs might deal with. By the top of that run, my ankles, shins and calves felt overworked.

The outsole is the place they’ve managed to save lots of plenty of weight. The outsole rubber is far thinner and smoother than earlier variations so it’s now not a racer that you should utilize for coaching too. It ought to solely be used on race days. My pair is displaying vital put on within the centre of the rearfoot the place there isn’t any rubber safety. Traction is phenomenal, even in moist climate.

In terms of construct high quality, the Quick-R 3 is a degree beneath the flagship marathon racers from different manufacturers. On my pair, after simply 86 kilometres, there’s an extended cavity/groove forming on the forefoot of the outsole rubber. It’s as if the froth is caving in on itself. I reached out to somebody at PUMA about it and he mentioned that it’s not regular for this to occur.

On the toe cap, the rubber can also be separating from the froth, exposing the carbon plate on the one shoe. Not what you wish to see from a shoe that prices $300 earlier than tax.

Puma PUMA Quick-R Nitro Elite 3 Conclusions

For those who’re going to be charging $300, you might want to have one thing that seems like a game-changer and is loads sooner than the competitors. For me, the Quick-R Elite 3 is just not a top-tier marathon racer (by way of velocity help) and I feel for many runners, it will likely be too unstable to make use of for a full marathon. It’s essential to have actually strong operating type to have the ability to run in it for over 2 hours at a quick tempo.

The Deviate Elite 3 is the higher, extra steady PUMA marathon racer for my part and most runners who’re 3 hour marathoners or slower will favor the Deviate Elite. The Deviate Elite 3 is $70 cheaper than the Quick-R 3, has a smoother trip and it’s simpler to buy- there’s loads of inventory presently out there.

The Quick-R 3 is lighter and it’s sooner than the Quick-R 2 for half marathons or shorter however for a marathon, I’d decide the Quick-R 2. The Quick-R 2 is much more steady and can assist you higher when your type breaks down within the last quarter of the marathon.

I feel they may have widened the bottom of the Quick-R 3 extra and sacrificed a number of the weight saving. That may have made it stabler and extra interesting for a wider vary of runners. I additionally most well-liked the stiffer plates of V1 and V2 that supplied extra velocity help.