The Puma Fast-R Elite 3 sold me. While I wasn’t really glued to my phone during Boston Marathon weekend, one thing stood out time and time again and that was the marketing for the Puma Fast-R Elite 3. It made me want to try the shoe, and I caved and bought this $300 model. $300 for a running shoe that only lasts a few marathons is crazy talk but here I am reviewing the shoe.
Puma has been slowly climbing the ranks in the super shoe scene, and the Fast-R Elite 3 feels like their boldest move yet. The Fast-R 3 is the latest version of their aggressive, decoupled Puma racing shoe, and this time, it’s leaner, lighter, and surprisingly fast. Just looking at it, you’re like wow, that is an interesting-looking shoe. It really does stand out. Puma claims that you will run faster. During Boston Marathon weekend, I saw people pop up with signs that said: this shoe will make me run X amount faster. Is that true? Is it hype? I’m not usually one that falls for that sort of marketing but for whatever reason, this time around Puma sold me.
Earlier versions of the Puma Fast-R Elite felt like workout shoes or bulky shoes that didn’t really hit the mark on race day. This time, Puma lightened the shoes to be around 6 ounces for men and 5 ounces for women. That’s crazy light.
But does the revamped Puma Fast-R Elite 3 actually deliver on performance?
Before trying the Puma Fast-R Elite 3, I had a few questions:
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Did the Puma Fast-R Elite get a major update? For sure. If you tried previous versions, this new version is not going to feel too similar and I mean this in a good way.
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Is the Puma Fast-R Elite 3 fast? Yes, it’s Puma’s fastest shoe yet.
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Does the Puma Fast-R Elite 3 fit true to size? Yes, it’s been fairly comfortable from the first run to the most current.
Now, let’s get into an honest Puma Fast-R Elite 3 review because you know, I bought this $300 shoe and I can’t return it.
Puma Fast-R Elite 3 Upper and Fit
I didn’t run in previous versions, but I heard (and saw) that the upper was a problem. The Fast-R 3 embraces a cleaner, more refined aesthetic. The translucent mesh is featherlight, barely-there, and the tongue is minimal but secure. There’s very little padding around the collar, but the heel locks in surprisingly well. The fit is snug without being restrictive, offering that race-day wrap you want when pushing the pace.
The best running shoes for race day disappear off your feet, and it can be hard to find that in a racing shoe but I am shocked the Puma Fast-R Elite 3 felt great immediately. I put it on and was like, wow, this is a good-fitting running shoe. There are no hot spots, and it just feels good.
Sizing-wise, it fits true to size. In running shoes, I wear between a women’s size 10–11 wide and have found the size 11 to fit the best. I don’t have any issues, and you should be able to use your usual size. I’m still a bit shook that the Puma Fast-R Elite 3 fits as well as it does. Usually in these high performing shoes, they aren’t super comfortable but the Puma Fast-R Elite was comfortable the moment I put it on.
Puma Fast-R Elite 3 Ride
The midsole is where the magic happens, right? The biggest update comes underfoot. Puma swapped the previous heavier foam for a new aliphatic ETPU compound that’s bouncy, soft, and resilient. For my own needs, this swap is likely what has made me a fan of the shoe. I am used the era of racing flats that were so light. Big, bulky carbon plated shoes just don’t do it for me. In fact, they can cause problems in my hamstrings.
Anyway, this new foam is paired with a redesigned carbon PWRPlate. The heel and forefoot are with a noticeable toe-off extension that gives the ride a mechanical, propulsive feel. The decoupled design definitely takes some getting used to, but after a couple of workouts, I didn’t even notice it.
When I used the Puma Fast-R Elite 3 in my first workout, I ran faster than usual. I didn’t want that to be the case, because I hate when brands hype shoes up that you “will run x amount of time faster,” but I did. It felt like I was putting in less effort but running faster. You really feel the bounce in the heel of the Puma Fast-R Elite 3. It feels like a springboard.
Compared to other carbon-plated running shoes, I would say the Puma Fast-R Elite 3 feels most like the Alphafly but less clunky. I was hesitant to think the Fast-R Elite 3 would feel amazing, because honestly, I thought it would feel bulky and it really doesn’t. (I think I should have memories of the Alphafly and it did not feel fast to me at all LOL…but different shoes for different people)…
Where does the Puma Fast-R Elite 3 fit into my rotation? Like any carbon-plated race shoe, I use it for fast runs only. I hesitate to use it for anything else because I want the shoe to last. It’s a lot softer than other carbon-plated models, but it handles all fast paces well. I’ve done track workouts and longer tempos with no issues. It’s one of the few super shoes for racing I think handles everything well. Sometimes a carbon plated shoe is only good for long runs and marathon paced work, sometimes it feels best on the track. But this feels good at a range of paces.
Outsole
Puma’s Pumagrip rubber continues to dominate. It’s tacky, durable, and handles wet pavement well. If I need to make a 180-degree turn in inclement weather, I’m not worried about sliding around.
Puma claims this $300 super shoe can last 8 marathons…that’s a huge claim and double the life of other carbon-plated racing shoes. So far, I’ve put about 30 miles on mine, and they do seem like they’ll hold up. I’m thinking for me, around 150 which is still pretty good.
Puma Fast-R Elite 3 Conclusion
At $300, the Puma Fast-R Elite 3 is an expensive shoe, but I think between the durability and the wide range of paces it can hit, it’s a good shoe. (Darn it, I hate when social media hype shoes are actually good). So far, I’ve been surprisingly happy with it (and I’m usually not with what I call the “social media hype shoe”). I don’t have a ton I dislike, probably just that it’s $300 and already sold out.
Who Should Buy the Puma Fast-R Elite 3
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Runners seeking a high-performance race shoe
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Runners curious to break from Nike or adidas and try something truly different
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Athletes looking for fast marathon running shoes
Who Should Not Buy the Puma Fast-R Elite 3
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Runners who prefer a traditional, connected underfoot feel over decoupled geometry
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Budget-conscious runners who aren’t ready to spend $300 on a racing shoe
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Mizuno Neo Zen, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, New Balance 1080v13 Shoe Review , Newton Gravity 12, ASICS Superblast 2
Speed Work: 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0 Nike Tempo Next%, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike ZoomX Streakfly, Nike Alphafly 3
Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, 361 Degrees Eleos Shoe Review
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Hoka Tecton X2 Shoe Review Speedland SL: PDX,
Races: 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Reebok Run fast Pro ,Nike Vaporfly 3 ,
Curious about how I do gear reviews? You can read about that here.
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:
Do you have a favorite race shoe?
Have you tried Puma before?
