Kuala Lumpur – PUMA has officially launched the highly anticipated Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3, its lightest and fastest race day shoe to date, designed to propel runners towards new personal bests.
Debuting at the Boston Marathon, the Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 combines cutting-edge technology and design, offering runners an enhanced efficiency that has the potential to shave significant time off their race day records. A research study conducted by the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, supports this claim.
The study, led by industry specialist Wouter Hoogkamer, concluded that the Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 provides a remarkable 3.15% improvement in running economy*. For a 3-hour marathon runner, this translates to a potential time saving of over 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
Commenting on these significant findings, Wouter Hoogkamer, Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst specializing in biomechanics and energetics of running, stated, “The most striking result from this study was the consistency of the running economy improvements. For every single participant, the numbers showed that running was easiest – requiring the least amount of metabolic energy – in the Fast-R 3. This is remarkable. From years of research, we know that our lab-measured improvements in running energetics translate to faster race times.“
Engineered in collaboration with elite runners and rigorously tested on athletes, the Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 weighs an astonishing 95 grams less than its predecessor. The decoupled midsole has been significantly upgraded with a new NITROFOAM™ ELITE compound, delivering next-level cushioning and responsiveness.
The restructured PWRPLATE offers unparalleled propulsion and elite efficiency while maintaining the silhouette’s iconic extension through the forefoot and beyond the toe – a distinctive design and performance advantage first introduced in the Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 2.
The shoe features a breathable upper crafted from premium, lightweight ULTRAWEAVE material, ensuring comfort and support throughout the race. Additionally, PUMA’s industry-leading PUMAGRIP outsole provides multi-surface traction, giving runners the confidence to push for a new personal best from start to finish.
Romain Girard, VP of Innovation at PUMA, highlighted the advanced development process: “We redefined the creation process to be completely digital. Optimizing this approach has resulted in science and data that proves PUMA is not just competing in the running category, we’re leading it. This is a truly generational shoe that sets a new standard for the entire category.”
Canadian Olympian Rory Linkletter, who debuted the shoe at the Boston Marathon, shared his experience: “Make no mistake, Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 is the most radical ride I’ve ever experienced, and I have the Strava receipts to prove it. It’s certainly the fastest shoe I’ve ever laced up.”
Designed with personal best chasers in mind, the Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 will not only be worn by PUMA’s elite runners competing in major marathons but also by 200 participants in the PUMA Project3, all striving to break their personal records with a chance to win $3,000.
Rena Elmer, a 41-year-old aiming to break 2:30 at the Boston Marathon, praised the shoe: “It’s great! I felt so fast and fluid. Definitely my favorite racing shoe and confident I will get a new PR in them.”
The Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 3 is available starting May 2nd, 2025 in limited quantities at PUMA.com and selected PUMA retailers for RM1,099.
*Compared to the PUMA Fast-R NITRO™ Elite 2
