PUMA Deviate Pure Nitro review

The PUMA Deviate Pure Nitro is a very good option for:

• PUMA fans who don't want to hear about adidas but loved the EVO SL concept and want a similar lightweight, versatile shoe from their fav brand.
• Runners who want a versatile, fun, speedy, and good-looking daily trainer that can handle everything from easy runs to tempo sessions.
• Beginners looking for a shoe that can handle daily runs, some quality work, and the occasional race while keeping the price at a fair level.
• Anyone fond of classic running shoes but still eager for a fast, lightweight, and performance-focused ride.

The PUMA Deviate Pure Nitro isn't the most stable shoe we've tested, as its moderate midsole width adds to its fun, agile ride but limits support. If stability is a priority, we think its two main rivals, the Saucony Endorphin Azura and adidas Adizero EVO SL, are worth considering instead.

We also think that, despite having a roomier upper than other PUMA shoes, wide-footed runners will be better served by a shoe like the Topo Cyclone 3 or Altra Escalante 5.

The PUMA Deviate Pure Nitro scored 141 SA in the heel and 112 SA in the forefoot in our shock absorption test. This provides enough cushioning for long runs, especially for lighter runners and heel strikers, while forefoot strikers may find it better suited to short and medium-distance runs.

One of the requirements for joining the club founded by the EVO SL is a midsole that delivers top-tier energy return while keeping the shoe's price reasonable.

And we proved that the Deviate Pure Nitro delivers on that front thanks to its 100% PEBA-based Nitro foam, scoring 72.9% in the forefoot and 68.9% in the heel.

The stack height is ideal for this shoe. It's not too low, allowing it to handle almost any distance and work as a true do-it-all running shoe, but it's not so high that it feels overwhelming or too bulky for easy days.

We measured it at 37.2 mm in the lab, which, again, we think is inside the sweet-spot zone for a versatile trainer.

The forefoot lands very close to average at 27.6 mm. Forefoot strikers may wish for a bit more foam here, but other runners will appreciate that PUMA didn't go for a max-stack design, allowing you to feel more connected to the ground.

This running shoe works best for runners who prefer a higher drop, as we measured a 9.6 mm heel-to-toe drop. It's a great fit for heel strikers or anyone who enjoys the classic daily-trainer feel of the 10 mm drops that were once so common.

This 100% PEBA version of Nitro is a pleasant choice for everyday use, and we certainly felt that during testing. However, runners expecting a very plush ride may be slightly disappointed, as it measures a bit firmer than that at 38.6 AC, just above our current average.

We think this formulation works particularly well for the Deviate Pure, as it carefully balances softness and stability. Like most PEBA foams, it also performs exceptionally well in cold temperatures, maintaining almost the same softness. We measured just a 2% difference after putting it in the freezer for 20 minutes!

The PUMA Deviate Pure Nitro has a subtle rocker that never felt intrusive during our runs. Since the forefoot isn't overly stiff, PUMA didn't need to add a highly-pronounced front curvature, while the heel simply helps ease the transition without ever feeling uncontrolled.

In our experience, this makes the shoe suitable for a wide range of runners and paces. And it feels a long way from the aggressive geometry of plated super trainers.

It's important to point out that PUMA has mimicked the EVO SL's design with a small midfoot shank that reinforces and supports this area of the shoe without adding much stiffness.

After cutting the Deviate Pure Nitro in half, it was easy to spot the shank. However, it would have been even easier to see if PUMA had used a darker colour, similar to what adidas did with the EVO SL.

PUMA tends to deliver a snug fit on most of its shoes, but this one is different. From the very first minute we tried the Deviate Pure Nitro, we noticed that it was definitely roomier. Naturally, we wanted to know more...

We measured a width of 95.3 mm, which is very close to our lab average and certainly not super snug by any means.

The second measurement, this time in the toebox area, further confirms that this shoe offers plenty of room in the forefoot, measuring 74.0 mm.

In our experience, this creates a more accommodating fit that should work well for runners who prefer more room than they typically get from other PUMA shoes.

Where things get more in line with other PUMA shoes is toebox height. Here, the shoe isn't as roomy, with just 23.3 mm of vertical clearance.

This type of fit works very well for creating a foot-hugging feel, but we can see some runners wanting more room to wiggle their toes or improve airflow inside the shoe.

PUMA is a brand that rarely disappoints when it comes to traction, thanks to its PUMAGRIP rubber, and the Deviate Pure Nitro is no exception. It ticks this box with ease, delivering a 0.71 coefficient of friction on wet concrete, which proves it can handle rainy days with confidence.

The outsole features a familiar design seen on other daily trainers from the German brand, with strong forefoot coverage and two rubber pads in the heel. This is exactly what we expected, and it works well for this shoe, as it can even handle some dirt roads without any issues.

We needed 13.5N to bend the Deviate Pure Nitro to 30 degrees, which is consistent with its lack of a full-length plate and its stack height.

The weight is simply impressive. At 7.6 oz (215g), this is one of the lightest daily trainers you can buy today. 

This is largely thanks to the use of 100% PEBA foam instead of heavier EVA, which also makes the shoe highly capable at tempo paces. For some old-school runners, it can even work well as an unplated, fast shoe for 5K or 10K races.

Stability is not the strongest part of the PUMA Deviate Pure Nitro, as the brand has clearly prioritised an agile ride, which could also be a major selling point compared with bulkier rivals like the Endorphin Azura.

Nonetheless, neutral runners will find enough support, especially when striking with the midfoot, as this area is reinforced, as we showed in the "Plate" section.

Thanks to the lack of a carbon plate, the Deviate Pure Nitro has low torsional rigidity at just 12.0 Nm, resulting in a more natural ride that adds versatility and makes the shoe well-suited to easy runs.

The heel counter shouldn't cause issues for most runners, as it features a familiar design with balanced stiffness at 3/5 and enough padding to keep the heel comfortable.

One of the best things about the Deviate Pure Nitro is that it... deviates from the current trend in running shoe design by avoiding an overly broad midsole platform.

It's a slight downgrade in stability compared with other peers, but in our experience, the upside of a more agile, fun, and tempo-friendly ride is absolutely worth it. We measured 114.6 mm.

The heel follows the same design philosophy, and PUMA even resisted the temptation to make this area wider, keeping the forefoot close to average at 90.3 mm.

It really feels like a classic daily trainer in this regard, and we can see many runners appreciating this detail.

PUMA tried a new engineered mesh here, and it surprised us with its softness and comfortable feel. However, we later found out that this comes at the expense of durability, as it scored a poor 1/5 in our first test with the Dremel.

The second result was somewhat better and an improvement nonetheless, but it still falls below average at 3/5.

Things get better with the outsole, although that's hardly surprising given PUMAGRIP's excellent track record. Only 0.7 mm of rubber wore away from the outsole!

PUMA knows that PUMAGRIP holds up well against abrasion, which likely explains why the brand uses a thinner-than-usual 2.4 mm layer here.

This helps PUMA shave off some weight while contributing to the featherweight build we mentioned earlier.

The insole is 4.4 mm thick, which is very close to what we find in most running shoes, except for racing shoes, which typically use thinner insoles.

Taking out and replacing the insole is really straightforward, and it takes 30 seconds at most.

PUMA covered the upper stitching at the heel with two wide reflective strips, and we think it's a win-win for everyone. They improve visibility for us runners while giving the shoe a more polished look.

PUMA didn't reinvent the wheel with the lacing system, using punched eyelets and flat laces, plus an extra optional eyelet positioned at a good distance for an ankle-lock setup if desired.

The tongue also reflects the overall vibe of the shoe. With just 3.3 mm of targeted padding instead of a long, thick layer, it prioritises low weight and performance over a plush step-in feel.

The tongue follows a similar design, with two small elastic straps connecting it to the midsole for a secure fit and zero tongue slippage. Well done, PUMA.

The heel tab hides a fun message, although we have to admit it's a bit of a copycat of the adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4. Still, we liked the idea, even if it isn't exactly original anymore.

Value is exactly what this shoe aims to nail, as it belongs to the new breed of affordable performance shoes pioneered by the adidas EVO SL. In this regard, we have no complaints at all, as the Deviate Pure Nitro fully earns its price tag.