Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe review – verdict, price, comparison, who it is for

Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe upper

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe upper is made from a thin engineered mesh with different densities and thicknesses across different areas, making it stronger where support is needed and thin and breathable elsewhere. The upper material is soft and gradually conforms to the foot over time, while remaining durable and long-lasting. Ventilation is excellent thanks to the thinner sections, allowing plenty of airflow even in hot summer weather. The upper sits halfway between comfort-oriented and performance-focused: it is padded without being heavy, and provides good foot lockdown even through corners.

The Deviate Pure Nitro fits true to size in length, but its width is typical of Puma: narrow. The toe box tapers toward the front, narrowing especially around the little toe, the midfoot wraps the foot closely, and the heel is also narrower than average. There is no wide version, so the shoe is only suitable for runners with narrow or average-width feet.

The tongue is thin, padded only in the critical areas, and gusseted on both sides, so it does not slide sideways while running. It is worth relacing the shoe and threading the tongue loop one eyelet higher, because the tongue tends to slide downward, although this is not bothersome even with the original lacing.

The lower two-thirds of the heel collar is moderately rigid, while the material above it is flexible, so it does not irritate the Achilles. The padding is moderately thick but just enough, and it holds the foot securely. The insole is removable, comfortable and moderately thick.

The midsole foam rises slightly over the upper around the midfoot, providing enough support to keep the foot stable even through corners.

Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe midsole

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe midsole is made entirely from a nitrogen-infused PEBA foam called Nitro. This foam differs from the Nitro foam used in the Puma Velocity, which is ATPU, and the Deviate Nitro 4 midsole is also called Nitro, but that one is a PEBA-EVA blend. Nitrogen is infused into this foam using a supercritical process, resulting in a durable, moderately soft foam. Unusually for PEBA foams, this one has a break-in period: after 60-80 km it becomes softer and loses some of its firmness. The midsole is balanced and versatile, with no carbon plate, so it is not overly stiff and its torsional rigidity is not too high. It is soft without feeling mushy and rebounds quickly, but it is not as bouncy or lively as its competitors, partly because the midsole is not excessively high. It is not particularly wide either, which makes the shoe agile and lightweight. Despite the narrow midsole, stability is not bad, partly because the stack is not high and partly because the midsole is not overly soft. Thanks to the longitudinal cutout, the two sides of the heel can move independently, which also contributes to a more stable feel. The midsole is rockered, but not aggressively. Transitions are pleasant and smooth, without feeling nervously fast.

Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe outsole

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe outsole is made from a single material, Puma’s well-known PumaGrip rubber, a moderately soft and moderately flexible rubber compound. The outsole is moderately thick and the tread is shallow, so it is not suitable for trail running at all, but on asphalt and running tracks this pattern is more than sufficient for good grip. Considering the shoe’s weight, the outsole covers a surprisingly large area of the midsole: it almost completely covers the forefoot, while the heel has two long, symmetrical rubber strips on the lateral and medial sides. The midfoot is exposed, which saves weight and allows the midsole to remain more flexible. Grip is excellent on dry asphalt and not bad on wet surfaces either, although it is not perfect, as is the case with most running shoes. Durability depends on two factors: outsole thickness and abrasion resistance. Abrasion resistance is excellent, while thickness is slightly below average, so overall the outsole is durable.

What is it like to run in the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe?

Cushioning and midsole

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe midsole is not excessively high, measuring 38 mm at the heel. Cushioning is good: for advanced runners it can be a good choice up to marathon distance, while for less experienced runners it is suitable up to half-marathon distance. The midsole is balanced, neither too soft nor hard, flexible and dynamic, yet it does not feel stiff even at low intensity.

Stability and guidance

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe midsole has no dedicated support elements, but because it is not high and not overly soft, stability is good. It has an 8 mm drop, which works well for both heel strikers and forefoot strikers. The midsole is rockered at both the forefoot and heel, but not aggressively, resulting in smooth and pleasantly quick transitions.

Upper and comfort

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe upper varies in thickness. It is thicker where foot support matters more and thinner where less support is needed, improving ventilation. It is moderately padded, sufficiently comfortable, yet lightweight.

Ground contact and grip

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe outsole covers a large area of the midsole, with good coverage at both the heel and forefoot. The outsole is made from a moderately firm rubber, the tread is not very deep, but grip is good.

Pace and responsiveness

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe is suitable for almost every pace. Thanks to its narrower platform, low weight and dynamic midsole, you can pick up the pace in it, but because it is not rigid and has no plate, it does not feel overly stiff at low intensity either.

Long runs vs tempo vs training

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe is highly versatile. It is suitable for longer runs as well as short, fast workouts. It has a narrow build, low weight and dynamic foam, but also offers good stability and cushioning, making it suitable for lower-intensity, slower runs as well.

Who is the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe for – and who is it not for?

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe is primarily recommended for runners who want a shoe they can use for faster workouts but that does not feel too stiff at slower paces. It is also a good choice for interval workouts. It is a good choice for summer or indoor treadmill runs because it has good breathability.

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe is not recommended if you are looking for a highly cushioned, maximally comfortable running shoe for long or even ultra distances. It is fast, but it is not a racing shoe, so if you want to run a marathon or half marathon faster than 4:30 min/km, there are better carbon-plated options.

Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe alternatives – comparison

It is useful to position the Deviate Pure Nitro within the Puma range. Puma has three similar running shoes: the Deviate Nitro 4, Velocity Nitro 4 and Magnify Nitro 3. All three use Nitro midsoles, meaning their midsoles are made using nitrogen infusion, but the foam materials differ.

Is there a difference between the men’s and women’s Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoes?

The women’s Puma Deviate Pure Nitro running shoe has the same construction and structure as the men’s version. The official weight is higher for the men’s version, but this may also be because the official figures are given in EU 37.5 for the women’s version and EU 42 for the men’s version.