PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 4: Review After 200 km

The Deviate Elite 3 left a very strong impression on me. It’s the shoe I wore when I ran my marathon PB in Valencia in 2:35. A lightweight, fast shoe with a huge amount of energy return underfoot. Maybe not the best supershoe on paper, but good enough to completely win me over in 2024. Two years later, when PUMA announced a fourth version that was lighter, equipped with the same A-TPU foam as the Fast-R 3 and featuring a slightly less aggressive carbon plate than the v3, I was obviously curious… If it’s not broken don’t fix it, right? After more than 200 kilometers in the shoe, several fast workouts and most importantly a 2:38 marathon at the London Marathon, I’m starting to have a very clear idea of what PUMA tried to achieve here. And once again, I genuinely think they succeeded. This Deviate Elite 4 is lightweight, dynamic and above all… accessible for many runners. Unlike a lot of supershoes, including its cousin the Fast-R 3, it almost disappears during the effort thanks to its ultra-light weight (170 grams) and its natural rolling transition underfoot.

| Testing Conditions

➜ Clément : Experienced runner currently deep into marathon training, I ran more than 200 kilometers in the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4, mainly on the road. I used it for several threshold workouts, marathon-specific long runs, tempo sessions, some faster workouts and most importantly during the London Marathon, which I completed in 2:38. The goal was simple: see whether this new Deviate Elite could become more than just a race-day shoe. A pair capable of handling fast sessions, big marathon blocks and race day itself.

| Fit and Comfort

As soon as you pick it up, the first thing that surprises you is obviously the weight. It almost feels like something is missing. This is a true featherweight shoe. And once on foot, that feeling only becomes more obvious. The Ultraweave upper is extremely thin, highly breathable and very performance-oriented. Clearly, this is not a shoe trying to deliver that soft slipper-like feel you get from cushioned daily trainers.

And yet, comfort-wise, I was pleasantly surprised. Not necessarily because it’s “comfortable” in the traditional sense. But more because the shoe completely disappears while running. And honestly, that’s probably the best compliment you can give a racing shoe. During workouts, I genuinely felt at one with the shoe. I never had to think about my stride or stop to adjust the laces mid-run. No pressure points, even on long runs. The laces hold perfectly and the tongue — almost as thin as a sheet of paper — wraps the foot extremely well.

During my marathon in London, I could simply focus on the effort without ever having that annoying little thought: “something feels weird under my foot…” With some supershoes, you constantly feel something going on, and sometimes that can become distracting during a race.

As for sizing, I went with my usual running shoe size and had absolutely no issues.

| Performance

This is probably where the Deviate Elite 4 scores the most points. As usual, PUMA uses its famous Nitro foam. Here, it’s the Elite version made with A-TPU, similar to what’s found in the Fast-R 3. On paper, it may sound like just another technical detail. But on the road, you really feel it. The shoe has become lighter. The bounce is very noticeable. The energy return too. But without becoming excessive. And I honestly think that was intentional. The Deviate Elite 3 was highly capable, but it never fully broke through with the mainstream audience. The ride felt a bit firmer and more aggressive. The Deviate Elite 4 feels more discreet, more accessible, slightly softer underfoot and more versatile across all distances.

The carbon plate is still there, but it feels slightly less curved than on the previous version. The transition remains natural and, above all, much less aggressive. I absolutely loved the Deviate Elite 3, but it could sometimes feel like the shoe was constantly trying to push you forward. Here, the shoe feels more supportive than forceful. With its geometry and relatively mellow rocker, this Deviate Elite 4 seems built for a wide range of runners. Heel strikers and midfoot strikers looking for a fast, dynamic ride will probably love this shoe. It delivers a combination of confidence and speed.

And that’s precisely why I chose this pair for London. In the marathon, we all know that the real difficulty starts after 30 kilometers. The legs get heavy, the stride becomes less efficient. Footstrike changes. Sometimes you start landing more on the heel, your mechanics fall apart slightly. I knew the Fast-R 3 would probably be too aggressive for me. With its unique geometry, it clearly wants to feel spectacular. The moment you run in it, you immediately feel that the shoe wants to throw you forward and make you run fast. But the downside is that it’s extremely demanding muscularly, especially on the calves. And with almost no cushioning under the heel, I wasn’t fully confident about taking it over 42 kilometers.

I wanted something more stable and more conventional underfoot. And honestly, I absolutely do not regret choosing the Deviate Elite 4. Even with fatigue late in the race, I always felt like I had enough cushioning underfoot. My stride stayed relatively clean and I never completely fell apart during the race.

| Stability

Obviously, we’re not talking about a stable shoe in the traditional sense. This isn’t a Kayano. It’s still a supershoe with 40 mm of ultra-dynamic foam underfoot and a carbon plate. But PUMA found a very interesting balance here.

The platform feels reassuring, the heel slightly supported, the transition more natural. I genuinely believe many runners will actually be faster in this shoe than in theoretically more “aggressive” supershoes. Because in the marathon, running fast isn’t only about energy return. It’s also about your ability to stay mechanically efficient for a long time. And this Deviate Elite 4 answers that need perfectly. Even if you completely hit the wall and your pace collapses, the cushioning and geometry help limit the damage.

© MARATHONS

© MARATHONS

© MARATHONS

© MARATHONS

© MARATHONS

© MARATHONS

© MARATHONS

| Durability

I’ve now gone beyond 250 kilometers with this pair. A shoe this light rarely inspires confidence when it comes to durability. But so far, it’s been a very pleasant surprise. The PUMAGRIP outsole holds up really well, and my midfoot strike matches perfectly with the protected zones underneath the shoe. That’s also where the German brand managed to reduce weight. PUMA developed a PUMAGRIP outsole using the absolute minimum amount of material needed to protect the foam. Honestly, it works. No slipping sensations and enough protection exactly where needed. Performance-wise, after 250 kilometers, the shoe hasn’t lost its dynamism. I still get great sensations during workouts.

And that becomes a huge strength. The Deviate Elite 4 almost plays two roles at once. I can use it for fast workouts, tempos, marathon-specific long runs and multiple major races. It’s one of the most versatile supershoes on the market because it still feels comfortable even at slower paces. Long warm-ups are absolutely not a problem in this shoe.

| Breathability

The upper is very breathable and comfortable. Yes, this is not a daily trainer. No slipper-like feel here. But I experienced zero friction or rubbing during these 250 kilometers. No blisters either. PUMA uses its Ultraweave technology here, an ultra-light mesh designed exclusively for its racing lineup.

| Weight

At 170 grams for men and 140 grams for women, this is one of the lightest carbon shoes on the market. That’s clearly one of the model’s biggest strengths. The featherweight feeling is genuinely impressive and the shoe quickly disappears on foot. From a performance standpoint, we know that shoe weight is crucial. Thirty grams lighter than the v3 — well done PUMA.

| Comparison With the Competition

Within PUMA’s lineup, the most logical comparison is obviously the Fast-R 3. The Fast-R is more spectacular. More aggressive. More radical. The Deviate Elite 4 is more accessible, easier to adapt to and just as dynamic. Its geometry is simply more traditional. Compared to a Vaporfly 4, it feels slightly more protective and versatile. And compared to its predecessor, the Deviate Elite 3, this is a genuine step forward. It improves exactly where it matters in the supershoe segment: weight, stability and dynamism.

| Value for Money

€250 is still a lot of money. Let’s be honest. But today, almost all premium supershoes sit in that price range. And if I focus purely on what this shoe delivers — featherweight build, A-TPU foam, versatility and durability that seems better than many competitors — the package feels pretty coherent. Especially if you’re the kind of runner who wants a single shoe for both workouts and races.

| Who Is It For?

✔ Runners looking for a reassuring supershoe
✔ Those wanting one shoe for fast training and racing (from 5K to marathon)
✔ Heel and midfoot strikers
✔ Athletes who dislike overly extreme supershoes

| Final Verdict on the PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 4

I ran my marathon PB in the Deviate Elite 3 two years ago. This year in London, I tried getting close to it again with the Deviate Elite 4 — but I needed a bit more on the day. In the end, a 2:38:07 marathon still makes me very proud of the effort and execution. And honestly, I had an incredible time racing in this shoe. That’s ultimately what matters most.

In a way, that perfectly sums up the evolution of the model. PUMA didn’t try to create the craziest shoe on the market. They created a supershoe that makes you want to run fast without ever feeling like it forces something onto you. And that’s probably what surprised me the most. A shoe that disappears once the race begins. It’s dynamic, ultra-light, breathable — everything you want from a racing shoe.

Pros :
✔ Featherweight feel
✔ Extremely dynamic Nitro Elite A-TPU foam
✔ Reassuring platform
✔ Training/racing versatility
✔ Completely disappears during the effort

Cons :
X Slight lack of aggressiveness (rocker a bit too flat)
X Price increase to €250 (the v3 was €230)

Score: 9.4/10

I expected a simple lighter update of the previous version, but PUMA did much more than that. The brand managed to keep what worked in the previous version while creating a fast, lightweight and efficient supershoe without going overboard. The Deviate Elite 4 is probably not the most spectacular or radical supershoe on the market — but that’s exactly its strength. When it comes to geometry, foam and ride feel, it’s probably one of the most accessible supershoes available today. You put it on without overthinking it, and it simply makes you want to run fast. Exactly what we expect from a shoe designed for race day.

✔ Find the PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite 4 on the official puma.com website for €250.

Clément LABORIEUX
Journalist