PUMA Deviate Pure Nitro: a fast, plaque-free super trainer

PUMA arrives at just the right time with the Deviate Pure Nitro. Over the past two years, the “super trainer” category has boomed. These versatile shoes, capable of handling easy runs, long runs, tempo sessions or marathon pace, are taking up more and more space in runners’ rotations. Following the huge success of the adidas Evo SL, PUMA enters the fray with what looks like a smart proposition: a well-balanced shoe built around its now-mature Nitro technology and a Deviate franchise that has become impossible to overlook. On paper, it is a genuine Swiss Army knife.

A Deviate... without a carbon plate

At first glance, it is hard not to think of a classic Deviate Nitro. The silhouette is similar. The foam’s appearance echoes that of the Deviate Nitro Elite 4. There is also a generous stack, a fairly aggressive geometry without going overboard, and plenty of foam underfoot.

But there is one important difference: no carbon plate here. No PWRPLATE. And that choice is far from insignificant. Over the past few years, carbon plates have found their way into almost everything. Sometimes a little too much. Some shoes have become extremely fast, but also more demanding on the body. Stiffer. Less natural. These models are certainly not designed for everyday use.

The Deviate Pure seems to return to something a little simpler. Or rather, something more natural and more pure. The name was probably not chosen at random. No plate, no problem?

© PUMA

NITRO foam built for energy return

The heart of the project is clearly this new midsole. Here, we get a full slab of next-generation Nitro foam. At PUMA, Nitro has referred to several different foams over the years, but this time we are talking about nitrogen-infused PEBA. And naturally, when you hear PEBA, you immediately think of energy return, a lively ride and racing shoes.

The idea here seems different. PUMA is not trying to create a plate-free version of its Fast-R. There is no A-TPU foam here. Instead, the brand has tried to take the bouncy, lively feel we like in a racing shoe and make it more practical for everyday running. On paper, the specs are interesting, with a conventional drop but, above all, very low weight: 38 mm at the heel, 30 mm at the forefoot, an 8 mm drop and just 220 grams. For comparison, that is around 30 grams lighter than the Deviate Nitro 4.

The Deviate franchise has been our benchmark since PUMA returned to the road running market. With the Deviate Pure NITRO™, our ambition was to make speed more accessible while retaining the performance qualities that have made the Deviate range so successful with runners around the world. The result goes beyond a simple running shoe: it is a true natural-speed experience.

A shoe that can do it all

The Deviate Pure is the kind of shoe that works for easy runs as well as faster sessions. On top of that, its generous 38 mm stack and lively Nitro foam should make it a strong partner for long runs. In short, it covers a broad range of paces for one runner...

Without a carbon plate, the ride should also remain more natural and fluid. That is often what appeals about this new generation of super trainers: the feeling of running fast without the shoe forcing you into a different stride.

And that may be where it becomes genuinely interesting. It is not necessarily trying to be the fastest, most comfortable or lightest shoe. The Deviate Pure offers a lot of all three at once. It is a dependable model built for everyday running. From easy-run pace to workout pace, its versatility should win over plenty of fans.

PumaGrip: a safe bet that never disappoints

Some things are becoming certainties at PUMA. PumaGrip is one of them. Once again, there is generous rubber coverage under the shoe, with several reinforced areas at the heel and forefoot. As with the MagMax 2 and Deviate Nitro 4, it is hard to find much better traction on a road shoe.

Rain, corners, wet roads, winter... PumaGrip never disappoints. It grips well everywhere. And on a shoe meant to become an everyday partner, that is probably more important than it looks, even if runners often overlook it.

© PUMA

A more comfortable upper than a true performance shoe

Another piece of good news: PUMA has not tried to strip the shoe down at all costs. It remains under 220 grams without taking the minimalist approach sometimes seen on pure race-day models such as the Deviate Nitro Elite 4.

There is a generously padded collar, a few foam inserts around the tongue and a technical mesh that looks both breathable and reasonably soft on the inside. Another small detail we like: PUMA has hidden a few nice touches on the shoe. Under the outsole, a discreet “Let it Rip” appears. Under the rear tongue, there is a “Same Time Tomorrow.”

Technically, of course, none of this will take five seconds per kilometer off your pace. But these are the kind of fun little details we appreciate in a shoe.

© PUMA

✔ The PUMA Deviate Pure Nitro will be available from June 4, 2026, for €150 at puma.com.