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The Puma Deviate Nitro 4 is a plated training shoe that’s designed to do it all, with a mix of responsive foams in the midsole that create a comfortable ride on easy runs, but have enough spark for faster efforts too.
We found it to be an improvement on the Puma Deviate Nitro 3, and in general the Deviate Nitro 4 is a shoe that does live up to its billing as a versatile daily trainer. However, it’s competing in a category that contains several of the best running shoes on the market, like the Adidas Adizero Evo SL, Asics Megablast and Saucony Endorphin Speed 5, and we’re not sure the Deviate Nitro 4 does enough to stand out against such illustrious competition.
Design & Key Stats
- Price: £150/$170/€180
- Weight: 245g/8.6oz(men’s UK 8.5 / US 9.5)
- Drop: 8mm
- Stack: 38mm heel, 30mm forefoot
- Upper: Lightweight mesh upper
- Midsole: Dual-density Nitro foam – PEBA top layer and PEBA-blend bottom layer
- Outsole: PumaGrip on forefoot and heel
Puma Deviate Nitro 4 review
How’s The Fit
Nick, Tom and Kieran tested the Puma Deviate Nitro 4 for our review and generally found that it fit well in their normal running shoe size. Nick is often between two sizes, and went for the smaller one in the Deviate Nitro Elite 4 and had a good fit around his toes, so if you’re also between sizes, the smaller one might well be the better bet.
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The Run Test: Likes
The Puma Deviate Nitro 4 is lighter and nimbler shoe than the Deviate Nitro 3, and feels a lot better at faster paces than its predecessor. The mix of foams in its midsole, combined with the carbon plate, creates an energetic toe-off during progression or tempo runs. It’s not the match of a full carbon racer, but the Deviate Nitro 4 can handle your fast training runs well.
At the other end of the scale, it’s also comfortable enough for easy runs, even though it’s not as maxed-out on cushioning as many shoes these days. There’s just enough protection underfoot for long, relaxed runs, and the transition isn’t too aggressively rockered so you don’t feel like the Deviate Nitro 4 is pushing you to move faster when you don’t want to.
As is almost always the case with Puma shoes, the grip is good as well, something Nick tested by running a progression run in a brief snowy spell in the UK. At both easy and fast paces, on light trails and roads, the Deviate Nitro 4 gripped well in wet and slushy conditions.
Overall the Deviate Nitro 4 proved to be an accomplished all-rounder in our testing, with a fairly natural ride, reliable grip, and a versatile ride feel.
The Run Test: Dislikes
Puma doesn’t tend to go for exaggerated rockers or very soft, max-cushioned designs with its training shoes, which has its benefits in creating quite natural-feeling shoes that are reasonably stable, but it does mean the Deviate Nitro 4 doesn’t feel as exciting as some competitors.
The Adidas Evo SL has a springier ride feel, the Asics Megablast is more cushioned and more responsive, and the Hoka Mach X3 is more rockered and bouncy. There’s a lot of great shoes in this category, is what we’re saying, and many have a ride that stands out a little more.
Kieran also found the Deviate Nitro 4 lacked a bit of speed in its transition from heel to toe, perhaps because it isn’t the most rockered shoe, and while it is pretty comfortable, you will get more protection from other equally light and versatile shoes.
Verdict And Alternatives
The Puma Deviate Nitro 4 is a strong all-rounder that does its job within the Puma line-up, being more versatile and speedy than shoes like the Puma Velocity Nitro 4, and more accommodating for everyday running than racers like the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4.
If you pick it up, it will get the job done, and if you loved the first or second version of the shoe, this is a return to form after the mildly disappointing Deviate Nitro 3.
For us, however, the competition is too fierce and there are a few shoes we rate more highly as speed-leaning all-rounders. The Adidas Evo SL is one, and it’s cheaper, and the Saucony Endorphin Azura is also cheaper while being more cushioned and rockered than the Deviate Nitro 4.
If you don’t mind splashing the cash, the Asics Megablast is the top all-rounder on the market for us, and the Hoka Mach X3 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 also just edge the Deviate Nitro 4 in our opinion, if you’re looking for a plated trainer.