The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro is Puma’s non-plated uptempo daily trainer, built around its Nitrofoam midsole and the excellent PUMAGRIP outsole. At €150 it lands in one of the most competitive segments on the market, going straight up against the Adidas Evo SL. I ran it back to back with the Evo SL at matched power, and it surprised me: I went in expecting the Adidas to be my clear favourite and came away leaning towards the Puma, mostly on comfort. Here is how it breaks down.
Upper and Fit of the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro
What works for me
The upper is the standout, and it is close to a 10 out of 10. The comfort is excellent, the foot feels properly hugged, and the lockdown through the midfoot and heel is dialled in. The heel collar comfort is a step above what you get at this price, and the whole thing feels refined. There is also usable width here: anyone with a wider forefoot will appreciate how accommodating the toe box is, and the upper is breathable too. For a daily and tempo shoe, this is about as good as the upper gets without pushing the price up.
What doesn’t work for me
Honestly, very little. The fit is on the generous side lengthwise, so if you are between sizes keep that in mind. Beyond that, this is the part of the shoe I have the fewest complaints about. It addresses pretty much everything that holds back some rivals in this category.
Midsole and Ride of the Deviate Pure Nitro
What works for me
The Deviate Pure Nitro runs on Nitrofoam, and it feels soft with plenty of give and genuine energy return. Compared to the Evo SL it felt livelier and bouncier underfoot, with more displacement and more rebound, all wrapped in a package that is not too aggressive. That makes it democratic and accessible: the 8mm drop lets you sit comfortably on your heel if you heel strike, which suits beginner runners and anyone using this for easy and tempo days rather than fast, forefoot-heavy efforts. It is a forgiving, enjoyable ride that eats up relaxed miles.
What doesn’t work for me
The geometry is where it gives something back. The forefoot rocker is gentle and arrives late, without the steep, sharp transition you get from the Evo SL. There is also a touch less foam in the forefoot, and the toe spring could have been more aggressive. The result is a shoe that does not push you into your next step the way a more rockered trainer does. If you want that snappy, propulsive feel when you lift the pace, the Deviate Pure Nitro is not built for it. It rewards smooth, steady running more than aggressive turnover.
Outsole of the Deviate Pure Nitro
Grip and Traction
This might be the best outsole in the business. If you asked me blindfolded to pick the best outsole in the industry right now, I would go Puma. The PUMAGRIP Continental-grade rubber is outstanding, and even on dry Brussels roads it did not disappoint. It gives you real confidence to run hard whatever the surface.
Durability
The outsole adds a little weight, but it looks built to last, which is what you want from a shoe doing daily and tempo duty. No concerns at this stage.
Conclusion
Value for Money
At €150, the Deviate Pure Nitro is great value. You get a near-perfect upper, a lively Nitrofoam ride and a class-leading outsole for the same price as the Adidas Evo SL. The one caveat is availability: because it just launched, you will find it harder to pick up discounted than the Evo SL, which is heavily reduced at the moment. If you are shopping purely on price-per-discount, that matters. On straight value at full price, this is a strong buy.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
The Deviate Pure Nitro is an uptempo daily trainer that leans comfort and versatility. It is best for easy and daily miles, tempo runs at moderate paces and anyone who wants a forgiving, accommodating ride. It suits beginners through to more experienced runners who do not need an aggressive rocker. Slot it in as your everyday workhorse alongside a dedicated race shoe and, if you want something snappier for speed work, a more propulsive tempo option.
Final Verdict
The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro surprised me. I expected to prefer the Evo SL and instead came away leaning towards the Puma, almost entirely because of the comfort. The upper is excellent, the Nitrofoam ride is soft and lively, and the PUMAGRIP outsole is as good as it gets. The gentle, late rocker means it is not the shoe for aggressive, fast forefoot running, but as a comfortable, versatile daily and tempo trainer at €150, it is a genuinely good shoe. It is one I am keeping for my own training, which for me is the clearest sign a shoe is worth it.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
Puma Deviate Pure Nitro vs Adidas Evo SL
These two are the obvious head to head: same €150 price, similar specs, and both non-plated uptempo trainers. On the numbers they are nearly identical, with the Evo SL carrying 2mm more forefoot stack and the Puma running a higher 8mm drop versus the Evo SL’s 6mm.
The upper is a clear win for the Deviate Pure Nitro. The Evo SL’s first-generation upper is good but not perfect, with a tongue that runs a bit short, a narrower fit and midfoot and heel lockdown that is not quite dialled. The Puma fixes all of that: better comfort, better lockdown, more width and better breathability. Adidas has since addressed this with a newer woven version of the Evo SL, which I have not tested, but the widely available original is what most people are still buying.
The ride is where they split by purpose. The Evo SL has a more aggressive, steeply rockered geometry that works your midfoot and forefoot and gives a sharp push to the next step, so it is the better pick for faster running. The Deviate Pure Nitro is more democratic, with a softer, bouncier foam, a gentler rocker and a higher drop that make it more accessible for beginners and relaxed tempo work.
I ran both at matched power around the same loop, and the pace came out identical, 282 watts and 4:16 per kilometre for each. The differences were in the detail: the Evo SL returned slightly more leg spring stiffness, while the Deviate Pure Nitro showed lower form power, lower vertical oscillation and a lower impact loading rate, likely helped by its fresh foam. My recommendation: faster, more advanced runners with a natural midfoot or forefoot strike will prefer the Evo SL, while runners who want more comfort, more width, a bit more stability or a gentler ride for easy and tempo days should go for the Deviate Pure Nitro.
Puma Deviate Pure Nitro Quick Questions
What is the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro best used for?
Easy and daily miles plus moderate tempo runs. It is a comfortable, versatile uptempo trainer rather than an aggressive speed shoe.
Does the Deviate Pure Nitro have a plate?
No. It is non-plated, running purely on Puma’s Nitrofoam midsole, which is part of why it is light and forgiving.
How does the Deviate Pure Nitro compare to the Adidas Evo SL?
Same €150 price and similar specs. The Puma has the better, more comfortable, wider upper. The Evo SL has a more aggressive rocker that suits faster running.
Is the Deviate Pure Nitro good for beginners?
Yes. The soft foam, 8mm drop and forgiving ride make it accessible for beginner runners, not just experienced ones.
Does the Deviate Pure Nitro fit true to size?
It runs slightly long, so if you are between sizes, bear that in mind when ordering.
Is the Deviate Pure Nitro good for wider feet?
Yes. The toe box is accommodating and the upper is one of the more generous in this category.
How good is the Deviate Pure Nitro outsole?
Excellent. The PUMAGRIP rubber is arguably the best outsole in the industry, with outstanding grip in dry and wet conditions.
Is the Deviate Pure Nitro worth €150?
Yes. For a near-perfect upper, a lively Nitrofoam ride and a class-leading outsole, it is strong value. That said it is harder to find discounted than the Evo SL right now.
