Just like in all other industries, there are trends and hype in running. Puma is solidly positioned in both concepts in 2026. Recent years have seen a steep upward curve in the quality of their shoes, and with the two shoes we're discussing today, I – without giving stock advice – wouldn't sleep on Puma.
As you might have already caught on, you're in for two shoe reviews today: the versatile master Puma Deviate Nitro 4 and the fastest Puma on the savannah (at least of the two mentioned), Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4. Puma also has an alternative to the Elite 4, called Puma Fast-R 3, but we'll save that for another day.
Before we dive into the two shoes, let's get an overview of what we're dealing with:
Puma Deviate Nitro 4
- Type: Versatile mileage training
- Weight: 250 g (US 9)
- Midsole: Nitro, dual-layer PEBA & PEBA blend
- Drop: 38 mm – 30 mm – 8 mm drop
- Upper: Engineered mesh
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4
- Type: Race, intervals
- Weight: 166 g (US 9)
- Midsole: Nitro Elite aliphatic TPU
- Drop: 40 mm – 32 mm – 8 mm drop
- Upper: Lightweight engineered mesh
Puma is actually here, there, and everywhere. Does the name Usain Bolt ring a bell? Puma. Karsten Warholm? That crazy Norwegian who has dominated the 400 m hurdles in recent years. Puma. Maybe you also saw when the poor German runner Amanal Petros had to watch his first place at the World Championships in marathon slip away in the last meters. Puma. I could continue in this vein, but you've probably got the point. So let's get back to what it's all about: running shoes.
We start with Puma Deviate Nitro 4.
Puma Deviate Nitro 4
Puma Deviate Nitro 4 has landed in red waters. We're talking about supertrainer waters. It's no joke around here, it's the new thing. I'll start by highlighting the low weight for a shoe in this category: 250 g in a US 9. That's really nice.
For those 250 grams, you get a midsole with 38 mm in the heel and 30 mm in the forefoot, consisting of two different Nitro foam types. Deviate Nitro 4 also has a carbon composite plate in the midsole. This means it's not quite as aggressive a plate as the one you find in Deviate Nitro Elite 4. It creates a similar effect to when some brands use a nylon plate as an alternative. You still get that extra bit of energy return, but not to the same extent.
The two different midsole materials are, of course, not random. On top, you have the soft, pure PEBA foam, while at the bottom of the shoe, there's a layer of a PEBA blend offering the necessary stability. You can see the two different materials in the colors of the shoe. A nice little detail.
Regarding the midsole's stiffness and the foam's softness, Deviate Nitro 4 places itself right in the middle. Again from the perspective that it's a supertrainer. A clear upgrade from the previous model, which was noted for being slightly stiffer overall.
The upper is comfortable with a tendency to lean towards the simpler side. Puma has cut where it can be cut, yet with an eye to offering a bit more comfort compared to Deviate Nitro Elite 4. I found the fit relatively wide, especially in the forefoot.
The outsole is the notoriously good PumaGrip material. Is it the best on the market? Many think so. It's certainly very good. In this case, it means the shoe becomes extra usable, and we can only be happy about that.
This leaves us with a running shoe that is very all-round. Is it boring? Maybe. Is it useful? Highly. There are quite a few scenarios where a Deviate Nitro 4 is relevant. Here's a small selection of the times I would reach for a Deviate Nitro 4:
- I have fresh legs and just want to go for a run.
- I'm going on vacation and only want to bring one pair.
- I need to run both on the road and in the forest.
- I might pick up the pace on my jog.
- I need to run long and want a shoe that both protects me and gives me a little edge.
Here I could continue again, but let's keep it to five.
Now to Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4.
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4
You should know, it's been a struggle. I've really had to restrain myself from using Puma analogies with dangerous, fast animals and such. There was one at the start, it was unavoidable.
Let's be honest: Deviate Nitro Elite hasn't been quite among the top of the fastest shoes on the market until now. But everything is just clicking for Puma at the moment. It was the thing with the stocks I mentioned at the start.
I'll state right away: Deviate Nitro Elite 4 is right up there. I mean right up there, where it can get a bit cold.
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4 jumps down from the 11th floor and lands on all fours with an updated ATPU Nitro Foam midsole (oh no, here we go…). It's the same material you find in Fast-R 3. It's one of those updates you really feel. You're not in doubt that Puma has tried to push the boundaries.
The shoe has also become lighter, which I noticed the second I took it out of the box. Nitro Foam has a somewhat subtle softness, where it's the energy return that plays the main role.
In the midsole, you'll naturally find a PWRPLATE in pure carbon. Not unique for race shoes, but I mention it anyway.
This version of Nitro Foam has what I would call a very democratic expression. It's not extreme in any direction and will therefore be a very sensible choice for the runner with mild stability needs. It's also here that it stands out from Fast-R 3. Deviate Nitro Elite 4 is a slightly safer choice in terms of the demands it places on your hardworking runner's body.
The upper is made of the paper-thin UltraWeave material, which in this case is not just a figure of speech. It is literally paper-thin. I find the fit very similar to that in Deviate Nitro 4, meaning a bit on the wider side, primarily in the forefoot.
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4 is set in the world with a good chunk of PumaGrip underfoot, which as previously mentioned is an excellent material. Yes, it can in many ways remind a bit of a set of claws… no, wait. It's gotten out of hand.
Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4 doesn't need five good suggestions for when to use it. There can be no doubt.
It's for when you want to run your next PR.
