Puma Deviate Pure Nitro

Blake

The Deviate Pure Nitro is lightweight, comfortable, and feels more stable than I expected for a shoe built around PEBA-based Nitro foam. At easy paces, it feels smooth and controlled, but once you start picking up the pace, the foam really comes alive with a responsive, energetic ride.

The versatility impressed me the most. It naturally encourages faster running while still feeling comfortable enough for everyday miles. The ride strikes a great balance between cushioning, stability, and responsiveness, making it a shoe that can handle a wide variety of runs.

The PUMAGRIP outsole continues to be one of the best on the market, delivering excellent traction and durability in a variety of conditions.

Eric

The midsole was the biggest surprise for me. While I was initially disappointed to see Puma move to a PEBA-based foam instead of the ATPU foam they've used in previous models, the ride quickly won me over.

The Deviate Pure Nitro delivers a comfortable, stable ride with a slightly firmer feel that strikes a nice balance between cushioning and performance. It isn't an overly soft shoe, but it has enough pop to make everyday miles feel smooth and enjoyable.

Then there's the outsole. PUMAGRIP continues to be one of the best outsoles on the market. Whether you're running on dry roads, wet pavement, or light gravel, traction simply isn't something you'll have to think about.

Emily

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro fills the gap in Puma's lineup when it comes to lightweight daily trainers. Not only does this shoe look amazing, but it provides runners with a versatile option. The Pure can go from slow, to fast, back to slow again without skipping a beat.

The Nitro foam in this shoe is on the firmer side, but the ride doesn't feel harsh. I actually felt like it was making me go faster on days when I wanted to take it easy.

I had no issues with the upper, and as for the outsole...yeah, PUMAGRIP is some of the best material money can buy.

Blake

I only have a few minor complaints.

The first is the tongue. It slid down slightly during my runs. It never caused discomfort or lace bite, but if you're someone who is sensitive to tongue movement, it's something to be aware of.

My other two complaints involve the midsole. Like a few other Puma Nitro shoes I've tested, this one required a short break-in period. After a few runs, the foam softened up and felt much better at easier paces. Out of the box, though, it definitely preferred running faster.

Lastly, I found myself wishing for a slightly more aggressive rocker. It's not a flaw, but I think adding a little more rocker geometry would make the shoe transition even quicker and improve its performance during speed workouts.

Eric

The only real knock I have is the upper.

Calling it "bad" almost feels unfair because it fits well and provides a secure lockdown, but it runs warmer than I expected. Since this shoe is built as a daily trainer, I think Puma could have improved the experience with a more breathable upper.

It's not a deal breaker, but on hot summer runs, it's definitely something I noticed.

Emily

Despite the fact that I liked the midsole, I do have some bones to pick with it.

For starters, I wish the foam was just a touch softer. A little goes a long way. Maybe it's a matter of changing this from an 8 mm drop to a 6 mm drop just to get a little more under the forefoot.

This shoe could also really use a rocker. When comparing the Pure to other shoes in its category, like the adidas EVO SL, it's lacking a bit of a roll through the toe that rocker technology could fix.

Blake

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro is a lightweight, versatile trainer that doesn't sacrifice comfort or stability during easy runs, yet still feels fast and energetic when it's time to pick up the pace.

If you're looking for one shoe that can handle a little bit of everything, this is a strong option. It's durable, versatile, and capable of replacing multiple shoes in your rotation—especially if you're working within a budget.

Eric

Overall, I think the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro is a really good daily trainer.

If you're expecting a super trainer, you'll probably come away disappointed because that's simply not what this shoe is trying to be. Instead, it focuses on being a stable, versatile option for logging everyday miles.

If you like a slightly firmer ride with dependable traction and enough responsiveness to keep things interesting, the Deviate Pure Nitro is absolutely worth a look.

Emily

Overall, I think the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro is a really solid shoe.

We're starting to see a new category of shoes emerge that blends aesthetics, functionality, and "affordability"—at $150, it's one of the more sensible options these days—all into one. The Pure and the EVO SL are at the forefront of that category.

If you're looking for something that looks fresh on foot and can also bust out a solid 10-miler with some pickups, this is your shoe.

Blake

Absolutely.

At $150, I think the Deviate Pure Nitro offers excellent value. You're getting a lightweight trainer with a premium PEBA-based midsole, outstanding traction, and the versatility to handle everything from daily miles to uptempo efforts without paying premium super trainer prices.

If you're looking for one shoe that can do almost everything, the Deviate Pure Nitro is one of the better values currently on the market.

Eric

For the most part, yes.

There are certainly shoes on the market with more premium foams, which gives me a little pause, but within its category, I think Puma priced this shoe fairly.

At the end of the day, if you want a dependable daily trainer that balances comfort, stability, and versatility, the Deviate Pure Nitro offers solid value for the money.

Emily

$150 is a darn good price for a running shoe these days.

Yes. It's definitely worth the money for the versatility it provides.