Puma Deviate Nitro 4 Review: Built for the Everyday Runner Who is Serious about Getting Faster
I’ve always had a soft spot for Puma’s Deviate Nitro. I’m not the speediest runner in the pack, but this shoe has been such an asset through my running journey. Especially as I attempt to improve my 5km and 10km times in the hopes of shaving a minute or two off my HYROX times. For the last 18 months, the Deviate Nitro 3 was my go-to shoe for race day, tempo runs, and hybrid training sessions in the gym. Now that it’s time to test the latest version of this speedy shoe, I am so looking forward to seeing what Puma has cooked up this time around.
While running snobs scoff at average Josephine runners who dare to lace up carbon-plated shoes for the most mid 5km run Strava has ever seen, Puma is championing the goals of everyday runners with the Deviate Nitro 4. The next generation speed shoe is accessible to anyone who is curious about giving a carbon plated running shoe a go.
So, while the pros chase podiums in the Puma Deviate Nitro 4 Elite, the Deviate Nitro 4 is doing the most to help the everyday runner who is serious about getting faster. There’s no getting around it, speed work in this shoe is pure joy. On days when my legs are feeling heavy and I’m not convinced I have it in me to hit my interval training paces, the Deviate 4 gives me that little extra bounce in my step to put in the work.
I wasn’t sure there was room for improvement with the Deviate, but Puma found a way to make a great shoe even better with the Deviate Nitro 4. The first thing I noticed about the shoe is the upper. Slipping it on for the first time, it was clear I had more room in the toe box and an improved feeling of support and lock down. It’s a subtle change, but this time around the mesh upper feels snug without the possibility of that too-tight feeling as your feet start to swell on longer runs. The roomier fit means I get much better toe splay in this upper without feeling like my foot is sliding around in the shoe.
The mesh upper feels lightweight and offers great breathability. I’ve tested the shoe on a few tempo and interval runs, and I’ve had no experience with overheating, even on Cape Town’s hottest summer days. The improved fit goes even further with a plush collar and padded tongue to give your foot all-round protection. The heel cup is perfectly cushioned, with a hidden message to discover when you lift the heel tab: “Made you look”. This upper is soft where it matters, supportive where it counts, locking the foot in place, letting you focus on your run.
The Nitro 4 feels bouncier than its predecessor too, thanks to a few upgrades in the foam technology and its lightweight construction. The shoe’s speed comes from the Deviate Nitro 4’s evolved Nitrofoam midsole featuring a new dual-layer, nitrogen-infused foam that delivers elevated rebound for a more energetic stride. This upgraded foam technology is there to help give runners the speed they crave, without compromising on the comfort they know and love from the previous Deviate model.
With an 8mm drop and a 30MM/38MM stack height, the Deviate Nitro 4 is designed to give you the edge to achieve that PB. With that much foam underfoot, the Deviate Nitro 4 is technically considered a max cushion shoe, but don’t let the amount of cushioning fool you, this shoe is a high-performance “super trainer” designed for long runs and marathons where you’re goal is speed, not an easy trot.
Weighing in at just 205g (4.5 UK) the Deviates give you that ‘barely there’ feeling you crave on a speed run. The Deviate 4 feels more cushioned than its predecessor, yet still manages to come in almost 15g lighter than the previous Deviate.
The improved rebound feeling you get from these also has a lot to do with the re-engineered PwrPlate. This is thanks to the carbon composite PwrPlate that has been contoured to improve flexibility. You can definitely feel that the shoe is more flexible this time around, allowing for a more natural stride. While shoes with an actual carbon plated are more rigid, Puma’s PwrPlate offers a more comfortable and responsive feel.
Puma’s famous Pumagrip outsole has also been spruced up. The outsole is known for its ability to ensure traction across any surface, but in the new Deviate, you get more of it. The wider platform of the Deviate 4 ensures you get improved coverage this time around, making the shoe more accommodating for any footstrike pattern. The result is a more consistent, stable ride while maintaining the natural feel needed for up-tempo training runs and everyday kilometres.
The improved stability and wider contact surface of this shoe make all the difference for me with the Deviate Nitro 4. I have the confidence to really go all out in these without worrying about missteps or distractions. I’ve been logging a lot of kilometres in these while training for HYROX Cape Town coming up in April, yet with so much frequent wear, they felt great on my feet day after day. So much so, I look forward to slipping them on and getting out the door for a tempo run. From the first run, I had no blisters, no hot spots, and no heel slipping. You get great lockdown in these, and I didn’t have to use a heel lock when lacing up the shoes for runs.
If you’re after a shoe that will help you smash your goals on race day and give you the pep you need to hit those paces during your interval training runs, then the Deviate Nitro 4 would be a great pick for you.
The Deviate Nitro 4 launched in limited supply on 23 January, and will be followed by a global release on 26 February 2026. The shoe will be available to purchase on Puma.com, Puma retail stores, Totalsports, Sportsman’s Warehouse and Takealot at a recommended price of R3,999.
