When Puma launched the Deviate Pure Nitro, I thought it might be the answer to a problem I've been trying to solve for months: finding a shoe that could handle my faster training without relying on a carbon plate. After testing it across tempo runs, steady efforts and track intervals, here’s my honest, unsponsored review.

Meet the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro

Superfoam without a plate: what makes this shoe different?

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro is a lightweight, non-plated performance trainer designed for runners who want a versatile shoe for everyday training, tempo sessions and faster long runs.

Unlike the plated Puma Deviate Nitro 4, the Pure strips things back. There is no carbon plate and no PWRPLATE. Instead, Puma relies entirely on its latest NITROFOAM midsole to create a smooth, energetic ride.

The idea is simple: speed without the stiffness.

For runners who find carbon shoes overly aggressive for daily training, the Deviate Pure Nitro aims to offes a more natural-feeling alternative while still delivering the benefits of modern superfoam.

The specs you actually need to know

The headline feature is the midsole. Puma uses a full slab of nitrogen-infused PEBA NITROFOAM, making this one of the few non-plated trainers on the market built entirely around premium race-shoe-grade foam.

Weight:

Approximately 220g (7.76 oz) in a men's UK 8 / US 9
Around 30g lighter than the plated Deviate Nitro 4

The low weight is immediately noticeable on foot and is one of the shoe's biggest strengths.

Stack Height and Drop

Heel stack: 38mm
Forefoot stack: 30mm
Drop: 8mm

Upper:

The engineered mesh upper is lightweight and highly breathable. Puma has paired it with a plush heel collar and a lightly padded tongue to improve comfort over longer runs.

Outsole:

The shoe uses Puma's excellent PUMAGRIP outsole, which continues to be one of the best rubber compounds available in running shoes. Grip is dependable across a variety of surfaces while maintaining good durability.

How much does the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro cost?

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro retails for £130 / $150. Considering the premium PEBA foam and overall package, it sits at a very competitive price point compared with many other performance trainers on the market.

My unsponsored Puma Deviate Pure Nitro Review

Check out this vlog for a video review:

What I Like

The Foam: The NITROFOAM is undoubtedly the star of the show. It delivers a cushioned, protective ride without feeling overly soft or unstable. On harder surfaces especially, I noticed that it absorbed impact well and helped keep my legs feeling fresher than expected.
The Tongue and Upper: Puma has done an excellent job with the upper. The tongue is incredibly thin and only padded where it needs to be, creating a comfortable lockdown without adding unnecessary bulk. Combined with the breathable engineered mesh, the shoe feels light and airy even during harder efforts.
True-to-Size Fit: The fit is spot on. I went with my usual size and had no issues whatsoever. The shoe feels secure through the midfoot while still offering enough room up front.
Spacious Toe Box: One thing I particularly appreciated was the amount of space in the toe box. It avoids the cramped feeling that some performance-focused shoes can have, making it comfortable for longer sessions and runners who prefer a little more room around the forefoot.
Value for Money: At around £130, the Deviate Pure Nitro offers a lot of performance for the money. You're getting a full PEBA superfoam setup at a price that undercuts many competitors, making it one of the better-value performance trainers currently available.

Tempo Runs: Where the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro really shines.

My first run in the Deviate Pure Nitro was a tempo workout, and it immediately felt at home. At that comfortably hard effort level, the shoe struck an excellent balance between cushioning, responsiveness and efficiency.

The ride felt smooth, controlled and enjoyable, making it easy to settle into tempo pace and hold it.

If your training includes regular threshold sessions, cruise intervals or marathon-pace work, this shoe deserves serious consideration.

A enjoyable ride at steady pace:

The other standout use case is steady running. I personally love a progression long run moving through easy, steady and tempo pace, and for this type of runs, the Deviate Pure Nitro feels fantastic.

The lightweight build and PEBA cushioning work together to create a ride that is comfortable without feeling sluggish.

Faster Intervals: a bit flat?

This was the biggest surprise of the test.

Going in, I expected the shoe to perform well across the entire pace spectrum. Unfortunately, that wasn't my experience.

When I moved into shorter, faster intervals and genuine speed work, the shoe never quite came alive. The ride felt noticeably less explosive than what I am used to from plated trainers.

The biggest limitation for me is the lack of pop during faster efforts.

The foam is excellent, but without a plate I never felt the same snap through toe-off that I get from my preferred speed-session shoes.

I understand the appeal of a flexible, non-plated trainer, but for pure speed sessions I found myself working harder to generate pace.

Instead of feeling assisted by the shoe, I felt like I had to create that propulsion myself. For tempo efforts this wasn't an issue, but during shorter intervals it became increasingly noticeable.

As a result, I wouldn't personally choose the Deviate Pure Nitro for dedicated speed workouts or track sessions.

Final Thoughts

The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro is an excellent non-plated performance trainer that successfully fills a gap between traditional daily trainers and more aggressive carbon-plated shoes.

For me, it performs best during steady runs, tempo sessions, progression runs and faster long runs. The lightweight build, premium PEBA foam, comfortable upper and attractive price point make it a genuinely compelling option.

Where it falls short is top-end speed. If your primary focus is shorter intervals, track work or all-out sessions, you may find yourself wanting more propulsion and more pop.

Who Should Buy the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro?

Buy it if you want:

A lightweight non-plated trainer
A dedicated tempo shoe
A versatile option for steady runs and faster long runs
Premium PEBA foam without paying premium super-trainer prices

Where It Fits in My Rotation

The Deviate Pure Nitro won't replace my speed-session shoes, but it has earned a place in my rotation as a tempo and steady-day specialist.

For those types of runs, it's genuinely brilliant.

At £130, it's also one of the strongest value propositions in performance running shoes right now. If you're looking for a versatile non-plated trainer with premium foam and a natural ride, the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro is well worth considering