Adidas Adizero Evo SL vs Puma Deviate Pure Nitro
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 5 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Pure Nitro comes across more as a daily trainer for easy/steady paces; Evo SL is more aggressive and has more top-end speed.
More snappy and energetic at faster paces with a more pronounced rocker; less stable and less comfortable on easy runs than the Pure
Retains a higher top-end speed range than the Deviate Pure Nitro and is preferred for pushing pace and track intervals
More stable and comfortable at easy paces but less snappy and energetic at faster paces; flatter rocker and more compressive foam; better for long easy runs whereas the Evo SL is better for speed work and tempo
Evo SL has more top-end speed and a more aggressive ride; Pure Nitro is better suited to easy/steady paces.
Similar lightweight setup, but without a plate
The Evo SL gives a little more bounce off the toe and a bit more oomph; the Deviate Pure felt flatter despite the 'Evo SL killer' hype
Same category of simple lightweight trainer
Marketed as an Evo SL killer on release, but the reviewers feel the Evo SL still has the better top-end speed range and is the shoe they'd pick for pushing pace or intervals
Evo SL is more rockered and faster at speed; Pure is more stable and comfortable at easier paces
Both put race-grade foam in a $150 daily trainer with similar versatility; the Evo SL Exo's Lightstrike Pro is denser with a more prominent rocker, preferred by bigger/taller runners, while the Deviate Pure is lighter and airier
Not the Evo SL killer people claim it to be
Very similar concept — a speed-focused plateless daily shoe
Ran side reps in both; the Puma gave less energy back at fast efforts
Lighter (235g vs 250g), more stable in midfoot and heel, more versatile with a better upper; the Evo SL counters with a more responsive Lightstrike Pro foam and a roomier fit
Evo SL has more pop, feels faster, and has better tongue and eyelet design; reviewer would choose Evo SL over Puma
Evo SL has 1mm more stack (39mm), 1mm less drop (7mm), weighs 4g more; Evo SL is bouncier and more aggressive with a more prominent rocker, better for faster work at 5K-10K pace; Pure is more stable, slightly softer, better for longer and steadier efforts, and accommodates wider feet less well
Contrasted as another single-slab foam shoe that, unlike the Puma, still delivers pop off the toe
Similar nice foam feeling underfoot, but the reviewer thinks the Deviate Pure is a bit more versatile and may work for more people because the Evo SL's high toe spring isn't for everyone
Pitched as a competitor at the same price; this is wider in the heel and feels less unstable, but the Evo SL is more nimble and up for it despite being slightly heavier, and has proven long-term durability
Adidas Adizero Evo SL — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , soft_plush feel , high energy return , neutral stability , aggressive rocker.
-
Ed Bud rates the Evo SL as a strong, fast shoe that many treat as a tempo option rather than a daily trainer; he personally finds the SC Rebel a little more enjoyable and versatile overall, but says the Evo SL still has a lot going for it, especially at a discount.
Ride:Lightstrike Pro foam has historically softened with wear across versions; some runners find it less stable on camber or debris because of the plate's position, though the reviewer rates it as stable relative to the SC Rebel and better at faster paces.
Fit:Minimal upper similar to the SC Rebel with comparable heel padding, though with a lower heel profile; no lockdown issues.
In their words: "feels like a tempo shoe" · "better shoe at pace" · "not the most stable"
-
The Run Testers consider the Adizero Evo SL the shoe that reset the price-to-performance bar for fast, versatile trainers, crediting it with reducing reliance on traditional dailies like the Pegasus, Ghost and Ride; after comparing it against nearly a dozen would-be rivals, none dethrone it as their default fast-training shoe.
Ride:Non-plated (nylon shank rather than a carbon plate), simple design with a genuine race-day-grade foam; very bouncy and energetic, naturally pushes pace faster, and is described as almost impossible to run slow in. Considered not the most stable shoe but very fun and fast, with an aggressive, high-rocker transition.
Fit:Upper tapers sharply around the little toe, which one reviewer found caused rubbing/a hot spot on a longer effort.
In their words: "a really good foam basically" · "really fun and it's fast" · "a lot of energy in it"
-
Ben Parkes enjoys this shoe for speed work and calls it great fun with a strong turn of speed, but flags a lack of stability as its main downside.
Ride:Very lightweight and fun to run fast in, using Lightstrike Pro super foam and a shank (rather than a plate) for stability.
In their words: "really good fun to run in" · "lack of stability"
-
Ben calls this one of the best shoes on the market right now — Light Strike Pro midsole with no plate makes it an outstanding speed and tempo option, though the soft, bouncy midsole may not suit runners needing stability.
In their words: "by far one of the best shoes on the market" · "midsole in this one is a little bit soft and bouncy"
Puma Deviate Pure Nitro — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , neutral stability .
-
A team favorite lightweight daily trainer that Nate still rates highly, though in this head-to-head he leans toward the firmer, more rocker-forward Fila Speedtempo Plus.
Ride:Softer and slightly more compliant than the Fila, with a flatter transition and more forefoot flexibility rather than a rocker-driven roll.
Fit:Slightly snugger than the Fila Speedtempo Plus with a touch more width through the midfoot/ground-contact platform.
In their words: "one of the favorites" · "felt a little bit flatter"
-
The Run Testers see the Deviate Pure Nitro as a strong, similarly priced shoe that comes across more as a daily trainer than a speed shoe, so despite once being touted as an Evo SL rival, it doesn't count as an Evo SL killer.
Ride:Simple, very light Nitro supercritical PEBA foam, about the same weight or slightly lighter than the Evo SL; suits steady/easy paces better than flat-out speed and was tested directly back-to-back with the Evo SL in a track session.
In their words: "comes across actually as a daily trainer" · "I kind of love the pure"
-
Ben Parkes calls the Deviate Pure a standout of Puma's lineup — fast, light, fun, and comfortable enough for long runs, and more stable than the Adidas Evo Speed, if slightly less outright quick.
Ride:Plateless, lightweight, and versatile at both daily and race paces; comfortable enough for 24K straight out of the box.
Fit:Runs narrow — fine for standard/narrow feet, but wider feet should consider passing.
In their words: "a real gem of Puma's lineup" · "very fast and very fun"
-
A well-priced, roomy, higher-stack daily trainer that can double as a recovery/easy-day shoe — not exciting, but solid value.
In their words: "this hits the right notes for me"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the Adidas Adizero Evo SL if
- Runners wanting a light, nimble, kick-car style ride at an attractive price — EDDBUD
- A fast, bouncy speed shoe that also works as an all-rounder for runners who don't need stability — The Run Testers
- Speed sessions — fartleks, tempos, and thresholds — sitting between a daily trainer and dedicated speed shoe. — Ben Parkes
- Runners wanting a versatile, bouncy trainer for tempo runs, speed work, and shorter-distance racing (5K-10K). — The Run Testers
- Runners with slightly wider feet and midfoot/forefoot strikers who want a responsive plateless super-foam up-tempo trainer — FORDY RUNS
- Runners looking for a fast, lightweight, versatile trainer that excels at track reps, intervals, tempo and cruisey workouts while still being comfortable for easy runs. — The Run Testers
Consider the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro if
- Everyday daily training and long runs for runners wanting stability and comfort over speed; pairs well with a faster shoe for interval days. — The Run Testers
- Easy-to-steady daily training and everyday miles. — The Run Testers
- Runners who want a versatile do-it-all trainer with a snappier feel for faster efforts — Doctors of Running
- A budget speed-session shoe for tearing up speed reps. — Ben Parkes
- Versatile daily training shoe that can handle easy runs, long runs, and tempo work — Doctors of Running
- Daily training, tempo efforts, and short speed intervals for runners who want a lighter, more direct non-plated trainer. — The Run Testers
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the Adidas Adizero Evo SL and the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro?
The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is a speed trainer and the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro is a daily trainer. By the numbers, the Adidas Adizero Evo SL weighs 235g, has a 37mm heel stack and a 7mm drop, while the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro weighs 213g, has a 37mm heel stack and an 8mm drop. The Adidas Adizero Evo SL has a Nylon midfoot torsion shank (top-loaded; stability only, not a propulsion plate); the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro has none. MSRP is $150 for the Adidas Adizero Evo SL and $150 for the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro.
Should I buy the Adidas Adizero Evo SL or the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro?
EDDBUD on the Adidas Adizero Evo SL: Runners wanting a light, nimble, kick-car style ride at an attractive price. The Run Testers on the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro: Everyday daily training and long runs for runners wanting stability and comfort over speed; pairs well with a faster shoe for interval days.
Per EDDBUD, The Run Testers.
Has anyone reviewed both the Adidas Adizero Evo SL and the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro?
Yes — The Run Testers, Ben Parkes, Believe in the Run, Doctors of Running, Kofuzi, EDDBUD, and FORDY RUNS directly compared the Adidas Adizero Evo SL and the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro in their reviews.
Per The Run Testers, Ben Parkes, Believe in the Run, Doctors of Running, Kofuzi, EDDBUD, FORDY RUNS.
Which is lighter, the Adidas Adizero Evo SL or the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro?
The Puma Deviate Pure Nitro is lighter, at 213g versus 235g (men's 9) — about 22g less.