A strong all-rounder super-trainer that delivers exactly what the Deviate Nitro line is known for, with a roomier upper and slightly lower drop making it a worthwhile upgrade over v3. — FORDY RUNS
A solid update that keeps the Deviate DNA while trimming weight, softening the foam and lowering the drop; a capable plated daily trainer, though the $180 price puts it in tough company.
Best for: Budget-conscious runners wanting one versatile plated daily trainer for easy miles, tempo and fartlek.
Ben Parkes finds the Deviate Nitro 4 a solid, beginner-friendly entry into plated shoes with a smooth, flexible plate feel, but prefers the cheaper, lighter, more fun Deviate Pure at the current price.
Best for: Runners trying a plated shoe for the first time, or wanting a nimble winter race/parkrun option
A solid, versatile carbon-plated daily trainer with a good grip and wide enough use case range from easy jogging to 5K pace, though its lower stack limits it for longer runs over 90 minutes. Good value at £150 but not a standout bargain.
Best for: Runners wanting a versatile plated daily shoe for uptempo paces and budget race day use, particularly those training for 4+ hour marathons or 1:45+ half marathons.
The Deviate Nitro is close to a perfect lightweight trainer but sits just on the edge of too firm for heel strikers, with an outstanding upper that rivals the Adidas Evo SL.
A lightweight, versatile daily trainer at $170 that can do a bit of everything, but its very stiff forefoot plate makes it polarizing — great if the rocker lines up with your metatarsal heads, problematic if not.
Best for: Neutral runners wanting a lightweight, versatile do-it-all trainer whose mechanics align with a stiff forefoot rocker.
An excellent stiff, snappy carbon-plated trainer whose forefoot stiffness holds up over miles, best for runners whose toe joints line up with its rocker.
Best for: Runners wanting a stiff, snappy carbon-plated trainer for workouts and tempo, especially those with narrower feet or higher insteps.
Ed Barratt finds the Deviate Nitro comfortable and good for impact protection and lower weight, but feels it lacks the responsiveness or 'X factor' of the Hyperboost Run, calling it comfortable rather than standout.
A firm and uninspiring plated trainer that lacks the race-like feel and excitement of its predecessors, with the V2 still considered the standout in the line.
Decent tempo trainer with improved outsole and softer forefoot, but lockdown and tongue issues hold it back from being a major upgrade.
Best for: Longer runs with tempo injections for half/full marathon training
An aggressive tempo shoe with outstanding PumaGrip outsole that rewards fast running but is less versatile than its competitors.
Best for: Aggressive tempo runs and half/marathon race-pace training for runners who like a pronounced drop.
A strong all-rounder super-trainer that delivers exactly what the Deviate Nitro line is known for, with a roomier upper and slightly lower drop making it a worthwhile upgrade over v3.
Best for: A one-quiver super-trainer for runners who want a single shoe to handle easy runs, long runs, tempo work, and intervals.
Kofuzi rates the Deviate Nitro 4 as a perennial favorite tempo shoe, most alive at threshold-and-faster paces, but judges the SC Rebel to edge it out overall despite the Puma's slight speed advantage.
Best for: Threshold and faster tempo efforts, with growing daily-trainer versatility in v4
The DV84 is a substantial upgrade over prior versions, softening the ride while retaining responsiveness, making it more versatile as both a tempo and daily trainer shoe. Kofuzi rates it an excellent choice for uptempo and fartlek work, though notes the $170 price is $10 more than he feels it should be.
Best for: Tempo runs and hard workouts for runners wanting a versatile shoe that can also handle daily training
The Run Testers rank the Deviate Nitro a top value daily trainer — a balanced, stable PEBA-foam ride with standout wet-weather grip that punches above its price, even if it's not the most explosive shoe out there.
A solid improvement on the Deviate Nitro 3 and a competent do-it-all plated trainer, though outshone on bounce and snap by cheaper plate-free allrounders like the Evo SL and Endorphin Azura.
Best for: Runners wanting a versatile plated daily trainer with excellent wet-weather grip and a natural, controlled ride.
Reviewers note: True to size in UK 9.5; noticeably wider and less restrictive upper than v3, with good gusseted tongue and lockdown. No heat spots or rubbing.
Per FORDY RUNS.
The Puma Deviate Nitro 4 weighs about 241g (men's 9), has a 35.0mm heel stack and a 8.0mm heel-toe drop.
Reviewers compare the Puma Deviate Nitro 4 to Puma Deviate Nitro 3, ASICS Magic Speed, Adidas Adizero Boston 13, Saucony Endorphin Speed.
Per FORDY RUNS, EDDBUD, Kofuzi, Doctors of Running, The Run Testers, Believe in the Run, Ben Parkes.
Next Pair aggregates 15 expert reviews of the Puma Deviate Nitro 4, including FORDY RUNS, Doctors of Running, EDDBUD.
Per FORDY RUNS, Doctors of Running, EDDBUD.
Compared to other road speed training in the same lane.
